Alan Moore is a celebrated writer of comics and graphic novels whose work includes V for Vendetta (1982, with artist David Lloyd) and Watchmen (1986-87, with artist Dave Gibbons). Moore became a big name in the comics industry in the early 1980s with the Miracleman series (originally Marvelman) and a run of Swamp Thing for DC Comics. Along with Frank Miller, Moore is credited with bringing maturity and complexity to the comics -- and "graphic novels" -- and revitalizing the industry. Watchmen, his dark and ironic take on a world with washed-up superheroes, was the first graphic novel to win a Hugo Award. By the end of the '80s he was publishing his own graphic novels, as well as contributing Batman and Superman stories. Moore has had his quarrels with mainstream publishers over the years, but he sells books and has earned a reputation as one of the industry's top writers. His work includes From Hell (1996, with artist Eddie Campbell) The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2000-03, with artist Kevin O'Neill) and Promethea (2001-05, with artist J.H. Williams III).

Extra credit: Movies made from Moore's work include: 2001's From Hell, the Jack the RIpper story starring Johnny Depp; 2003's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, starring Sean Connery; 2006's V for Vendetta, inspired by Guy Fawkes and starring Natalie Portman; and 2009's Watchmen, starring Billy Crudup and Malin Akerman.