Watchmen
Being my first comic review
Once upon a time (lets call it the Beginning), there was a God. God created heaven, earth, and other associated paraphernalia. And then God said, "Let there be...comics"
But as with His other creations, comics were faltering on the path to salvation. Hence God sent two Apostles known only by their earthly names of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons to restore Order in the Chaos perpetrated through bright underwear clad heroes with Stallonian physiques and dialogue as intelligent as "Biff!" and "Pow!".
The two came together (not like that, you dirty oaf!) and created Watchmen.
And comics attained Nirvana.
****
In an '80s alternate reality, nuclear apocalypse looms large due to mounting tensions between the US and the Soviet Union. In this reality though, the US has a history of costumed superheroes who have altered the course of history (think Vietnam). But only one of these superheroes (Dr. Manhattan) actually has any superhuman abilities, and his presence pisses off Soviet Union further (you wouldn't want a Superman to screw up the doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction now would you?). And its not just they who are miffed with superheroes: the American public has forced anti-superhero legislation (remember You either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain?). Which basically means most of them have retired or are employed by the US government (or as with my favourite character Rorschach, don't give a rat's ass about it and continue to do whatever they do).
The story opens with the murder of one such superhero who was working with the US govt. Rorschach investigates and comes to the conclusion that there is a serial-superhero-killer on the loose. Armed with this information he tries to warn his former superhero colleagues Dan Dreiberg (formerly the second Nite Owl), the emotionally detached Dr. Manhattan, his lover Laurie Juspeczyk (the second Silk Spectre), and Adrian Veidt (formerly Ozymandias, and now the world's richest man). What he realizes is that there are no superheroes or supervillains, just differing points of view (to put it a little trivially).
Needless to say this detective thread is just another part of a much larger story which unfolds over 12 issues. The characters and their back stories are enriched by supplemental "documents" that appear at the end of each issue. The sense of impending doom is highlighted within the story through another story (being read as a comic by one of the characters) about pirates which runs in parallel.
As a testimony to how realistic and gritty this comic about costumed superheroes is, Time magazine has included it in its list of 100 best English-language NOVELS from 1923 to the present. Yes gentlemen, its what they call freakin literature!
Do give this one a try (before you watch Zack Snyder's filmed version). You won't regret it.
Once upon a time (lets call it the Beginning), there was a God. God created heaven, earth, and other associated paraphernalia. And then God said, "Let there be...comics"
- Nerd Genesis 1:1
But as with His other creations, comics were faltering on the path to salvation. Hence God sent two Apostles known only by their earthly names of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons to restore Order in the Chaos perpetrated through bright underwear clad heroes with Stallonian physiques and dialogue as intelligent as "Biff!" and "Pow!".
The two came together (not like that, you dirty oaf!) and created Watchmen.
And comics attained Nirvana.
****
In an '80s alternate reality, nuclear apocalypse looms large due to mounting tensions between the US and the Soviet Union. In this reality though, the US has a history of costumed superheroes who have altered the course of history (think Vietnam). But only one of these superheroes (Dr. Manhattan) actually has any superhuman abilities, and his presence pisses off Soviet Union further (you wouldn't want a Superman to screw up the doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction now would you?). And its not just they who are miffed with superheroes: the American public has forced anti-superhero legislation (remember You either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain?). Which basically means most of them have retired or are employed by the US government (or as with my favourite character Rorschach, don't give a rat's ass about it and continue to do whatever they do).The story opens with the murder of one such superhero who was working with the US govt. Rorschach investigates and comes to the conclusion that there is a serial-superhero-killer on the loose. Armed with this information he tries to warn his former superhero colleagues Dan Dreiberg (formerly the second Nite Owl), the emotionally detached Dr. Manhattan, his lover Laurie Juspeczyk (the second Silk Spectre), and Adrian Veidt (formerly Ozymandias, and now the world's richest man). What he realizes is that there are no superheroes or supervillains, just differing points of view (to put it a little trivially).
Needless to say this detective thread is just another part of a much larger story which unfolds over 12 issues. The characters and their back stories are enriched by supplemental "documents" that appear at the end of each issue. The sense of impending doom is highlighted within the story through another story (being read as a comic by one of the characters) about pirates which runs in parallel.
As a testimony to how realistic and gritty this comic about costumed superheroes is, Time magazine has included it in its list of 100 best English-language NOVELS from 1923 to the present. Yes gentlemen, its what they call freakin literature!
Do give this one a try (before you watch Zack Snyder's filmed version). You won't regret it.
Labels: alan moore, comics, dave gibbons, watchmen, zack snyder
posted by meTaL @ 9:15 AM
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