Watchmen ~Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons
–published 1995
–416 pages, DC Comics
–1988 Hugo Award
–4.5/5 stars
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes, “Who watches the watchmen?”
There are seminal works in the comic book medium, some that I have read and others that I have not. One of those that had been on my radar for years was the award-winning, critically acclaimed series Watchmen, written by Alan Moore. I am familiar with other works of Moore that I have really enjoyed (League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Promethea) but had yet to read what is arguably his magnum opus. With the imminent release of the theatrical version of Moore’s creation, I had been debating whether or not to read this prior to seeing the film when it arrived as a birthday gift from my friend Scott. Knowing how glorious the League graphic novel was and how abhorrent the film turned out to be, I decided that it might be best to read this now in case the film turns out to be one of those that would scare me away from ever wanting to pick up the book.
Reading this story almost entirely over the bulk of the last two Sundays, with football playing quietly in the background, has turned out to be a very rewarding experience.
Watchmen was released in its original comic book form, in twelve issues, over the course of 1986 and 87. At the time it was critically praised and has gone on to be one of the mythical ‘must reads’ in the medium. It is risky reading a work that has garnered such praise among fans and critics, especially this many years after its initial impact, because the hype can lead to expectations that are never quite met. I can happily report that this was not the case for Watchmen. The structure of Dave Gibbons’ panels did as much Moore’s writing to cause Watchmen to get its hooks into me right from the beginning. Recurring images and panel structure gave me an artistic thrill that rivaled my interest in the storyline. After reading something like Watchmen you realize just how rare it is that an artist and writer can have such harmony and create something with such resonance over two decades after its initial publication. And boy, is Watchmen relevant today!
Without spoiling the story, Watchmen tells of an alternative history earth in the late 1980’s in which Russia is every bit the cold war enemy that it was during my youth, before the fall of the wall and the changes that reverberated through the Communist world. Living during the tail end of the Cold War with the fear that Russia might make a move that would bring about the end of the world means that I have a great deal of fearful nostalgia for stories either written during that time or written with the Cold War still in effect. In this alternative history there exist a handful of retired costumed vigilantes, made illegal at some point in the past by a congressional act. The story starts with the murder of one of these ‘superheroes’ and goes on to paint a paranoid, chaotic world in which mistrust and fear broil near the surface of an increasingly volatile society. Responding to the events unfolding, including murders and attempted murders of other costumed heroes, these former superheroes (and some anti-heroes) must determine what role they will play in solving the mystery of who is doing the killings, all the while watching the world moving ever faster towards nuclear war.
As mentioned earlier, the release of the Watchmen film and the interest it is and will generate in the original source material couldn’t be more timely. There are themes within the pages of Moore’s story that made me feel like it was positively pre-ordained for this story to come back on the scene. It was not only eerie but also made the book that much more exciting to read. Two examples that I can give without spoiling anything are the recent Russian activities in Georgia which seem to mirror actions written by Moore back in the 80s. Additionally there is a theater that shows classic films featured in the background of one of the main locations of the story in which one can frequently see posters advertising The Day the Earth Stood Still. It was positively spooky seeing that. In addition to the main storyline, there are stories within stories in Watchmen which add such depth and texture to the book that I fully believe that subsequent reads would reveal things that I missed going through it the first time. There are also a great many visual clues that I picked up on and no doubt many more that were completely missed as I found myself caught up in the story line.
Like Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight and Neil Gaiman’s Sandman, Watchmen is not a kiddie book. It is an adult book dealing with adult issues. I say that not to warn you away from giving the book to your children but to encourage you to read it. This is a book with depth and characterization and one with real merit even today. Its message is both unsettling and hopeful depending on where one places their focus as the events unfold in the final chapter. In short, Watchmen is a very good story and well worth your taking the time to read it, before the film’s release. Although I cannot imagine the movie staying true to the story, particularly the ending, I still have high hopes for the film. I was impressed with Zach Snyder’s work on 300 and the newest trailer looks absolutely amazing.
See the film or don’t, I will only encourage you to do so after I have seen it and can judge it for myself. But Watchmen the graphic novel is a must read. Enjoy!
Wow! I hadn’t seen the new trailer! It looks sooo good. I read Watchmen early last year and i think you’ve gone and convinced me to do a reread of it before the movie comes out!
Trailer looks great! I really need to read this again. It’s been over 10 years since I’ve read it and I’ve forgotten so much. I pulled out my copy the other day and I hope to get to it soon. Glad you enjoyed it Carl!
I’m very excited about this film! I’m hoping that it will keep the elements of the novel I adored (characters, ideas and the reality of the heroes) and find a more, erm, effective way of bringing it all to a head. I have to admit to throwing this book across the room when the end plan came into view (literally). Then I felt bad. I did adore the artwork; Dave Gibbons is a regular in my local bookshop and has been reported to be a very nice man indeed!
