Customer Reviews

Watchmen

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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 consensus best examples of graphic storytelling of our time, 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." Those of us who first devoured it when it came out in comic book form are still enjoying taking it out and reading it at least once a year in this hardback version.

Look up the harder to find "Absolute Edition" of Watchmen on Amazon. That's only going for $130. It's hardcover and includes a slip case and extras. Why would any re-seller charge $300+ for a paperback version.

My 1 star review is only to prevent people from being ripped off here

Every time I read Watchmen, I'm completely blown away. My first experience with it was a few years before the movie came out, and after finishing it (with superficial understanding) in the span of two days, I truly I believed it was the greatest comic book I'd ever read. A second reading a few months before the movie came out still kept it in that top spot.

Before reading it a third time recently, I was afraid that the movie had skewed my view. I was afraid that the amazing visuals and bad acting (the film's glaring flaw) would make me see the characters in a less-realistic tone, with the exact dialogue bringing my mind back to how it was butchered on screen. And my predicted fears came true, but only for the first two issues. By the third, I fell headfirst into Watchmen's universe, feeling like I did the previous times I read it. With the hundreds of comics I've read and reread since my last reading of Watchmen, I've still ascertained that Watchmen is the greatest comic book ever produced. Watchmen is filled with so much philosophy, symbolism, and character development, that no comic book has ever reached it's level of completeness. Every single panel is packed full of meaning.

I wouldn't tell everyone, "if you ever read a comic book, read Watchmen." It's hard for a person who doesn't regularly read (comics or literature) to digest. The book is so dense that only half of those I lent it to finished it. But, if you do read comics or books, and you haven't read Watchmen, you're missing out on the biggest thing to happen since the Lost Generation writers of the 1920s and 30s.

writing: [10/10]
art: [9/10]

Everyone who has ever read a comic or a graphic novel and liked it, must read this. It is epic. A must have in any book collection.

You should probably read it before you go see the movie. I saw the trailer for this and hollywood, per usual, has ruined an amazing vision and work.

Lawrance Bernabo, way to go with the super pretentious review! First of all, your analysis is spotty, and, second of all, you speak of subtextual themes as if its they are superficial ones. As a result of both of these issues, your writing appears unnecessary, pretentious, and haughty by design. Also, word to the wise; cut the Latin from your review title! Did you decide to use Latin for a reason or did you simply think it sounded good? Regardless, I don't know what's worse, the title being in Latin or the fact that you provide a translation in parentheses.

Let each reader come to his/her own meta-judgements and form his/her own meta-analysis of the given work. If you want to be helpful to other customers, write more cursory reviews. Inform other readers of your general opinions. Do not, on the other hand, write desperately cerebral and, to most readers, impenetrable reviews. What you have here is a piece of writing that benefits you alone. It does little to inform other Amazon customers. It's like an individual who enjoys the sound of his/her own voice but has little of use to say. And, after all, reviews are meant to be utilitarian.