One of the big reasons I didn’t get to read the Watchmen graphic novel before I saw the movie was because I was reading Star Wars: Allegiance. I started it forever ago, but it was just so crappy that I couldn’t get into it, and it was taking me forever to get through. I couldn’t bring myself to give up on yet another Star Wars book, but after seeing the movie, reading the graphic novel became top priority, and Allegiance got the boot. Donya was kind enough to lend me her copy at TV Night last night and I started reading it this morning on the train into work and I already want to see the movie again.
I’m only 13 pages in, but I’ve already realized that Rorschach doesn’t know the apartment he’s investigating in the beginning belongs to the Comedian until he sees his costume hidden away. Maybe they said that in the movie, but it just wasn’t that obvious to me, and I think it’s the little stuff like that which will make seeing the movie after rereading the graphic novel a million times better. So now I’m hoping to finish it up before it leaves the theaters so I can see it again. This is also the first time I’m reading a comic book/graphic novel (it was Rachel’s too, and she promised that if I read it in public places cute comic book nerds will strike up conversations with me) and I have to say, it’s not as intimidating as I thought it would be. For some reason I thought the boxes would be hard to follow and that I wouldn’t know which way to read it, but once I got started, it was so much fun!
John sent me the graphic novels electronically so I read them on my computer. Didn’t think of the “attract the comic book cuties” angle. I didn’t mind the format, they are fast reads though. There was the whole subplot with the guy reading the pirate comic book I really didn’t “get” though. I’m still not sure what the point of that was. Polt could probably explain it to me.
Enjoy.
You’ve never read a graphic novel before? Surrender your geek card immediately.
David: I thought the same thing initially, but then I remembered his age. Combine that with his devotion to Star Wars and I can see how he missed it. But, I am glad he is fixing that.
I have seen many cute comic book geek types reading it in public, so that’s indeed true. Tam, the pirate story was…well, I don’t know. I totally wasn’t into it at all. There were points in the graphic novel where it was used to illustrate something else that was going on in the main tale, but I never really got into it.
And Craiggers, I disagree. I think Rorshach knew the Comedian was Edwards Blake. He found the blood splattered smiely face, and if I recall, saw the body laying there. It wouldn’t take a genius to put two and two together, espeically since he worked with the Comedian before. I think that’s why he was looking through the closet so intently, looking for the way to get to his equipment.
That’s how I always read it…althought now I’ll have to go back and look again, cause you’ve got me thinking maybe you’re interpretation is correct…
HUGS…
remember his age…sometimes I forget how old I am…I remember buying each individual issue of Watchmen (and the Dark Knight was out at the same time!), and HATING having to wait a whole month to get the next issue!
HUGS…
Huh? Bossy is so Romantic Comedy.
What does age have to do with reading comics and graphic novels? ;_;
I hated the pirate stuff too, Craig. I know it’s supposed to allude to some of the things that happen in the issue, but it just took me out of the whole experience mostly. Makes me wonder how many hardcore comic geeks will buy the pirate part animated dvd.
I just finished this book last night. What an amazing story.
Tam – The pirate subplot closely mirrors another character’s development through the story. I won’t say who for risk of spoilers, but think about it and it all becomes clear. I also like how it perfectly reflects Mr. Newsman’s view of the world.
Looking forward to reading the book first and watching the movie after seeing the buzz that this is getting!
Once again Mark is lost on the whole Watchmen thing. (Mark Loves referring to himself in the third person
)
Although I have heard about the blue penis, and I’m a little curious.
I used to collect Marvel and Image comics up until the mid 90′s when they started getting gimmiky with the chromium covers and the price went way up.
Now I’m just waiting for the Wolverine movie. I was never a big fan of wolvie but I loved all the X-titles.
I remember some sort of batman graphic novel that my older brother had. I used to read it all the time when i was young.
Ok maybe i was just looking at the pictures…..
….and fantasizing.
Polt: “and HATING having to wait a whole month to get the next issue!” Oh, no kidding! That was freaking torture!
Mark: “Mark Loves referring to himself in the third person” Maybe you and Bossy should talk?
Polt: Were you a Grendel fan?
john, I wasn’t a Grendel fan. I never actually read it at all. I was primarily a DC fan, and then delved into Marvel until the early 90′s when it became all about the art, and the covers and character development, plot, and continuity went out the window. I’ve been pretty much just a DC fan ever since…except for Young Avergers, and the X-Men for a short while when Northstar was a member (gotta support the gay heroes, don’tcha know?)
HUGS…
Well I’m glad I wasn’t the only one kind of mystified by the pirates.
Scottie: I figured there some parallel with the main story but I just didn’t quite get it, although I saw where it was going. Sigh. Maybe I’m just slow. I don’t think it really contributed much, they could have skipped it and it would have been still okay for me.
