Utopia: The Day the Earth Stood Still

"UTOPIA
The day the earth stood still." (Moore 13, Chapter 10, on sign on panel 9.)

"The Day the Earth Stood Still" is a sci-fi film made in 1951, evidently being shown here at the "Utopia" theater. The film is about an alien that comes to Earth bearing a message during World War II: Earth must stop its fighting and destructive behavior, or be destroyed itself. Alan Moore is saying something by placing this poster on a sign that says "Utopia" above it: he says that this is a message we actually need to hear if we are to create any kind of Utopia or happy community here on earth or in the universe: we must stop fighting. However, this sign also has another meaning. Like Veidt's logic, the aliens in the movie think that it would be for the good and well-being of all the universe if Earth was eliminated. Killing the inhabitants of earth, while being a loss, would save many more lives. This is a theme throughout the book, as it is mentioned here, in mentions of atomic bombs (like the one dropped on Hiroshima), the possibility of nuclear war, and Veidt's plan, in which he sacrifices New York City to create world peace and save the rest of the world. This sign says that this is the right way for things to be done, and this kind of sacrifice is the only way to create a true Utopia.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043456/