Batman writer urges readers to fight back and publish their own newspapers

Alan Moore, the famous comic book writer might be better known for his work with superheroes like Batman and Superman but, like many of his characters, he has a secret past.

Moore started his career in the regional press, including a stint at the Northants Herald and Post which published its final copy on December 1^st.

Moore contributed to the final issue by resurrecting his old comic strip Maxwell the Magic Cat published using the pseudonym Jill de Ray.

He also contributed a guest editorial to the newspaper where he highlighted the dangers of a diminished local, regional and national press and the threat of celebrity gossip squeezing out the opportunity for real news to flourish.

Moore said: “What’s important here is that regional papers like this are undergoing an extinction even, along with a number of their national counterparts.

“This means that vital information about the place we actually spend our lives in gets increasingly squeezed out in favour of the latest international celebrity divorce or the ocean of reality-warping weasel faeces available online. Who cares about collapsing public services when Brad and Jen/Angelina/whoever are having such a rotten time?

“As once again the lights go out across the West we may come to depend more than ever on local enterprises, co-ops, alternatives magazines and Arts Labs, which means everyone pitching in.

“By all means mourn the passing of this venerable, important paper. But then go out and start a better one.”

Perhaps Moore is right. The news industry needs a new hero. Someone who can stand up for real issues and make a difference in the communities which they serve.

If you have an opinion and the desire to get your message out there – you might be the very superhero Alan Moore is looking for. Just because old school publishers like Trinity Mirror no longer have faith in local heroes, doesn’t mean there isn’t room for them.