Watchmen

Rating:
Summary: THE BEST
Review: If you want to look for the best in graphic storytelling, look no further thn WATCHMEN. Without a doubt, Alan Moore is THE comic book writer, and Dave Gibbons is the best at telling a story with pictures. At first, the conflict and plot of the story looks simple, but then it develops with fascinating complexity. WATCHMEN tries to explore the psychology behind superheroes: what makes these people put on a mask and go out there fighting criminals. And it's not only a superhero story: it has elements of romance, mystery, sience-fiction, even fantasy. But don't let the word "superhero" scare you , if you're one of those people who don't like to read "kiddie stuff". I asure you this book is no kiddie stuff; it is the best fiction you can get in this or any other medium.

Rating:
Summary: Transcends the comic genre
Review: Multi-textured and moving, this is certainly a landmark comic. Still as fresh and enjoyable as it was a decade ago

Rating:
Summary: OH MY GOD.
Review: Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons offer up true groundbreaking work that elevates the the graphic novel into its most realized, and most outstanding form.

"Watchmen" operates on a different level of complexity. The plot winds and twists its way through harrowing roads, shoring up a full-load of suspense that, at the end, (you wont find the end here, you gotta read it yourself!) leaves you satisfied, relieved and amazed.

The characters are inspired and well thought-out. They are lovingly portrayed, staying within the bounds of believable motives and true human depth and intelligence.

The illustration is beautifully rendered. It is eloquent, brief, with no stray frames that slow down the story. Hand these guys an award for keeping with the mood and vision of the book throughout.

Cry, laugh, read this over and over,. "Watchmen" is landmark art and inspired "craftsmanship" destined to be an illustrated classic.

Rating:
Summary: Powerfully written human drama. Read it again!
Review: Great book. If you are trying to find out about the plot before you read, STOP. Just order the thing. You do NOT want to find out all the major plot twists before you get into it. It really is an illustrated novel, and should be treated as such. It is (as I said) wonderful human drama, but nothing is sugarcoated, and there is a measurable amount of violence (among other things). Parents, if your kid wants this because he heard how great it is, try and censor it some before you hand it over, but DON'T go through and pick at it's shortcomings. It was nominated for a Hugo award (the sci-fi equivalent of a Newberry) which, in all fairness, it should have recieved, and needs a thorough reading before a judgement is made

Rating:
Summary: The best book in the world. Period.
Review: Of all the books in my collection this ranks as my favourite. Yes, that's right, I said 'books'. The Watchmen, although released as a series of comic books, still tells one of the most inventive and intriguing stories of any I have ever read. To describe the plot completely would detract from the pleasure of reading it for oneself but, in a nutshell, it concerns the loves and lives of a group of non-superpowered superheroes struggling to come to terms with a world that no longer wants their help. This and other plot threads are told against a backdrop of one mans insane quest for world peace. The artwork and rhetoric blend together to form a seemless collage of story-telling genius and with characters that are so alive you'll want to start again from the beginning when you've finished, this is a book I defy you to dislike. I must have read The Watchmen over 10 times and still I find subtle nuances in the storyline and artwork that I hadn't noticed on previous readings. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Rating:
Summary: awesome, baby
Review: Yes, this is an graphic novel, but every page carries every ounce of narrative density and depth that you'd expect from a more text-heavy tome. Frankly, there's so much to say about this work that I hardly know where to begin, so I won't. Instead, I'll just heartily recommend it to everyone--not just my comic geek friends. In fact, I would especially recommend it to friends of mine who don't read comics or graphic novels because they think those things are (a). just for kids or (b). not as satisfying as a more traditionally formatted read.

Rating:
Summary: Quis custodiet ipsos custodes (Who watches the watchmen?)
Review: Comic books superheroes are basically fascist vigilantes, with Superman and his dedication to truth, justice and the American way being the exception that proves the rule. Both "Watchmen" and "The Dark Knight Returns," the two greatest examples of graphic storytelling, deal explicitly with the underlying fear the ordinary citizenry have of the demi-gods they worship. The one inherent advantage that "Watchman" has over Frank Miller's classic tale is that it requires no knowledge of the existing mythos of its characters because Dr. Manhattan, Ozymandias, Rorschach, Nite Owl, Silk Spectre, the Comedian and the rest of the former members of the Crimebusters.

The brainchild of writer Alan Moore ("Swamp Thing," "V for Vendetta," "From Hell") and artist Dave Gibbons ("Rogue Trooper," "Doctor Who," "Green Lantern"), "Watchmen" was originally published by DC Comics in twelve issues in 1986-87. Moore and Gibbons won the Best Writer/Artist combination award at the 1987 Jack Kirby Comics Industry Awards ceremony. The central story in "Watchmen" is quite simple: apparently someone is killing off or discrediting the former Crimebusters. The remaining members end up coming together to discover the who and the why behind it all, and the payoff to the mystery is most satisfactory. But what makes "Watchmen" so special is the breadth and depth of both the characters and their respective subplots: Dr. Manhattan dealing with his responsibility to humanity given his god-like powers; Nite Owl having trouble leaving his secret identity behind; Rorschach being examined by a psychiatrist. Each chapter offers a specific focus on one of the characters, yet advances the overall narrative.

Beyond that the intricate narrative, Moore and Gibbons offer two additional levels to the story. First, each chapter is followed by a "non-comic" section that develops more of the backstories, such as numerous excerpts from Hollis Mason's autobiography "Under the Hood" or Professor Mitlon Glass' "Dr. Manhattan: Super-Powers and the Superpowers," an interview with Adrian Veidt, or reports from the police files of Walter Joseph Kovacs. Second, almost every issue has scenes from "Tales of the Black Freighter," a comic-book being read by a kid near a newsstand, which offers an allegorical perspective on the main plot line.

"Watchmen" certainly nudged the comics industry in the right direction towards greater sophistication and intelligence, although a full appreciation of its significance is always going to be lost on the bean counters. The Book Club Edition of "Watchmen" offers the teaser: "He's America's ultimate weapon . . . and he's about to desert to Mars." As a representation of the work as a whole that description is simply stupid, especially since it is followed by a glowing recommendation by Harlan Ellison that concludes "anyone who misses this milestone event in the genre of the fantastic is a myopic dope." If you ever spent time reading and enjoying any superhero comic book, you will appreciate what you find in "Watchmen."

Rating:
Summary: Arguably the greatest comic of the 1980s (with Dark Knight)
Review: I read this book once, in 1994, while I returned from L.A. to West Palm Beach, FL. to start my college career. I was in a Batman kick (vs. my usual Iron Man addiction) and was trying to find Iron Man and Batman books to read on the flight back when I found this much talked about book.

It's scary how great of a writer Moore is and Gibbons' art is fantastic!

READ THIS BOOK! Then READ DARK KNIGHT RETURNS!

Rating:
Summary: Good if you understand it
Review: I won't waste time praising Watchmen. There are several negative reviews here many of which level the accusation of it being boring. These reviews are evidently written by people who didn't understand the premise and appreciate the subtle nuance of the writing. Don't let these reviews put you off reading one of the finest books of any sort published in the last 30 years

Rating:
Summary: Best. Comic. Ever.
Review: Not only is this the best comic I've ever read, it's one of the best books I've ever read. It really takes multiple reads to understand how truly genius it is. I stopped collecting comics when I was a teenager, but I still pick up an Alan Moore graphic novel every now and then, because he's the best there is, and pretty much everything he does is incredible. If you only read one comic in your life, make it Watchmen.
Or New Mutants 94.