The rumors are true, the rumors are true! Graphic novel god Alan Moore and musical genius Mike Patton (along with another fine musician, Justin Broadrick) are teaming up for a graphic-audio-novel.
Murmurs about this possible project have been floating around the ‘nets for some time now but just today the Guardian newspaper got a confirmation on the project.
This is just the kind of multi-genre, multi-media business that will make the world a better place. “Why?,” you may find yourself asking. Well, in this ADHD-soaked universe in which we live it’s pretty often that we find ourselves staring at a computer, listening to music/a podcast/tv, texting and having a conversation all at the same time. (I’m currently sitting in a dark room listening only to the sound of the wind and cars driving by with a mere six windows open–and this seems like quite the under-tasking.)
Like it or not, multi-sensory artwork is likely sticking around. The line between journalist and documentarian blurs as news moves online and people stop reading; academics are forced to leave their ivory towers and communicate with the larger world; and writers have to grab readers’ attention with something other than just text. Graphic novels are a natural place for this kind of cooperation to begin as they’re already considered, by most, though not all, to be un-literary, what with their pretty pictures and what-not. (And, of course, as we all know they’re one of the most likely of artworks to be turned into film.)
And, for those who need a little Patton fix after all this good news, here ya go: