What images immediately embody rebellion in recent decades? Let me suggest two: the smiley face for the ecstasy generation in the late 80s and early 90s, and the V mask which is currently the icon of global anti-capitalist protest. Both images have spread beneath the level of corporate dictat: neither were concocted by an advertising agency. Both were, and are, recognisable across the planet, and were communicated as memes from user to user.
More remarkably, both emerged from the work of one man - Alan Moore, a working-class Northampton comics writer with a polymath's range of references, and a really rather scary beard. It is hard to suggest another creative artist - certainly not a British one - who has had such an impact on popular culture and above all popular protest.The smiley face came from Watchmen, his seminal counter-factual exploration of superheroes and politics...
The smiley face came from Watchmen, his seminal counter-factual exploration of superheroes and politics...
― 10. “Pour Some Sugar On Me” – Tom Cruise (contenderizer), Friday, 11 May 2012 23:36 (eleven years ago) link
that is all wrong
― Roger Barfing (Shakey Mo Collier), Friday, 11 May 2012 23:39 (eleven years ago) link
OG smiley face was created by an advertising agency, V's Guy Fawkes mask is obviously more of a folk thing but is owned by Time Warners.
― Roger Barfing (Shakey Mo Collier), Friday, 11 May 2012 23:40 (eleven years ago) link
yeah, i'd intended to cut the last couple sentences out of the first quote block. i'm okay, for the sake of argument, with the suggestion that these are important symbols of rebellion.
― 10. “Pour Some Sugar On Me” – Tom Cruise (contenderizer), Friday, 11 May 2012 23:45 (eleven years ago) link
you know who should have directed this? the ghost of alan clarke.
― jesus christ (strongo hulkington's ghost dad), Friday, 11 May 2012 23:56 (eleven years ago) link
was gonna go for whoever did that 60s Batman movie
― like Joe Pasquale and Gandhi (Noodle Vague), Friday, 11 May 2012 23:58 (eleven years ago) link
sorry is that what happened irl?
― like Joe Pasquale and Gandhi (Noodle Vague), Friday, 11 May 2012 23:59 (eleven years ago) link
adam west/burt ward v for vendetta would be good too
― jesus christ (strongo hulkington's ghost dad), Saturday, 12 May 2012 00:00 (eleven years ago) link
burt ward has a look of skinheady sadsack about him
― like Joe Pasquale and Gandhi (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 12 May 2012 00:03 (eleven years ago) link
If the screenwriters had rewritten the movie so that Stephen Fry was the Big Brother, then it would have been awesome.― The Edge of Gloryhole (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, June 15, 2011 2:17 PM (10 months ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― The Edge of Gloryhole (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, June 15, 2011 2:17 PM (10 months ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
have never seen this movie but knew stephen fry was in it and until now had assumed he was the big brother, just like how when i heard he was in sherlock holmes 2 A GAME OF SHADOWS i assumed he was moriarty. but he wasn't. what the hell. how hard is this.
― their private gesture for bison (difficult listening hour), Saturday, 12 May 2012 16:39 (eleven years ago) link
Somehow I never got around to watching this until last night. Mild head trip watching it now in 2018 looking back at 2006 potential future history but it is as politically astute and timely as pages 4-5 of the Maximum Rock & Roll letters column from 1985. Commodify your dissent!
― Elvis Telecom, Tuesday, 2 October 2018 21:16 (five years ago) link
this is a funny thread.
― Οὖτις, Tuesday, 2 October 2018 21:43 (five years ago) link
this was better than decent tbh, I'd much lower hopes for it but flung it on last night to good effect personally speaking
― Ár an broc a mhic (darraghmac), Saturday, 29 January 2022 21:04 (two years ago) link
I really liked it!
― mardheamac (gyac), Saturday, 29 January 2022 21:15 (two years ago) link