So I finished the Watchmen graphic novel on the train into work this morning. Wait a minute, that would suggest I’m writing this post at work which we all know can’t possibly be right. So I finished it last night. And wrote this review last night in the comfort of my own home. Yes, yes, that’s it. Okay, so what is there to say about it? It’s amazing. Just as amazing as everyone says. I’m dying to see the movie again because just reading it made me look back on the movie with a greater appreciation. What else could I possibly say to add to the accolades this book has already received? It’s like reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and being like “I think this is gonna be huge!”
I will say though that the squid omission is a bit sad. Before seeing the movie, I thought the idea of the squid was just ridiculous and I thought it was a good idea to leave it out. However, after reading my favorite AintItCoolNews writer Massawyrm’s review of the movie, he makes a good point. The squid worked because it was supposed to be from another dimension with no allegiances to any Earth nation. To essentially give that plot point over to Dr. Manhattan doesn’t work logically, because to have America’s favorite weapon turn evil and destroy cities around the world just doesn’t work. Even though he supposedly also destroyed American cities, it seems unlikely that the rest of the world would turn a blind eye to the fact that he was America’s pride and joy for a few decades. But I’ll let you know what I think after seeing the movie again. If you were like me and have never read a comic book before, give this one a try, you won’t be disappointed.
Now I need some suggestions for other graphic novels I should read!
I must be lame. I’ve only heard of a couple of those graphic novels on the list Tam linked to.
I give up.
Don’t give up Mark. Post something so I don’t have to do any real work. Help me out here people.
“And the world will cry out for entertainment, and I’ll answer: No.”
Sorry Tam, I got nothin.
I know this isn’t Tuesday, but did you know “I Got Nothing” comes from the Latin “Dumbus Assus”.
Okay, since I’m a bona fide comic book nerd, I’m throwing in my $0.02 about good titles to read.
Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series is my all-time favorite. It’s collected in 10 trade paperbacks. I’ll warn you that the first 2 (Preludes & Nocturnes; The Doll House) are a bit slow, but by the third book (Dream Country), it really takes off and you’ll have trouble setting it down. Maybe this series appeals to me because it’s rather dense with literary allusions, but even for non-literature nerds, it’s still an interesting story and the artistry of the comic book medium is stunning.
I want to like Fables, but Bill Willingham’s knee-jerk conservatism (he once criticized Superman for not being proud of his country. Seriously.) starts to creep into the story after a while and it turned me off.
Additional “must reads” IMO are Ex Machina, Y the Last Man, and Powers. Each of those have fascinating and fun stories.
I’d suggest the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen books, too, but if you didn’t like the short story pieces in between Watchmen chapters, you might find LoEG similarly off-putting. (And for the record, don’t expect it to be anywhere near as crappy as the movie). On the other hand, it’s also by Alan Moore (and so is V for Vendetta), so you might enjoy it because it because it’s from the same author.
Lame john, lame.
Hey, I *tried*. They can’t all be gems you know, I’m no McAnally.
I give you credit John. At least it gave me something to respond to and now its 4:30 so in a few minutes I can slide out of here and be goooooonnnnnne!
“I’m no McAnally.”
Who is though? I’m amazing. One of a kind. A genius far ahead of his time.
And tired as heck. Sushi with the parents and Amanda tonight though!
Four words I have never uttered in the same sentence, “*anything* with the parents.” Have fun.
“Who is though? I’m amazing. One of a kind. A genius far ahead of his time.”
Oh and humble. Let’s not forget humble.
HUGS…
Craig is the quintuple threat: Cute, Funny, Talented, Humble and Deluded.
john: Hmm…an anagram for deluded is dude-led. Coincidence?
And, hey! I’m commenting after 4:00! Woohoo!
I have a really bad habit of using the term “Dude” so I have to agree with Dave S. Whatever that means
Ok so you may or may not know that I’ve never seen an episode of battlestar galactica…..ever……
BUT
I saw this today and thought of all of you. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcVZcIDNEfQ
oh and…
dear craig,
sorry i’ve been so quiet
I’m still alive
love,
joe
There’s a *really* dark, adult take on Batman and his villains called “Batman: Arkham Asylum.” It’s nothing in scope like Watchmen, but it’s got an interesting literary take on the various psychoses of his villains (and perhaps, the hero)…
jomosexual: You’ve been very busy alliterating. For the record, “scissor me” made me snort.
Well, I’m very late to the party and don’t know if these have been recommended, but I would suggest reading the Scott Pilgrim series by Bryan Lee O’Malley. All of them, so far, are fun ways to pass a few hours.
Wow, some of my other question answers about graphic novels were: “yes always”; “only Maus” (not sure if she cried Dave) and “lots of manga”. So guess girls are reading graphic novels, just not me.
I’m certainly no graphic novel aficionado, but I have to say I was turned on to the genre with the Sandman series, as others have suggested. Thought provoking, touching, and at times scary. Books with pictures are the best!
hey so Sandman is by far the best. But if you like really dark humor try Johny the Homicidal Maniac and Squee. Very gruesome stuff. If dead baby jokes make you laugh this is a graphic novel for you.
I want to see this movie so bad. but just like the Harry Potter series, I guess I should read the book first.
A colleague at work has leant this to me so I’m looking forward to reading it, thanks for the review!
I’m not a comic book person at all. But I’ve been convinced a few times to skim a couple of graphic novels and ended up reading them and loving them. And they were all by either Alan Moore or Grant Morrison. So from my experience, those two writers are so good you don’t need to be a comic nerd to enjoy them.
Friends of mine who have a comic book junkie son loaned me his copy of “Bone”, which is equal parts Li’l Abner and Conan the Barbarian. It’s a thick tome, but a very enjoyable read.
Hi, One of my books is a graphic novel and I’d just like to invite folks to take a peek at ‘Descendants of the Pantheons’. Thanks, JC
I’m a female and I am definitely a graphic novel lover.
Watchmen will always be my all-time favorite, as well as Maus and Persepolis. I have a huge list I need to tackle… now.
[...] fiction fans in general) should have to read this. It’s just that good. Like, it’s Watchmen and The Long Halloween good. I hope they get to make a movie (trilogy?) about this someday and that [...]