Stormfilled: The reason I couldn’t give the series a full 5 stars is that I thought the ending chapter was a bit too verbose in the villains’ justification of his actions. However I found things in there, including the actions of the other players, very intense and interesting and somewhat surprising. I can understand where you are coming from on this one though.
Jeff: I’m glad I listened to all of you at the shop and went ahead and read this now rather than waiting until after the film. It has been a long time since I have read that big of a graphic novel and it was a really fun experience.
Melanie: It is a great trailer, isn’t it. Now that I’ve read the book I can see some panel for panel shots in the trailer which gives me at least some hope that they have tried to stay true to the source material. Moore just doesn’t have a good track record with films being made of his books. Though, oddly enough, I have enjoyed the films more (V for Vendetta, From Hell) when I haven’t read the books than when I have (League) so maybe I shouldn’t have read Watchmen! 😉
Ooh I can’t wait for the film! I’ve bought myself a shiny copy of the graphic novel in preparation as, after I Am Legend, I’m not making the mistake of seeing the film first again. Really good review, thanks you’ve made me look forward to it even more.
I’ve been meaning to read this too. Got it reserved from the library, just waiting my turn!
This is one I’ve been meaning to read for ages now. In the new year I’ll defo get to it. Definitely!
I am reading this book right now! I’m finding it rather unrelentingly dark but very compelling. I kind of skimmed your review, but I’ll be back when I’ve finished the book!
Darla: It is unrelentingly dark, no doubt about it! I look forward to your thoughts when you are done.
Fence: Let me know when you do.
Rob: Same for you, I look forward to hearing what you think of it.
Mariel: I had read I am Legend so long before the film that I was far enough removed from it that I actually enjoyed it. Sure the ending is Hollywood-ized, but there were some very cool things about that film.
I can’t remember how long ago it was that I first read The Watchmen, but I will be reading it again soon (hopefully over the holidays) in preparation for the movie. Every time I see a new trailer I get more and more excited!
hmmm… yeah, i’ve got to give this another read. if nothing else but to solidify my impression of this before i see the film. like jeff, its been almost 10 years since i first read this.
i personally wasn’t that impressed by it but i think thats got a lot to do with reading “v for vendetta” first, which ploughs a similar furrow. i think i prefer the way v deals with all of that paranoia.
not that i didn’t like it – i did enjoy it but i simply thought it was good and not very good. still, theres no doubting its influence and impact and its definitely recommended reading!
i do love rorschach, though and all those sequences involving him. and the sickly neon noir of it all is also very cool!
I ordered myself a copy of this just a couple of days ago, and now I’m even more excited about reading it at last. Amazing review!
I really need to get off my butt and read this. I’ve had this all-in-one collection on my stacks for a scandalously long time, and I have no idea what’s been holding me back. Glad you loved it, Carl!
Andi: Hey, I was encouraged to read this for years and just finally did it, so don’t feel bad.
Nymeth: I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
JP: Rorschach was great, my favorite character by far. I haven’t read V so certainly cannot compare the two. I imagine I would have been a bit more blown away by the whole thing if I had read it when it first came out, but as it was the darkness and somewhat apocalyptic nature of it feeds right into my desire to start reading sci fi again so that added to my enjoyment of the book.
Bride: They have definitely put together some enticing trailers. I’ve got my fingers crossed.
I read this earlier in the year (because the trailer in “Dark Knight” really intrigued me) and I loved it. I had a sneaking suspicion where the plot was going to end up, but Moore still managed to surprise me with a few things.
I think the movie has the potential to be really great or really, very bad. Here’s hoping it’s the former. Either way, my butt will probably be in the seat. Glad you liked it!
Mine too, J.S., mine too. This is one I’ll probably see regardless of early criticism (if it gets criticized). I too thought some of the end stuff was predictable but Moore still threw some surprises in their that I didn’t expect.
yeah, definitely, reading it when it came out would’ve been amazing. it captures its time so well!
you definitely have to read v. from what i can gather its probably even more your thing than “watchmen”!
I very much enjoyed reading your review, now that I’ve finished the book. I had some issues with the end as well, and it will be interesting to see how the film deals with it. I like what you said about reading it so you wouldn’t be put off if the movie was terrible. That happened to me with League, and I realize I need to get over that and read the books!
The structure of the panels is actually Moore not Gibbons from what I have seen of Moore’s original script. Moore is infamous for his extremely detailed scripts and I’m not sure Gibbons had all that much wiggle room. His drawings are gorgeous though and it wouldn’t be the same book without him.