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!
Not counting superhero comics when I was a kid it was the first graphic novel I’ve read. I read it as an e-book though, not as a hold in your hand book. Not sure it makes a difference though but some people prefer to touch paper. I enjoyed it although I’ll be honest, I kind of skimmed through most of the stuff at the end of each chapter, the longer written parts. I don’t think I’m really a graphic novel kind of girl although with so many pictures I can definitely read faster. Glad you enjoyed it.
Yeah, I was reading those text passages word for word for the first few, then started skimming through them about halfway through the book. Didn’t really add much for me. Maybe I’ll appreciate them more later on.
The Pirate side story was also just okay. I get what they were doing, but just didn’t do much for me. I did enjoy the Bernard and Bernie hug right before the explosion though. Very touching.
I love the way that the pirate story reflects exactly what’s happening in the whole story, too. Such a great book.
Here are some graphic novels you should look for:
1. Kingdom Come
2. Walking Dead (there are 7 or so volumes. Start with 1)
3. Buffy the Vampire Slayer – not the collections, but the graphic novels that say “Season 8″ on them, are by Dark Horse, and are written by Joss Whedon.
Also, go back sometime and read the written word parts on their own.
I never read any of the between-chapter things. They were kinda dull, so I just couldn’t get through them — so I’m totally with you there.
The pirate story I felt was a bit trite. Like you, Craig, I knew what they were trying to do with it, but it just came off as a bit cliche and forced. And it didn’t really add any depth to the story that wasn’t already there.
I was actually around when Watchmen was a monthly mini-series as opposed to a graphic novel, so I was caught up in all the hype that surrounded it at the time. No one had ever really done anything quite like it before — not quite a superhero comic, not exactly an adventure story — so it was intriguing and exciting. When I reread it a couple months ago in preparation for the movie — I hadn’t read the story since it was originally released — I was surprised at how un-groundbreaking it suddenly seemed. Oh, it was and always will be a great story, but it wasn’t quite as edgy as I remembered — most likely since there are a lot of graphic novels that followed Watchmen’s lead and started breaking out of the standardness of comics and started expanding their visions of what was sell-able.
The movie I loved. Chaz and I went to see it and we both really enjoyed it. He was surprised at the depth of it. I thought it was brilliantly cast. (Even though Billy Crudup was in it. I still hold a grudge against him for stealing Claire Daines away from my boy Ben Lee…)
A graphic novel series that’s fun (if you can find them): A Distant Soil by Colleen Doran.
I can’t believe in all your dorkiness you never read a comic book. I lived on them from grade school well into college.
I was never a graphic novel guy, but from word of mouth I have heard that The Sandman series was quite good.
Well, I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who wasn’t all into the pirate thing. It was okay, yeah I get it, but it was kind of additonal and didn’t really add to the story IMHO.
Dave: Please, it was Claire Danes who stole Billy from his 7 month pregnant girlfriend Mary Louise Parker. Ben was better off without her cause she cheated on Billy with Hugh Dancy. Slut.
The long passages at the end are worth a read, they do fill out some of the characters and give you some information on other characters that you don’t see much in the comic.
I thought the movie was fantastic up until the very end. *Potential Spoiler* The change of the squid was an unfortunate change. The thing I liked most about the squid was that it didn’t kill everyone in the area, but most of them. I thought it was important for there to be people left to tell the story. I completely agree with Craig that the change to Dr. Manhattan was not quite as tight as it should have been. The other thing that bothered me was that Dan saw the death of Rorschach, the movie changed their decisions and knowledge in a way that I didn’t really like.
As for graphic novels you might like:
I second Kingdom Come.
Y The Last Man (not a graphic novel, but a 60 issue comic, it is well done. I may have them if you are interested.)
I loved the X-Men graphic novel God Loves Man Kills, the first movie is a loose interpretation of this story.
The She Hulk graphic novel is pretty good too, but you may want to skip it if you aren’t as familiar with the characters.
There is another (the name escapes me) that might be of interest to you as it has a similar feel as your writing. I’ll have to dig it out to get the name.
I’ve also heard the Marvel Zombies series were very good, but I haven’t read them.
