Scan barcode
mborszich's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
5.0
rubybastille's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't particularly feel like I was missing any characterization in the original Watchmen, especially not for Rorschach, one of the characters in this book. I might have enjoyed some more backstory on the Comedian, but the story told here just rehashed what we already knew, or could infer, about his time in Vietnam. I don't think I'll be reading any more of these - at best, they're unnecessary; at worst, they contradict what was already written. And Watchmen really didn't need any additions in the first place.
jsjammersmith's review
5.0
Arguably the only really worthwhile of the Before Watchmen series. The Comedian and Rorschach are already dark characters and so assigning Brian Azzarello to dig into these characters world was a brilliant choice. This volume isn't without problems because, much like the previous book, these stories do not have the same level of depth as the source material they were inspired by. But this volume, at least in my opinion, solves that problem by telling stories that aren't meant to be works all on their own. These stories are supplements designed to provide some extra background to the near infinite detail that is the Watchmen graphic novel.
Comedian/Rorschach is a book which can leave the reader disgusted and repulsed by the sheer amount of violence and darkness. And while at times these can come across as a bit gratuitous, they still feel like honest representations of the characters rather than just cheap pulp designed to cash in on nostalgia. Rorschach's story especially felt like an addition to his character rather than just an empty shadow of it.
As for the Comedian, there was far more attention paid to showing him as the negative Forrest Gump who goes to Vietnam rather than the bizarre political operative he was.
But as I said, Brian Azzarello makes this volume what it is, and out of the Before Watchmen universe, this one remains my favorite.
Comedian/Rorschach is a book which can leave the reader disgusted and repulsed by the sheer amount of violence and darkness. And while at times these can come across as a bit gratuitous, they still feel like honest representations of the characters rather than just cheap pulp designed to cash in on nostalgia. Rorschach's story especially felt like an addition to his character rather than just an empty shadow of it.
As for the Comedian, there was far more attention paid to showing him as the negative Forrest Gump who goes to Vietnam rather than the bizarre political operative he was.
But as I said, Brian Azzarello makes this volume what it is, and out of the Before Watchmen universe, this one remains my favorite.
vylotte's review
3.0
The Comedian section deals with his time in Vietnam and his relationship with the Kennedy brothers. The Rorschach section shows his fights with some local gangs. There is far more of his backstory in other character's stories, which was a bit disappointing.
etienne02's review
4.0
Two parts, two very different styles. The Comedian part deserve a 3 stars, slower action then expected, very political with JFK and his brother and the Vietnam war. I was hoping for something more personal or psychological about this character. Not bad, but not that good either.
Second par Rorschach is awesome with an easy 5 stars. Full of action and we really get on with this psychopath characters. More action, more personal and more psychological. At the very opposite of the Comedian part, but a lot more of what I was hoping for and expect from this Before Watchmen stories. Lets hope the others one look more like the Rorschach one.
Second par Rorschach is awesome with an easy 5 stars. Full of action and we really get on with this psychopath characters. More action, more personal and more psychological. At the very opposite of the Comedian part, but a lot more of what I was hoping for and expect from this Before Watchmen stories. Lets hope the others one look more like the Rorschach one.
rebesinlentes's review against another edition
5.0
The artwork is breathtaking. Also, I like the idea of broken and warped heroes. Made me like and understand The Comedian and Rorscharch more.
sageorion's review against another edition
1.0
Pretty disappointing. It honestly felt like Comedian and Rorschach were just characters that happened to be in stories about other things, rather than being the main characters of their stories. I was so uninterested in what they were doing that thinking back on it now I barely even remember the plots of either story.
At least Rorschach was somewhat similar to his character in the original graphic novel; Comedian was nothing like he is in Watchmen. Granted, all you see of him in Watchmen is through flashbacks but those short bursts do such an amazing job of establishing his story and developing him as a character that it's pretty sad to see these comics can't manage to do that with him actually being alive during the story. Comedian in Before Watchmen seems to swoop between hugely active manic and then still, frozen depressive. Comedian in Watchmen isn't like that at all -- he's a psychopath, yes, but he's not a manic insane person. Yes, he's all a big show and he's full of power but he's still basically doing the right thing throughout the book. Even though he does bad things, he's still a HERO when it comes down to it. That's part of the reason why he flips out when he figures out Adrian's plan and part of the reason why Adrian has to kill him. But no, none of that characterization is in this Before Watchmen story. It's really sad. Not worth a read.
At least Rorschach was somewhat similar to his character in the original graphic novel; Comedian was nothing like he is in Watchmen. Granted, all you see of him in Watchmen is through flashbacks but those short bursts do such an amazing job of establishing his story and developing him as a character that it's pretty sad to see these comics can't manage to do that with him actually being alive during the story. Comedian in Before Watchmen seems to swoop between hugely active manic and then still, frozen depressive. Comedian in Watchmen isn't like that at all -- he's a psychopath, yes, but he's not a manic insane person. Yes, he's all a big show and he's full of power but he's still basically doing the right thing throughout the book. Even though he does bad things, he's still a HERO when it comes down to it. That's part of the reason why he flips out when he figures out Adrian's plan and part of the reason why Adrian has to kill him. But no, none of that characterization is in this Before Watchmen story. It's really sad. Not worth a read.
annie139d7's review
3.0
No where near as good as the original. The Comedian's story didn't have the depth I was looking for it was just destruction in Vietnam. Rorschach's was much better but still missing the depth of the original watchmen. Overall didn't fulfill my desire to hear more about these characters.
hogsandwich's review
3.0
I mean, the Before Watchmen series is essentially fanfic, right? You enjoy it because you're starved for content from that particular bubble and it's just so nice to be around these characters, even when they're as wholescale terrible as these ones are.
This particular collection is real - REAL - heavy on the torture porn. As you might expect, but it's worth mentioning.
This particular collection is real - REAL - heavy on the torture porn. As you might expect, but it's worth mentioning.
vegebrarian's review
3.0
The Comedian's back-story was a bit too historical mashup for me. And he's a bastard so I was left feeling kind of meh. The art was great though. Rorschach's story however was much better. His revenge is taken out on those who deserve it. But even the good guys slip up. It had a great late 70s, gritty NYC backdrop which really set the mood for all the violence.