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105 reviews for:
Watchmen #1: At Midnight, All The Agents....
John Higgins, Alan Moore, Len Wein, Dave Gibbons
4.43 AVERAGE
105 reviews for:
Watchmen #1: At Midnight, All The Agents....
John Higgins, Alan Moore, Len Wein, Dave Gibbons
4.43 AVERAGE
One of the best books I have ever read, possibly THE best. I first read this when it came out in 12 single issue comics in the 80s. I still have those first editions. I also have a leatherbound hardback in a slip case and recently re-read the trade paperback. It gets better every time - the medium of the graphic novel executed perfectly, with Alan Moore's fantastic story.
After finally reading the comics I can see why this series has so much impact on many stories up until this day. It reflects the time the comics were written and it also reflects a time today.
My problem is, I have seen what the new Watchmen TV series on HBO can do. It takes the story, the legacy of this comic, and transforms it into something that reflects the climate of today in an intricate and poignant way. I haven't seen all episodes yet, but it tells the origin story of Hooded Justice, it has Regina King and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and riveting way. But still, the comics were entertaining and very thought provoking. I enjoyed my time with them a lot.
My problem is, I have seen what the new Watchmen TV series on HBO can do. It takes the story, the legacy of this comic, and transforms it into something that reflects the climate of today in an intricate and poignant way. I haven't seen all episodes yet, but it tells the origin story of Hooded Justice, it has Regina King and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and riveting way. But still, the comics were entertaining and very thought provoking. I enjoyed my time with them a lot.
I read comics back in middle school but haven't had much experience with graphic novels since then. A friend told me this book was originally published as 12 different comics throughout a single year, which makes sense (there are twelve chapters). This graphic novel is a bit different in set-up than I remember the ones I read (mostly X-Men) back-in-the-day. There is the first portion which is set up with boxed images and dialogue, but each chapter ends with "archive" material - chapters from books, or newspaper editions that tie in and give a bigger picture of the story. When reading several chapters in a row it can be slightly disjointing moving from traditional comic layout, to these more text-based pieces, and back to the comic.
That said, I really enjoyed reading this book (another book club choice). It is interesting to see this alternative history of the Cold War. Some of the imagery and sentiments I recognize from history class (not being old enough to remember first-hand this time period - the book takes place in 1985 the year I was born): the dread of the Soviets launching an attack, paranoia, bomb shelters. But (from my understanding) in our reality, most of this had faded by 1985.
The hard-lined division between left and right was interesting too. Fascist vs communist, the the Watchmen world, is still very much alive. There was plenty of Nazi imagery and illusions (swastikas, a concert titled "Krystalnacht") which I found confusing because the book made obvious references to the Holocaust and it seems incredible that even in this alternate reality a neo-Nazi culture could remain so large and semi-mainstream after those horrifying events.
As I'm sure it has been pointed out, an understanding of late 20th century American history is vital to fully appreciating this graphic novel. My knowledge in this area is sufficient, I believe, but may be lacking n full mastery so there are probably bits that have gone over my head. Still, even people who have not taken history since high school should be able to pick up on the bits of history from our reality that have changed (some listed here without providing too much detail to spoil the plot) : Nixon, JFK, Woodward & Bernstein, the Manhattan project, the Vietnam War...
Towards the end the book poses 2 moral and ethical questions that have plagued mankind since its inception: Can the desire to live outweigh the desire to destroy? and Does the outcome absolve the method?
The authors leave it up to you to decide.
That said, I really enjoyed reading this book (another book club choice). It is interesting to see this alternative history of the Cold War. Some of the imagery and sentiments I recognize from history class (not being old enough to remember first-hand this time period - the book takes place in 1985 the year I was born): the dread of the Soviets launching an attack, paranoia, bomb shelters. But (from my understanding) in our reality, most of this had faded by 1985.
The hard-lined division between left and right was interesting too. Fascist vs communist, the the Watchmen world, is still very much alive. There was plenty of Nazi imagery and illusions (swastikas, a concert titled "Krystalnacht") which I found confusing because the book made obvious references to the Holocaust and it seems incredible that even in this alternate reality a neo-Nazi culture could remain so large and semi-mainstream after those horrifying events.
As I'm sure it has been pointed out, an understanding of late 20th century American history is vital to fully appreciating this graphic novel. My knowledge in this area is sufficient, I believe, but may be lacking n full mastery so there are probably bits that have gone over my head. Still, even people who have not taken history since high school should be able to pick up on the bits of history from our reality that have changed (some listed here without providing too much detail to spoil the plot) : Nixon, JFK, Woodward & Bernstein, the Manhattan project, the Vietnam War...
Towards the end the book poses 2 moral and ethical questions that have plagued mankind since its inception: Can the desire to live outweigh the desire to destroy? and Does the outcome absolve the method?
The authors leave it up to you to decide.
OH MY GOD. I read this turning page after page in amazement and just being swept up in the intense history and thrill of the universe. And then I pimped and pimped it to everyone I could, and most of them love it too.
Well, I see why this is a classic.
I mean, what can I say that hasn't been said a million times? Fully formed, flawed characters, multiple interlocked storylines, interludes of relevant media like news clippings (love it!), a whammo! ending. I mean, shit. Wow.
I mean, what can I say that hasn't been said a million times? Fully formed, flawed characters, multiple interlocked storylines, interludes of relevant media like news clippings (love it!), a whammo! ending. I mean, shit. Wow.
Oh, god. I wanted to love this. But it took such a long time to understand what the fuck was going on. The multiple time points and POVs were a real struggle, to be honest.
Dr. Manhattan was a high point for me. The low point was that the black text wasn't quite dark enough against the colored backgrounds, I literally had to squint more than once to read the panels.
Dr. Manhattan was a high point for me. The low point was that the black text wasn't quite dark enough against the colored backgrounds, I literally had to squint more than once to read the panels.
Trigger warning - rape
I love comic books and graphic novels so why I haven't read this yet I have no idea. But I finally read it and wow. I loved it so much. The complexity of the characters and the gorgeous art. It's just fantastic. Easily the best graphic novel ever.
I love comic books and graphic novels so why I haven't read this yet I have no idea. But I finally read it and wow. I loved it so much. The complexity of the characters and the gorgeous art. It's just fantastic. Easily the best graphic novel ever.
3.5/5 Stars
I finally read this book! It was for class, but still. I feel like I just joined the ranks of the elite graphic novel connoisseurs or something.
I finally read this book! It was for class, but still. I feel like I just joined the ranks of the elite graphic novel connoisseurs or something.