I think you would like Fables; there are currently 11 volumes or so out, but they’re each fairly cheap (on Amazon at least). It’s about fairy tale characters secretly living in our world as refugees of a huge war that’s taking place in their worlds. Good fun!
I also suggest Marvels since it gives you a human point of view of the rise of the superheroes in the Marvel universe…and also acts as a bit of a history lesson of some of the mythos.
I second Fables. Also, Preacher.
Thanks for all the recommendations! Fables sounds right up my alley. (I’d like to be up your Mom’s alley.) I’d also like to read the Buffy ones, but need to wait until I finish watching the series.
What about Batman? Aren’t there some great ones I should read? He’s my favorite comic book character after all.
Batman shows up in Kingdom Come. Also, try The Dark Knight.
Killing Joke is also a Grade A Batman story.
Thanks Avitable and Alex. I should have looked up these titles before asking questions. Kingdom Come looks fantastic. Of course I’m merely judging from the book cover, which I hear is a great judge of character.
Craig–you should totally read Y: the Last Man next–it was an on-going series, but they published it in trade paperbacks as well. Written by Brian K Vaughan who is now a writer/producer for Lost. And Hurley was reading the Spanish version when they got back on the plane a couple of weeks ago.
Fables is also awesome.
Reading the graphic novel of an established comic character can be difficult when you dont understand a lot of the backstories of that character.
Surprisingly, no one has mentioned The Crow by James O’Barr. It was SO MUCH better than the movie… definately more touching and poignant.
I can’t believe I forgot the Killing Joke. Excellent recommendation.
My God, I get here a little late and everyone’s already taken all my suggestions. So may I just echo the recommendations on Kingdom Come, The Dark Knight (only the first series, the second wasn’t as good), The Killing Joke, Marvels, Preacher, Sandman, and i just finished the first graphic novel of Locke&Key. There’s not a superhero in it, but it’s quite good nonetheless. Kingdom Come thought would be my first recommendation.
I too was getting the Watchmen one issue at a time. Since I had a whole month in between, I did read all the text stuff at the end of the issues. YOu really should go back sometime and read that stuff. It reveals some very interesting things about the characters and the story.
Dave S.: At the time, int 1985, it was groundbreaking. The Dark Knight and the Watchmen came out at the same time, and never before were superheroes protrayed as ‘human’, with dark sides to them. Course, right after these issues, EVERY hero became and anti-hero, which lead to all the dark stories, and stupid crap that WAS the early 90′s in comic book history. Thank God, most all are out of that mode…save Wolverine. *SIGH*
The movie ending wasn’t as tight, I agree. But really, there’s no way they could have included the ‘squid’ and all the subtleties leading up to it, even in a three hour movie.
I’m glad you loved the graphic novel, Craiggers. I myself have read it at least a dozen, if not more, times since it came out in 85. And I plan on reading it a bunch more in the future. Everytime I read it, I notice something I didn’t see before. There are little things you just don’t pick up on the first time. I hope you reread it later, and enjoy it as much as you did the first time.
HUGS…
In his defense, Wolverine was an anti hero before Watchmen.
Glad you enjoyed the book Craiggers. I told you it really adds to the movie watching experience.
FYI, I’m totally printing this list of recommendations and running out to Chapters tonight to make some purchases. Thanks all!
ScottieC: Me too! There is a Borders across the street from where I work and I’m totally going there during lunch today!
You should write a graphic novel.
Does Super Viagra and Vagina Girl count? The goal in my next series is to expand the scope and characters, so perhaps one day it could be sold as a graphic novel-esque book. Still working out the details…
And then it’ll be an animated series! :p You’re sitting on a fortune, Craig!
Among other things.
Ohhhh. Animated series. That would be cool.
I completely second Fables. They took a few missteps here and there, but overall, it’s brilliant, dark, and a hell of a lot of fun.
Polt: I’m with you on the squid. They couldn’t have done that side story without creating such complexity that no one would’ve been able to follow it, and would’ve chopped up the movie so much that it would be nigh impossible to watch. John being the catalyst was a decent, if not perfect, solution.
Oh, and someone told me I looked like Veidt the other day. Hmm… Halloween costume, mayhaps…?
Dave S.: or you could paint yourself blue and wear some nice man panties
Alex: Or just skip the man panties…
Y’know, for the sake of realism, of course.
