Watchmen

Rating:
Summary: Everyone in comics recommends this book, give it a try!
Review: Of course this is a very good book, almost everyone in the comic genre raves about Watchmen, depressing and dark but hey if you are into dark emotions this will do the trick. Artwork is good but not great, dialog is OK. Points are made with the intricate story lines and the feelings this book emotes within the reader. Spend the $18 and buy a copy to for your collection Not James Joyce but its only suppossed to be a graphic novel.
One of the best of its kind, not as good as Swamp Thing.

Rating:
Summary: Good, if a bit overrated
Review: I am not one to discount the graphic novel as a form of literature. Dan Clowes, Chris Ware, and Harvey Pekar have turned in some absolutely amazing work, comparable to any piece of literature.

WATCHMEN is in the more traditional form of superhero stories. On that level, it is indeed probably one of the greats.

But, for those that aren't into superhero comics (like myself) it isn't that strong of a story. Parts of it felt too derivative of TAXI DRIVER. (And on another influence, the story itself in some ways seems to have inspired THE INCREDIBLES) The story really wasn't all that involving. I found it difficult to continue on reading at times since I wasn't all that interested.

The graphics as well aren't the greatest, with the typical faded, not very colorful DC Comic look which I was never a fan of.

It does have its moments though. Surprisingly, some of the strongest writing is in the between sections segments where there are lenghty excerpts from the autobiography of one of the characters talked about.

It is worth reading if you are a fan of superhero comics, but if you aren't, it may not live up to the hype.

Rating:
Summary: Flat out amazing...just incredible!
Review: I just finished reading perhaps one of the best works of literature i've ever laid eyes upon. And it was a graphic novel.

Most people criticize comics as the stuff of adolescent boys, something that dreams and fantasies are made of. Watchmen is different. It was written way back in 1986, so its by far nothing new. Even so, Watchmen has a definite adult theme (when i say 'graphic' novel, i don't just mean pictures), and im sure most people would have little trouble getting into it. The themes of humanity and philosophy are better than most books that Ive read.

Watchmen takes place in 1985, mostly in New York. In 1977, an act was passed banning all 'vigilantes'...but you can call them superheros. So, years later, all of the retired superheros are busy carrying out a normal, every day life. That is, until October 12th, 1985, when a former comrade, Edward Blake "The Comedian", is brutally murdered. The only one still acting as a Vigilante, Rorschach (Roor-shark), suspects something and begins to investigate. Rorschach begins to piece together a mystery that he dubs the "Mask Killer" as more vigilantes are killed. The most powerful superhero, Jon "Dr. Manhattan", is exiled from planet earth (Jon is the only superhero in the book with the typical superhuman powers, everyone else is decidedly human) and then things take a serious turn south. World war three looms near as Russian troops invade Afghanistan and the threat of full scale nuclear war seems very real. Rorschach still believes his theory that the killings and war are connected, but has a tough time convincing his fellow vigilantes. The tension mounts very quickly as the chapters unfold.

Thats the basic story, but theres plenty more to it. There is TONS of depth to the characters, each one has his or her back story explained thoroughly. This book has everything from immense personal conflicts to political dilemmas. The storytelling is just flat out amazing, through the cunning use of flashbacks and alternate themes, its seems very much like an extremely well directed movie. There are plenty of details to watch for in many of the panels, and writers Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons make sure to bring past occurrences up again and again...there isn't a wasted scene in the book. I was blown away at just how everything was so thought out. The characters are memorable too, and are all very human, something most superhero stories lack. Rorschach is now my favorite superhero, and you'll see why after a few pages with this mysterious, bad ass, masked, monotone figure. Everything about this book is just awesome...no wonder it won the Hugo Award in 1988, the prestigious Science Fiction award that the likes of Orson Scott Card have won.

Sure there are better drawn comics out there, but few things can match Watchmen's storytelling, story, characters, and presentation. As the back of the book reads, "This is the book that changed an industry and challenged a medium. If you've never read a graphic novel, then Watchmen is the one to start with. And even if you have, it's time to read it again."

I don't know how to say just how good this really is, Watchmen is beyond a 10/10.

Highly Recommended.


OH, and it's now being made into a major motion picture! Directed by Paul Greengrass (Bourne Supremacy) and screenplay by our very own Solid Snake...David Hayter. Hayter's screenplay is said to be the best comic book-to-screen adaptation ever. I cant wait!

Rating:
Summary: In a class by itself
Review: Watchmen is one of those few works that can truly be said to transcend their genre. Although the "comic" format may at first be off-putting to those not familiar with it, in reality, the plot and writing are better than many novels I've read, and the characters are varied and deep. I would unhesitatingly recommend this work to anyone, especially those who view comics as something for children and collectors only; this book will change your mind.

Rating:
Summary: this one is book-tastic
Review:
i think this book is amazing. it makes me happy. i am about to read the last issue now. it is super good. i am trying to get this girl i know to read it. you should read it too.

