H.P. Lovecraft

H.P. Lovecraft (1890 – 1937), although relatively unknown during his own time, is one of the most important figures in horror fiction. His most notable creation was probably the cycle of stories known as the Cthulhu Mythos, a shared universe that has since been employed by many writers, most notably- for comic book fans, at least- Alan Moore.

Stories created within the Cthulhu Mythos usually take place in New England and center on the Great Old Ones, a fearsome assortment of powerful, grotesque alien deities who came from outer space and once ruled the Earth. These powerful beings are currently being held in abeyance, having fallen into a death-like sleep at some point in the distant past. The best known of these entities, but not necessarily the most powerful, is Cthulhu. Other key figures include Azathoth, the theological center of the mythos and Nyarlathotep, who does Azathoth's bidding.

The central theme of the Mythos is that the illusory nature of reality is a blessing. We do not see every aspect of reality, and we would surely lose our minds if we did. In the tradition of the Mythos, forbidden knowledge results in death and/or insanity.

Alan Moore has written prose stories set in the Cthulhun Mythos, and his works are sprinkled with references and homages to Lovecraft. Lovecraft's influence on Moore can definitely be seen in Swamp Thing, where Moore creates a mythos that is not unlike the Cthulhu Mythos.

Many books and dissertations have been written about Lovecraft. Other than his influence on Alan Moore, the important thing to know about Lovecraft is that he was one of the first writers to utilize what we would call a 'continuity'.