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Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons

Gendudehashadenough

21:11 / 02.12.03

So I just began this book/comic/graphic novel and so far i love it, seeing as how it is only my third comic book ever (the first too being Marvel Boy and The Invisibles). The friend from which i borrowed it from said it's the best graphic novel ever written so I'm going in with my expectations high.

I wish to be grounded. That is, I'd like some info (not spoilers) on the book, information on some of themes and general reading advice, for this undertaking.

Couldn't find another Watchman topic so, bring it.

Gavin Rossdale

21:57 / 02.12.03

I believe that it's called The WatchMEN, darling. In plural.

Solitaire Rose as Tom Servo

22:03 / 02.12.03

The theme is actually very simple:

What if Superheroes really existed. What would happen if, in the 40's, there WERE masker mystery men, and in the early 60's, someone came along with the powers of a real superhero? In the end, it's a muder mystery with a big twist ending, but that's not why it's good.

It's good because it is so well put together. Everything in every panel has a deeper meaning, and either background or symbolic signifigance.

I would say it is the best Constructed comic book, but best written?

I feel more affinity to Stuck Rubber Baby, It's A Good Life If You Don't Weaken and Secret Wars. OK, maybe not so much Secret Wars.

Besides, I find Moore's work on Promethia more interesting.

Never or Now!

22:18 / 02.12.03

I believe it's actually called just "Watchmen", dear.

Gendudehashadenough

23:34 / 02.12.03

Yeak. Ok. I admit the fact that the title page fucked with my head. The WATCH (Insert story here) "MEN". The effect was nice. Noted.

Solitaire Rose as Tom Servo

01:11 / 03.12.03

Don't worry...we're fixing the title.

So, if your first two comics were Marvel Boy and The Invisibles, what other comics have looked interesting to you?

scottk

07:22 / 03.12.03

I just started rereading this bad boy this week. It has been a good half decade since I last read it and it is really reading differently. In this era of decompressed comics, Watchmen feels claustrophic, especially the chapters character-focused chapters. Nowadays, they probably would receive their own mini-series.

For a followup read? I would recommend Bryan Talbot's visionary The Adventures of Luther Arkwright, which was an enormous influence on Moore and Morrison. Even though it is brilliant, it technical bravura might be offputting to someone new to comics. If so, you might want to try Morrison's Animal Man, which DC Comics just released the third and final collection. The first four issues are filled with Watchmen-esque poetic panel transitions, but it becomes its own wonderous thing.

Gendudehashadenough

14:50 / 03.12.03

That's just the problem they ALL look interesting. I've hardly found a comic where I havn't read the first few pages and been completely enthraled.

Currently, I am reading The Watchmen and am thinking about starting Animal Man for kicks. I've also come across From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell. Promethea by Alan Moore has been suggested as a good comic/sarter magick book, as well. All in all I'd say that my reading list is quite full for the moment, though new suggestions are always welcomed.

Thanks for the title correction.

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