Skip to content

Dr-manhattan Quote by Alan Moore

“The photograph is in my hand. It is the photograph of a man and a woman. They are at an amusement park, in 1959. In twelve seconds time, I drop the photograph to the sand at my feet, walking away. It’s already lying there, twelve seconds into the future. Ten seconds now. The photograph is in my…” quote by Alan Moore
Download Open image
““The photograph is in my hand. It is the photograph of a man and a woman. They are at an amusement park, in 1959. In twelve seconds time, I drop the photograph to the sand at my feet, walking away. It’s already lying there, twelve seconds into the future. Ten seconds now. The photograph is in my hand. I found it in a derelict bar at the gila flats test base, twenty-seven hours ago. It’s still there, twenty-seven hours into the past, in its frame, in the darkened bar. I’m still there, looking at it. The photograph is in my hand. The woman takes a piece of popcorn between thumb and forefinger. The ferris wheel pauses. Seven seconds now. It’s October, 1985. I’m on Mars. It’s July, 1959. I’m in New Jersey, at the Palisades Amusement Park. Four seconds, three. I’m tired of looking at the photograph now. I open my fingers. It falls to the sand at my feet. I am going to look at the stars. They are so far away. And their light takes so long to reach us… All we ever see of stars are their old photohraphs.””

Alan Moore

About This Quote

Source Story: From the comic series "The Courtyard", 2002

The passage reflects on how photographs capture moments that become distant memories, much like starlight that shows us the past rather than the present.

In simple terms: Photos are memories frozen in time, like ancient starlight.

Key Takeaway

Recognize that what we see is often a relic of the past.

Themes

memory time perception nostalgia cosmos

Mood

reflective melancholic wonderful

Type

literary philosophical poetic

When to use this quote

  • reading comics
  • contemplating history
  • stargazing
  • photography
  • philosophical reflection

Key Concepts

photography relativity subjectivity temporal displacement

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does remembering shape our present?
  • What does it mean to view the past as a present reality?
A Different Perspective

The narrative may romanticize distance, overlooking the immediacy of lived experience.

4.7 out of 5 (6 ratings)

More by Alan Moore

Explore all 460 Alan Moore quotes

More Dr-manhattan quotes

Browse all 3 Dr-manhattan quotes