I think if you read it in public, cute comic book nerds will be all, “Psh! You’re only reading that cause the movie just came out! Poser!”
I hate when people are like that, but it happens.
Enrickyricardo, if it was Craiggers reading it in public I (being a formerly cute comic book nerd) would think “Hmm, well poser or not, he’s cute, so I should talk to him.”
But then that’s just me.
HUGS…
Did Northstar join the X-Men after Alpha Flight? Does he still have the AIDS?
Go Kitty: (geekgasm warning) Northstar never really had AIDS. He had a “mysterious illness” that was later revealed to be due to him being from a different dimension. I actually think they tried to make him one of the Fae, which may have been tongue in cheek, but there was some illusion to he and his sister being “magical”.
Since then, Northstar and Aurora were killed off and resurrected (not all that long ago if my memory serves me). I haven’t heard anything more of his original illness and I think it may have been retconned out.
I’m not sure to what group he belongs X-Men or Alpha Flight. I’m also not sure if Alpha Flight is still in publication or not.
Well, john answered the question pretty well, so I don’t have to.
Yes, he joined the X-Men for a short time (Xavier asked him to become an instructor at the school. He said he was just a skiing champion, what should he teach, boys gym? heheheheh).
Wasn’t aware of the deaths, but hell it’s Marvel, EVERYbody’s died at least once. And returned at least once. It’s like a rite of passage. And very irritating as well.
Alpha Flight was published a few years ago for about 12 issues and it was simply horrid. It was an attempt at a humorous comic, like Giffen’s run on the JLA, but it just didn’t work. Mostly brand new characters, most of them stupid. In fact the whole concept was stupid, which was a shame as I always like Alpha Flight.
HUGS…
Yeah, I vaguely remember someone saying they were like fairies or elves at one point. I think they even gave them pointy ears at one point?
Now tell me everything you know about House of M and Decimation…
I always liked Alpha Flight too. I always thought Byrne better at working with established characters rather than inventing his own, but the original Alpha Flight was pretty good. I loved Marina and Box and Snowbird. Puck had his moments too.
I *really* hate the resurrection thing. For God’s sake, how many times has Jean Grey died and come back? We get it, her name is Phoenix, and yes, she had to pay for killing off millions of asparagus people, but give me a short break.
Go Kitty: I say this as politely as possible: No.
Actually, I’m behind in my reading. All I know is Scarlet Witch went nutty and said “no more mutants” and her witchy possibility rendering powers went crazy and wiped all but like 150 of them of their powers. Beyond that, I’m not so sure.
Oh, and I think Northstar and Aurora always had pointy ears. I think it was part of their mutation.
One word folks: WIKIPEDIA! I am a recovering comics collector and I’ve always wondered what happened to characters/teams since I’ve stopped collecting! Wikipedia does a terrific job of filling you in. Wiki your favorite character or team and see!
When are they going to make Argyle Men into a movie?
Going to see Watchmen with the hub soon (the only movies he wants to see at the theater involve men with tights/capes/light sabres). Any recommendations on Coraline?
Yes, I wiki major comic events and characters all the time. I just wanted to have someone explain House of M to me. :}
Michelle M.: I saw Coraline a few weeks ago. It is worth seeing, but isn’t the best animated film I have seen. I liked the character design and the overall story, but had some small complaints about it.
I gave up on Marvel long before House Of M and any subsequent inanity. Can’t help you at all with that.
And in addition to Phoenix, Cyclops and Colossus have both died, I believe, only be resurrected. Elsewhere, Hawkeye too was killed, before returning. I used to say only the Original Captain Marvel died and stayed dead. He did so in a wonderfully done early graphic novel by jim Starlin. But I believe just recently Marvel decided to spit upon that touching well crafted story and bring him back to life. Idiots. Makes me wonder just how long Steve Rogers/Captain America will ‘stay dead’…if he’s not back already.
HUGS…
If you’re going to try to read it all to see it again in theaters, skip the pirate story and the textual parts (the biography stuff). Read the main story. Then, later on, go back and read just the textual parts. Finally, read the whole story together. It has so many layers, but I’ve found this was the best way to get the full experience. The pirate story is absolute genius because every single word is a parallel to what’s happening in the story, but it can get distracting the first time you read it.
Avitable: That is probably one of the best descriptions I have heard of it in a while.
I just got home from the movie and I really liked it. Polt hit the nail on the head, they did the best job they could. I was a little dis appointed with some of the changes, but overall, they made sense. Haley and Morgan were both fantastic.
Michelle M.: I second john’s opinion. It was an enjoyable movie with interesting character designs, but parts of it start to break down if you think about it for too long.
As a fan of the Dresden Files books, I enjoyed the Fairy-like quality of the story.
Polt: The Cap Marvel that was resurrected actually ended up being a Skrull sleeper agent, so the original story of his death is left unscathed
Alex: well thanks for the good news!
HUGS…