Did I just type that out loud?
Let’s not forget this picture:
http://puntabulous.com/wp-content/workout05.jpg
Craig: D’oh!
Dave S. : Hahahaha. Or even better start with the pants that detach into the shorts that detach into the thong and then the big reveal like in the comic! :p
Alex: Wouldn’t that just make me a Blue Man Group stripper?
Poor Dave S. hoist by his own petard. The internet is forever.
There is a resemblance to Matthew Goode. Would you cut off the hair thing for the costume?!
Is it just me, or does Matthew Goode look a heckuva lot like Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters?
And, no, john, I won’t be cutting anything off.
Dave S.: Holy Crap, yes he does look like Jake Shears.
john: Wolverine was an anti-hero pre-Watchmen, yes. But he didn’t become so very dark, berzerkerish (totally a word!), and killed people indescriminatly until the ‘dark heroes’ came into vogue. I remember him trying to avoid the berzerker rages, and regretting the consequences when he came out of it. now, Marvels got a ‘half dozen people slashed’ quote for each issue Wolvie’s in. Sad.
And let me see if I get this right: Dave S. is gonna wear detachable chaps to look like Ozymandias on Thanksgiving while dancing with Jake Shears? Or is this just something I WANT to have happen?
HUGS…
Polt: You make a good point, my earlier comment was a little pithy. I do know he went berzerker during the Dark Phoenix saga in the sewers under the Hell Fire Club, but I also remember there being some regret. I also think that may have been instigated by Mastermind….on and there I go too deep in to geek land again.
Oh, and thanks for the mental image of Dave S. in detachable chaps dancing with Jake Shears. If anyone needs me, I’ll be poking out my mind’s eye….
Polt: I’m showing great restraint by not commenting about the blue penis missing from your scene…
D’oh!
Dave S.: I thought the blue penis part was simply understood and didn’t need to be added. Although, should you need any help painting Lil Dave the appropriate color, just remember I know the way to you house, and six hours is NOT too far to drive to help you out.
HUGS…
john: Yeah, see that’s exactly the part I was talking about. It was really something when he actually slashed the three Hellfire guards, cause he’d never done any people-slashing before that. But now, shoot, he slashes people as often as some people blink their eyes.
HUGS…
Distant Soil is a good one. One I think you might like Craig. It has that fantasy/sci-fi feeling to it. Very Queer friendly too.
Kingdom Come was just wonderful, as lots of people have recommended.
I tend to be more of a Marvel boy myself. House of M was a great mini-series.
). There is so much depth in Sandman. The Midsummer Night’s Dream one stands as one of my favorite to this day. There is such a great mix of mythology within those books.
Sandman is one I highly recommend. Yes it’s Neil Gaiman (and Corelina was great
Just got back from Borders. No luck finding any of the suggestions. They had some volumes of the anthologies, but never the first one so I didn’t bother. I’ll have to find them online.
In my search for some info on WHO is reading graphic novels I found this link: http://men.style.com/gq/features/landing?id=content_8577 Supposedly 20 graphic novels you should read after Watchmen. No idea if they are good, but hey, you asked.
I was curious who is buying reading graphic novels since its all boys here squeeing over them today. So using the completely reliable and scientifically accurate google.ca, I found a survey done by Harris Interactive that claimed 12% of both men and women were reading graphic novels. But further, I did a Friday 5 on another board and asked “Do you read graphic novels?” They are all women ranging from mid-20′s to my age (ancient), working with kids (not working WITH kids, but they have kids) and I think only one even knew what a graphic novel was, so I’d say that’s a no. Is it a guy thing or just me? Are there graphic novels aimed at women (not necessarily manga)? Romance graphic novels? (Ohhhh, if not maybe I have an idea.) Guess I’ll have to actually stop at that section in the bookstore next time and see what’s out there.
Tam: That list had a pretty good non-superhero one I had forgotten, Pyongyang! It’s pretty much this guy’s sketch diary about what happened to him while working in North Korea. Reminded me of Persepolis a bit …which is also a good read
Maus I and II by Art Spiegelman
Maus won a special Pulitzer in the early 90′s. Very very good read. I dare you to read it and not cry.