Promethea: Alan Moore's Work of Wonder

I wanted to treat myself this morning and to write about whatever I wanted. I woke up feeling somewhat refreshed as I awoke at 4:30 am but was able to go back to sleep to 5:30 am as my daughter woke up crying for me. Still 6 1/2 hours of good sleep does the body, mind and soul wonders. Chronic lack of sleep and me, well, we don't mix well. Anyone who knows me well has seen how I don't function very well. It's embarrassing to be weak like that, but sometimes you don't have much choice as it's not physically possible to get more sleep. What's the hardest thing is to be moving about the world, like a zombie, trying to function and able to do so, but making good judgments is difficult. Yet a good night of sleep can do wonders for me.

I did get to sleep early and I gave myself the freedom to write about whatever I wanted today and Alan Moore's "Promethea" comic books came to mind. I think partly because of the ebb and flow nature of Moore's work--my unconscious mind had been flowing in and out of dreams all night long. Strange, odd dreams, but ones that make sense to me as I move along on my journey.

Last year a good friend had been reading Promethea and she kept telling me how much I would like it. Earlier this year, I was able to borrow the graphic novels from a mutual friend and delved into the crazy and wonderful mind of Alan Moore. Last year I read "Watchmen" for the first time and, although I did find it interesting, I thought the ending a out there. Seemed out of left field for me, but I will give Moore credit for trying to tie the storyline up in a unique way. Having somewhat liked "Watchmen," I didn't think it would hurt to read "Promethea." And I'm glad I did.

I have made a conscious effort to read, listen and watch books/music/films that are atypical to my usual taste as a means to broaden my experience and to also help with my creativity. I had thought that I would enjoy reading "Promethea" because my Masters of Arts English Literature thesis was entitled "Memory and the Quest for Self: A Jungian Reading of Alice Walker and Margaret Atwood." There are a lot of similarities in the psychological aspects of "Promethea" and my thesis as both Moore and I tried, as men, to get to the core of a woman's individuation process. How a man could understand a woman's path toward self-actualization is about as clear as a goat can understand what it's like to be grass, well, not that bad, but I think you see my point here in that I claim to be no expert.

As a man, I wanted to study and explore through two literary authors their protagonists' journey to self-actualization and healing. From the beginning of time, we humans have had to struggle against adversity. We are damaged, banged up, beaten and abused. Yet we survive, no thrive, and move on to live productive lives. How is that? Humans have committed the most insane atrocities against each other, but we still, slowly, move forward.

Alan Moore's "Promethea" is a work of beauty as he tells the "story of Sophie Bangs, a college student from an alternate futuristic New York City in 1999, who embodies the powerful entity known as Promethea whose task it is to bring the Apocalypse." Along the way, Sophie explores many religious and spiritual traditions as she begins to understand who she is and can be as Promethea--her alter-ego superhero form. To say that "Promethea" is a work that goes beyond the normal comic book storylines is a bit of an understatement, and why I enjoyed it so much. There are no definite answers in the book, but there is a journey of self-discovery that is painted in broad, colorful, alternating art styles. The artwork alone is worth the price of admission as each section of the journey through the planes that Sophie/Promethea travel is represented by a different art style. And from talking to women about the story, they've told me that Moore does nicely capture a woman's inner thoughts and emotions on the page.

This comic book series is not for everyone. If you're a regular comic book fan (which I am not), you might not like this series because it's not so much a story about one bad guy versus good guys, but the journey is the point. It really is. If you're not into comic books, but enjoy reading something out of the ordinary and are open to the graphic novel form, then go run out and by this. I suspect that 98% of people out there won't have any desire or clue to read this and that's a shame because the stigma of a comic book series needs to be erased and put aside. Just as millions of adults are shaking their heads in wonderful surprise that they enjoyed "Harry Potter" and the "Twilight" series, it would not be much of a leap for a lover of those works to pick up "Promethea." Yes, it's different as there aren't many words, but it's well worth the journey. It's about the path we're on and the present--not the destination.

Comments

[MikeLuoma]

"Promethea" is a brilliant piece of work, isn't it, Ron? And you didn't even touch on the Kabbalistic explorations and magick elements of the later books. There are so many layers - so many arcane concepts crammed in and thrown at you to digest - it's a feast of knowledge and entertainment.

I picked up the first book of "Promethea" a couple of years ago after Douglas Wolk wrote about it in his book "Reading Comics" (a good read in its own right, btw). Found myself devouring "Promethea" and almost possessed by it - had to get each of the other four books as I finished the one before it! It's a powerful work.

Great to see that you appreciate it, too, Ron!

[Ron Vitale]

Mike,

I agree that its a powerful piece. Im glad I was open to reading it!

[Natalie]

Ron,

I'm so glad you loved this comic book series!

Sophie Bangs.

Sophia. Banging.

Oh the many threads that connect the Universe!

Great post. Reminds me of your post about the hero's journey that Bella takes in the Twilight series.

[Ron Vitale]

Thank you. Its also interesting to read Mikes comments here to see that Im not the only guy who was really impressed with Promethea. Definitely, a banging series (pun intended). And, yes, I had wanted to write something similar to the Bella post. I like seeing patterns in works and try to compare them to help make sense of life.

[Julia]

Ron,

I can't tell you how amazing it was to click on your blog and the first thing that pops up is Promethea. I just reread the series again. Sophie's complex journey through the innerworkings of both the physical and immaterial world get me every time. And there's always something new to discover in her story. I continue to be floored that you love it.

And I will (begrudgingly) admit that you put forth a pretty compelling defense of Bella. Even if I still think she doesn't hold a candle to Promethea.

[Ron Vitale]

Julia: Thank you for the comment. Let me agree with you. I love the Twilight series--I really do, but comparing Bella to Promethea is like comparing apples and oranges. If I were with my back against the wall and the Apocalypse was coming, Id be ringing Promethea up in a heartbeat. Its not that I am trying to put down Bella, but the nature of her character is so different. Promethea went on an amazing journey. Bellas was more (sorry to say this) mundane and pedestrian--though I like to hope that her new found powers at the end of the series (and her near immortality) give her the tools she needs to grow into a woman of power.