Tell me of "Watchmen."

[Zkribbler]

A friend of mine just slipped me a copy of Alan Moore and David Gibbons's Watchman graphic novel. He insists I read it.

Its front cover is emblazoned: "One of Time Magazine's 100 best novels," and "Winner of the Hugo Award."

I know nothing of this book. Without littering this thread with spoilers. tell me what I am getting into here.

[Asher]

Was thinking this was about the band. I've heard of the book and know nothing of it as well.

[DirtyMartini]

There's another recent thread somewhere that talks about it, but I'd avoid that one. Big spoilers.

AFAIK, it was a big deal in that it tells a realtively mature, nuanced story via the graphic novel format, essentially opening the door for that genre to be taken somewhat seriously. I read it last year, I'd recommend it, but I think the 100 greatest business is a little over the top personally. It could come with a "soon to be a major motion picture" tag as well. (See thread: The Dark Knight).

[chequita guevara]

It's very good, and very influential. If, however, you've been reading comics in the last twenty years, you may not be as impressed, as it won't seem all that new to you. Kinda like how Velvet Underground sounds the same as what we've been listening too the last twenty years. The problem with being revolutionary and influential is that eventually, everything becomes the same.

[Felch]

Basically it was one of the first comics to deal with superheros as real individuals, with real problems. Most characters aren't even really super at all. It's also got some cool techniques and artsy stuff. Like Che said, if you've read anything lately it'll all seem pretty straight-forward. But if you consider the context, it's an interesting step in the development of the whole comic industry.

[snoopy369]

There's a movie coming out soon indeed Other than that, not much.

[Wraith]

Definitive deconstruction of the superhero comics genre. Paved the way for all the anti-hero stories that followed. Only graphic novel, as far as I know, to win a Hugo award.

Felch and chegitz are right, though. If you've never really read the pre-Watchmen comics you aren't going to be as impressed as you would if you knew the context it was created in. Regardless of that, it's still a great read. Stands up to the test of time very well, which makes it a classic.

Don't skip over the text-heavy interludes. They contain a lot of important info.

Wraith
"Beneath me, this awful city, it screams like an abattoir full of retarded children. New York."
-- Rorschach ("Watchmen")

[Vanguard]

It is a sort of post-modern comic book. It is probably the best comic book ever written, but I think it still falls a little short of literature.

IMO, the only truly memorable character is Dr. Manhatten. Rorschach has some interesting panels though.

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Wraith
...If you've never really read the pre-Watchmen comics you aren't going to be as impressed ...

I grew up on comics written in pre-Watchmen days. Then I switched to the James Bond novels. Watchmen came out, what, like 20 years after that.

[Guynemer]

I was the originator of that other Watchmen thread. It is a little jarring if, like many people, you've seen movies/books/comics that have been heavily influenced by Watchmen before reading the book itself. The Incredibles, Heroes, even The Dark Knight. Remember, everything else came from this; this is not the product of everything else.

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Asher
Was thinking this was about the band. I've heard of the book and know nothing of it as well.

I was in the same boat about a month ago. Picked it up from the bookstore across the street from my office to read during lunch on a whim. Ended up taking it home and reading it straight through. It's fantastic, even if you've never read a comic book/"graphic novel" before (I hadn't).

[Lonestar]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker


I was in the same boat about a month ago. Picked it up from the bookstore across the street from my office to read during lunch on a whim. Ended up taking it home and reading it straight through. It's fantastic, even if you've never read a comic book/"graphic novel" before (I hadn't).

Be honest. You enjoyed it because of the nekkid glowing blue man.

[Lord Avalon]

RORSCHACH'S JOURNAL. OCTOBER 12TH, 1985:

DOG CARCASS IN ALLEY THIS MORNING, TIRE TREAD ON BURST STOMACH. THIS CITY IS AFRAID OF ME. I HAVE SEEN ITS TRUE FACE.

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Lonestar
Be honest. You enjoyed it because of the nekkid glowing blue man.

That too.

[Asher]

I know I'm buying it now.