Rating:
Summary: Immaculate. Alan Moore is a God among writers...
Review: A few reviews down, you'll find a man calling himself 'Oscar Wilde' from Athens, Georgia (home of R.E.M. and the B-52s for the musicphiles in the audience...) I would like to inform him, firstly, that as a teenager and a devotee of Joyce, Steinbeck, Kerouac, etc. etc., I am certainly not unread, and secondly that I hope he doesn't teach at the U of Georgia in Athens becuase the man is a stonecold, government certefied idiot. For one thing, he calls comic books, (which I prefer to the pretentious term, Graphic Novels,) a 'Child's medium'. Now I'm not sure if I should consider that prejudice or ignorence, but either way it's wrong. I have a feeling he may actually have a thing against comics, seeing as he also gave the Pulitizer winning Maus, (which I also highly recommend,) a one star review. Perhaps his review of Watchmen is merely another means to sustain his prejudice by slamming the very work that best shows how not just comics, but superhero comics can reveal things to us about ourselves and society. Oh well, on to the book then...

I really don't want to talk about the plot since that can be gathered from other reviewers' articles, instead I'd rather discuss some literary aspects of Watchmen instead. A good companion to this book is another mini-series released at almost the exact same time as this, Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns. Where Miller builds upon the Batman mythos to create a redefinition of what a superhero can be, Moore totally deconstructs the superhero genre from the inside out, dealing with the darker side of our facination with superheros. Another concept central to the book is the consequences of what happens when regular people have godlike control over events and make godlike decisions that affect everyone, (a comment on Nuclear War, another key theme of Watchmen? Interestingly, this analogy applies even better to the terrorists of the present...) Moore provides us with excellant characters here who provide differant insights into the morality of making such decisions, (the most famous and memorable probably being Rorshach, who is scarily magnetic.) But one thing that sets this apart from other tales of morality is Moore's complete lack of jugement of the characters; you can actually tell alot about a person by which characters they believe did the right thing. However, what keeps bringing me back to Watchmen is the insane amount of detail. In the span of twelve chapters, Moore creates a completely believeable world with more than 50 years of history and he's managed to cram in so many small things into the corners that say miles about some characters, that it'll take several readings to completely understand the whole book, (I've read it upward of 8 times and I'm still finding new things.)

All in all, I can't recommend Watchmen more. It's the Citizen Kane of mainstream comics and should not be missed. More has remained a very prolific writer since Watchmen, but I doubt he (or anyone for that matter,) will ever reach the level he achived here ever again. It's a masterpiece, plain and simple. Buy it and prepare to have your head exploded.

(P.s. If you want to read more about Superheros as symbols for society, go to ign.com, then find the filmforce section, and from there click on the "Comics in Context" section. This guy has a degree in literature from Harvard and writes amazing articles about the comic book medium.)

Rating:
Summary: Watch the Watchmen. Read the book.
Review: This book is so incredibly brilliant, my words alone can't do it even a fraction of the justice it deserves. A graphic novel that changed the way we think about comics, written by transcendent literary genius Alan Moore, Watchmen offers a look at superheroes as they would appear in real life. Driven only by enthusiasm and determination, without the benefit of superpowers (except for Dr. Manhattan, the science-born hero), these heroes live in the US of an alternate Earth, where they have fought through the 20th century, meeting with public support, distrust and sometimes hatred. These heroes are more realistic versions of traditional superhero archetypes, bearing the faults and shortcomings of rational behavior and honest human nature. For instance, the crusading vigilante (Rorschach) is a mentally-disturbed murderer, the all-powerful science-born hero (the aforementioned Dr. Manhattan) is so all-powerful he lacks concern for the world around him, and the technological genius inventor (Nite Owl, my personal favorite) is out of shape and overly dependent on his gadgets. This alternate world is equally different and unusual, history having been changed by the superheroes: Richard Nixon is still President in 1985, the US won the Vietnam War easily and World War III looms on the horizon.

The story begins with the mysterious death of nasty, thuggish government-agent hero, the Comedian. All the superheroes have recently been forced into retirement by a government order due to public pressure (another clever example of how superheroes & reality don't mix well), and no one is able to fully investigate. However, as tension mounts and more heroes are targeted, the remaining superheroes are drawn out of retirement to solve the mystery and unravel a plan that will... well, I won't spoil it.

The really great thing about this book is that it's impossible to predict accurately what comes next. Even the most observant reader or brilliant detective won't be able to guess the ending (and that's a fact). And trust me, you'll like it that way! You will also love how the story looks at ordinary civilians as well as superheroes. In this way, the reader is kept abreast of the opinions, anxieties and issues of the everyday people. In fact, some of the most interesting characters are these cameo-appearance civilians: the editor of the "New Frontiersman", the boy who's always reading comics and the prison psychologist, among others.

I can't say anymore without giving away the entire plot (if I haven't already) except to praise this book to the skies once more. Watchmen is truly one of a kind, the greatest testament in existence to Alan Moore's genius (and that's saying a lot!). Its every page is richly layered with poetic text, insightful, thought-provoking content and cleverly hidden metaphoric messages, complemented by superb artwork. In short, it is impeccable, brilliant and nothing short of revolutionary. If you consider yourself a comic book fan, or a literary gourmet of any kind, read this book. Read Watchmen.