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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have long enjoyed graphic novels, but I don't get the opportunity to read them as frequently as I'd like. I was assigned this for class, however, and I am so glad because it is an incredibly poignant work. Moore comments on fascism and censorship with an apocalyptic backdrop, writing this in the midst of the red scare. While this is a challenging work to write a review on because there is so much in it, I highly recommend the work because it is incredibly literary and enjoyable. You hardly want to put it down while you read it. He masters the graphic novel form; his pairing of the panel images with the writing is incredible. I highly recommend everyone read this book because it includes incredible political commentary, it is a powerful work, and it is extremely captivating.
"'In the end'? Nothing ends, Adrian. Nothing ever ends."
I've been so excited to glaze this >:)
The pinnacle of graphic novels. I don't think I'll find a better comic book series. The illustrations and story could've been released today, its influence and artistic superiority standing the test of time. Every character has strengths in their driving forces that we should apply in our own lives, as well as fatal flaws we should make sure to look out for. Alan Moore covers every conceivable moral perspective on war, law enforcement, and blind faith in a higher purpose. I'm typically not a fan of the types of epics that handle these themes impersonally (like Dune), but Watchmen does it without feeling unnecessary and hypothetical. My timing for finishing this is also so strange, coming just off Trump's ear bleeding or whatever.
Still, the two special-ability, larger than life humans are the most personally complex and important characters to consider. Doc Manhattan's entire existential crisis spoke personal volumes, though. He feels like a false hero, isolated and pushing forward at the expense of everyone he's ever cared about. Seeing the world as it is and constantly fighting how futile life can feel. Ozymandias is undoubtedly based off the psychohistorians in Asimov's Foundation series, and it's gorgeously tied into larger themes about political power. Times like these make me want to shit on Attack on Titan, but I won't. But this and Monster do AoT's loser premise of "wahhh edgy man wants big sacrifice crime and punishmnet core" but way better.
How Moore's able to juggle three concurrent plots (Rorscach, Laurie, and "Marooned"), while still maintaining the superiority of each storyline, is totally beyond me. The higher purposes we serve are simply our emotions controlling us, and life is far too short to spend it in abstract moral prisons, shakily defined by society. It ties together so well in the last chapter!! It's beyond me how smart this was. And now I get to pick up right where it left off with the HBO show.
I've been so excited to glaze this >:)
The pinnacle of graphic novels. I don't think I'll find a better comic book series. The illustrations and story could've been released today, its influence and artistic superiority standing the test of time. Every character has strengths in their driving forces that we should apply in our own lives, as well as fatal flaws we should make sure to look out for. Alan Moore covers every conceivable moral perspective on war, law enforcement, and blind faith in a higher purpose. I'm typically not a fan of the types of epics that handle these themes impersonally (like Dune), but Watchmen does it without feeling unnecessary and hypothetical. My timing for finishing this is also so strange, coming just off Trump's ear bleeding or whatever.
Still, the two special-ability, larger than life humans are the most personally complex and important characters to consider. Doc Manhattan's entire existential crisis spoke personal volumes, though. He feels like a false hero, isolated and pushing forward at the expense of everyone he's ever cared about. Seeing the world as it is and constantly fighting how futile life can feel. Ozymandias is undoubtedly based off the psychohistorians in Asimov's Foundation series, and it's gorgeously tied into larger themes about political power. Times like these make me want to shit on Attack on Titan, but I won't. But this and Monster do AoT's loser premise of "wahhh edgy man wants big sacrifice crime and punishmnet core" but way better.
How Moore's able to juggle three concurrent plots (Rorscach, Laurie, and "Marooned"), while still maintaining the superiority of each storyline, is totally beyond me. The higher purposes we serve are simply our emotions controlling us, and life is far too short to spend it in abstract moral prisons, shakily defined by society. It ties together so well in the last chapter!! It's beyond me how smart this was. And now I get to pick up right where it left off with the HBO show.
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First of all, this is not a quick read. Sometimes I found myself invested in two pages for ten minutes. Second, this is nothing like what I was expecting. There is so much philosophy and existentialism in this book which I'm cool with, but was definitely an overload. How the overall plot was wrapped around and twisted was interesting and had great skill involved to stitch it all together. The superheroes, for once, were not meant be be loved and adored but extremely flawed.
I gave this 4 out of 5 stars because I felt it was a bit longer than necessary and the entertainment factor was lacking. It was an extremely thought provoking graphic novel though.
I gave this 4 out of 5 stars because I felt it was a bit longer than necessary and the entertainment factor was lacking. It was an extremely thought provoking graphic novel though.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wish there was a word that’s like ‘cinematic’ for comics because that’s what this is… I love how they intersperse two scenes and have the dialogue of one play over the visuals of another, I think that’s called “pre-lap” in movies. The way flashbacks are integrated is very natural.
I love noir-esque characters which I think Rorschach falls into. I love how he breaks and enters and then says “be seeing you” mmh!!!!! Also the way he drops some words/pronouns/articles when he speaks also fun! (Not sure if this is how Allen Moore intended it but being ugly and talking weird and being uncomfortable with sexuality—not bad things!! The actions Rorschach takes and being a misogynist, yes, bad things)
I know someone out there has made a college class going over Political Events of the 20th Century Through the Lens of Watchmen and I would like to take it…. So far major deviations from real life ive noticed are dr Manhattan won the Vietnam war for the usa, and the Watergate stuff, and the comedian resolved the Iranian Hostage Crisis (how???). definitely will need to reread a few times…
Very masterful juggling of multiple characters and their distinct backstories, this would have been incredibly confusing to me if this information was described in a different narrative style. And even the smaller characters you get to know, like the NYC newspaper seller and comic reader pay off in a big way…
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes