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Amazon.com Has any comic been as acclaimed as Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen? Possibly only Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, but Watchmen remains the critics' favorite. Why? Because Moore is a better writer, and Watchmen a more complex and dark and literate creation than Miller's fantastic, subversive take on the Batman myth. Moore, renowned for many other of the genre's finest creations (Saga of the Swamp Thing, V for Vendetta, and From Hell, with Eddie Campbell) first put out Watchmen in 12 issues for DC in 1986-87. It won a comic award at the time (the 1987 Jack Kirby Comics Industry Awards for Best Writer/Artist combination) and has continued to gather praise since.
The story concerns a group called the Crimebusters and a plot to kill and discredit them. Moore's characterization is as sophisticated as any novel's. Importantly the costumes do not get in the way of the storytelling; rather they allow Moore to investigate issues of power and control--indeed it was Watchmen, and to a lesser extent Dark Knight, that propelled the comic genre forward, making "adult" comics a reality. The artwork of Gibbons (best known for 2000AD's Rogue Trooper and DC's Green Lantern) is very fine too, echoing Moore's paranoid mood perfectly throughout. Packed with symbolism, some of the overlying themes (arms control, nuclear threat, vigilantes) have dated but the intelligent social and political commentary, the structure of the story itself, its intertextuality (chapters appended with excerpts from other "works" and "studies" on Moore's characters, or with excerpts from another comic book being read by a child within the story), the finepace of the writing and its humanity mean that Watchmen more than stands up--it keeps its crown as the best the genre has yet produced. --Mark Thwaite
Product Description This Hugo Award-winning graphic novel chronicles the fall from grace of a group of super-heroes plagued by all-too-human failings. Along the way, the concept of the super-hero is dissected as the heroes are stalked by an unknown assassin.
One of the most influential graphic novels of all time and a perennial bestseller, WATCHMEN has been studied on college campuses across the nation and is considered a gateway title, leading readers to other graphic novels such as V FOR VENDETTA, BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS and THE SANDMAN series.
Best Graphic Novel I've Ever Read!!August 29, 2008 I started Watchmen having no idea what it was about and I think that is probably the best way to read it: no preconceived notions on what you think it should be. Just sit back and read it and go along for a spectacular ride with extremely in depth character analysis. I'd recomend Watchmen to anyone and everyone.
The Hype SurpassedAugust 29, 2008 I, like many others, had no intention of seeking out or reading this book up until about 3 months ago. When the movie was announced and the trailer hit I was stoked. Picked up a copy of the Graphic Novel and drove right in.
This is really pretty heavy stuff; layered story telling, profound philosophical musings from some offbeat yet familiar heroes. The story offers a little something for everyone, intrigue and mystery on the surface, eye opening concepts about existence, strong character drama, gore, and a good old fashion comic story.
There is a multitude of different approaches one can take when reading this story and that in itself sets it apart from nearly every other story I have read recently. Whether the film adaptation can live up to the promise of the novel is a mystery, but if it does....move over Dark Knight because this could be the single greatest comic story ever written.
As a side note, I don't know whether I got a special edition or not, but my copy had small supplemental chapters in between each chapter. These extra pages really enlighten key points of the story as you move along and are a great companion piece.
This is absolutely recommended.
Excellent read!August 29, 2008 The layers of storytelling make this book worth reading more than once. I really enjoyed this book in a way that I haven't enjoyed any others in a long time.
Read it through to the end before forming an opinion...August 29, 2008 I was excited about reading this novel because I'd heard such wonderful things about it. However, my enthusiasm waned as I began to feel it was needlessly graphic and gory without having a "point." I complained to a friend, who recommended I finish it despite my objections.
I'm so glad I did! Every bit of what I had complained about had a point in the overarching storyline, and it all came into focus by the end. I'm very pleased with the novel, and I would recommend it to anyone who can stand a little graphic gore in the name of a good story.
A ClassicAugust 29, 2008 The Watchman has become a classic of the graphic novel genre, and rightfully so. Interesting setting, great plot, great story telling, great story. It's got it all. If you think you might like this book, then you will.
