DC’s Biggest Missed Opportunity: Alan Moore’s Unpublished Masterpiece

DC Comics is renowned for producing some of the finest comics ever made, shaping the way we know and love superheroes today. The evolution of these iconic characters has resonated deeply with fans throughout different periods in history. Moreover, DC played a pivotal role in the growth and maturation of the comic book medium, a transformation that took off in the 80s when they welcomed legendary writer Alan Moore into their ranks. Moore introduced an intellectual depth to American comics previously found only in British, European, and Japanese comics, elevating the quality of American comics significantly. However, this collaboration was short-lived as disputes over the ownership of ‘Watchmen’ led to Moore leaving the publisher. Regrettably, this premature ending also denied readers what could have been an unparalleled superhero event comic.

Back in 1987, Alan Moore conceived a concept for superhero comics that could have revolutionized the genre — a project titled “Twilight of the Superheroes.” After years of being passed around online, this idea was eventually published by DC in 2020. Given Moore’s reputation as a talented writer, it’s no surprise that his proposal for the series was exceptional. Unfortunately, Moore and DC’s falling out prevented us from enjoying many captivating stories, but losing “Twilight of the Superheroes” is arguably DC’s biggest unrealized potential.

Twilight of the Superheroes Would Have Changed Comics Forever

Alan Moore found issue with the continuous nature of superhero comics and the beloved events within them. Specifically, he felt that the absence of a conclusion detracted from stories about people in costumes fighting one another, and this sentiment contributed to the creation of “Twilight of the Superheroes“. Moore aimed to provide the DC Universe with a definite ending, one rooted in the present, through a significant event series set two decades ahead. His goal was to construct a large-scale crossover that would be coherent for readers and not leave them feeling like they needed additional books or were missing parts of what they already had purchased.

As a devoted film enthusiast, I yearned for full creative autonomy over this project; I was eager to contribute to the advertising campaigns, mentor fellow creators, brainstorm merchandise such as t-shirts, toys, and role-playing games, much like my ambitions with Watchmen at DC post-publication. This story had the potential to revolutionize comics once more, a thought that leaves me in awe. Regrettably, it’s a tantalizing what-if scenario as DC and I were unable to reconcile our differences, leaving fans like myself with mere glimpses of the extraordinary possibilities that might have been realized had Twilight materialized.

In this story, Alan Moore’s character John Constantine and Rip Hunter journey through time with a mission to prevent a disaster in their future, which is typical superhero business. As the narrative unfolds, readers discover a chilling secret about DC twenty years from now: The superhero community has divided into eight ruling factions, including the House of Steel (led by Superman) and the House of Thunder (led by Shazam). These houses essentially govern the world, with supervillains vanished and aliens expelled from Earth. However, a union between the Houses of Steel and Thunder is imminent through marriage, causing chaos and leading to an enormous battle. It’s eventually revealed that Constantine and Hunter didn’t travel back in time to stop anything, but to ensure their future remained as they remembered, as the final battle would have weakened the superhumans’ control over Earth.

This proposed project, dubbed “Twilight of the Superheroes,” was an incredibly ambitious crosser-over endeavor. Not only did it plan to resurrect the DC Multiverse that had recently been concluded, but also present grittier, more Moore-esque versions of the superheroes – echoing Alan Moore’s work on “Watchmen.” This ambitious project would have marked a significant shift for DC Comics and served as a fitting conclusion to Moore’s mission of maturing and complexifying superhero narratives. Truly, it would have been an epic culmination indeed.

Even Though It Never Existed, Twilight of the Superheroes Still Had a Hold over DC History

Examining Moore’s blueprint for “Twilight of the Superheroes,” it’s clear what DC enthusiasts missed out on. This could have been the finest DC narrative ever penned, without a doubt. Given that this was Alan Moore working at his full potential, nothing short of extraordinary could have resulted. The web is brimming with information about Moore’s proposal, making it simple to appreciate the mind-blowing ingenuity that the story would have embodied. The plot was so remarkable that DC has repeatedly drawn inspiration from it over the years.

Comics such as “Armageddon 2001” and “Kingdom Come” take inspiration from “Twilight of the Superheroes”. A single panel in “Infinite Crisis”, during its fifth and sixth issues, pays tribute to the unpublished story. However, Grant Morrison’s “Final Crisis” concludes the DC Multiverse, but it doesn’t incorporate any other ideas from “Twilight of the Superheroes”.

Ever since the proposal was made, DC has held onto it and has the right to utilize its concepts. Yet, it’s undeniable that if Moore’s vision for the book had come to fruition, it would have revolutionized the industry like no other. In 1987, DC was experiencing a resurgence; post-“Crisis,” they were brimming with energy not felt since the early days of the Silver Age. Had Moore contributed to this, it would have been remarkable. However, the absence of “Twilight of the Superheroes” will forever be regretted by DC fans, as they can’t help but wonder what might have been.

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2025-03-02 07:10