The set-up was:
“Stories and myth are the ground that magic, and culture in general, are rooted in. Although many magicians and pagans endeavour to base their practice on authentic historical roots, there are other ways… using the fictional tales that fill our culture as a modern mythology. Movies, TV, SF and fantasy fiction and comic books can all offer insights on magic and mysticism.
Cat Vincent coined the term Guttershaman to describe this perspective – an urban path based on the mix of ‘fact’ and ‘fiction’ with personal experience. He talks about some of the inspiration he has found along this path, with particular reference to the noted comic writers and practicing mages Alan Moore and Grant Morrison.”
A few links for those that braved my mad rantings… (and thanks for a great reception!)
All the Guttershaman posts are collected here – start at the bottom!
On Alan Moore and Idea Space:
http://technoccult.net/archives/2010/04/22/alan-moore/
http://www.angelfire.com/comics/eroomnala/Lautwein.html
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article822552.ece
On V for Vendetta, Anonymous and Scientology:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Chanology
On Grant Morrison and The Invisibles:
http://technoccult.net/archives/2010/04/22/grant-morrison/
The canonical Invisibles site was Barbelith – which developed from a fan page to one of the most interesting occult discussion groups around. Quiet these days but much food for thought there.
A very detailed Morrison interview, covering which bits of The Invisibles are purely autobiographical:
http://comicnews.info/?p=3269
How close is The Matrix to The Invisibles? Here’s 15 points of similarity – Morrison claims over 80!
http://everything2.com/title/The+Invisibles+vs.+The+Matrix
On Hypersigils:
http://www.barbelith.com/topic/20184
http://technoccult.net/archives/2010/02/18/hypersigils-reconsidered/
On fiction and reality merging, comic books and Moore/Morrison both:
forum discussions of The Matrix lead me to The Invisibles, getting back into comics after a ten year hiatus.