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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Can comic books and graphic novels be “high art”? If you think the answer is yes, you’re correct. If you think the answer is no, go read Watchmen.
Comics have never really been my thing- I love books because of the rich descriptions and intricate storytelling, and I love movies because of the beautiful visuals, cinematography, and acting. I always saw comics as a medium that never fully embraced either, and therefore could never reach the same heights. Sometimes this is true, too- when a comic is weak on story/dialogue AND has unimpressive artwork, what on earth is the point? Not an issue with Watchmen, however.
I’ll start with the artwork, which is absolutely gorgeous. The character design, the striking imagery, the use of color, the cinematic way that each panel leads into the next… It’s some of the best illustration I’ve ever seen. Then there’s everything else- the story, the character development, the dialogue, the world-building, the thematic depth… There’s so much greatness here that I’m intimidated by the idea of breaking it all down. Long story short, it’s an alternate-reality dystopian masterpiece with a superhero twist and a Cold War setting. It’s dripping with sharp satire and philosophical wit and, like the best dystopian tales, it serves as a warning for future generations. The characters are well realized and surprisingly sympathetic, and the plot is gripping and unpredictable. I can’t recommend it enough. It is better than most actual books I’ve read and deserves to be recognized for what it really is- classic literature. I would go so far as to make it required reading for students.
Go experience this graphic novel! Let it wash over you. Take the time to absorb the amazing artwork, and think about the lessons it teaches. They’re more relevant now than ever before (another hallmark of great dystopian literature). Check out the movie version afterward for a real treat; it’s one of the most perfect adaptations of all time, though it's missing some of the subtlety and subtext of the original. Then get hyped about the upcoming HBO show, because it will likely provide everything that the movie didn't! 10/10
Comics have never really been my thing- I love books because of the rich descriptions and intricate storytelling, and I love movies because of the beautiful visuals, cinematography, and acting. I always saw comics as a medium that never fully embraced either, and therefore could never reach the same heights. Sometimes this is true, too- when a comic is weak on story/dialogue AND has unimpressive artwork, what on earth is the point? Not an issue with Watchmen, however.
I’ll start with the artwork, which is absolutely gorgeous. The character design, the striking imagery, the use of color, the cinematic way that each panel leads into the next… It’s some of the best illustration I’ve ever seen. Then there’s everything else- the story, the character development, the dialogue, the world-building, the thematic depth… There’s so much greatness here that I’m intimidated by the idea of breaking it all down. Long story short, it’s an alternate-reality dystopian masterpiece with a superhero twist and a Cold War setting. It’s dripping with sharp satire and philosophical wit and, like the best dystopian tales, it serves as a warning for future generations. The characters are well realized and surprisingly sympathetic, and the plot is gripping and unpredictable. I can’t recommend it enough. It is better than most actual books I’ve read and deserves to be recognized for what it really is- classic literature. I would go so far as to make it required reading for students.
Go experience this graphic novel! Let it wash over you. Take the time to absorb the amazing artwork, and think about the lessons it teaches. They’re more relevant now than ever before (another hallmark of great dystopian literature). Check out the movie version afterward for a real treat; it’s one of the most perfect adaptations of all time, though it's missing some of the subtlety and subtext of the original. Then get hyped about the upcoming HBO show, because it will likely provide everything that the movie didn't! 10/10
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While I understand reading material with ideas, language, etc. that is offensive now but more common place in the storyline or time period. I could not get past the discrimination in the narrative. For some reason, it didn’t ‘hit’ right to be able to move past it.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fabulous, thought provoking, philosophical.
Art doesn't live up to standards set by other elements of the book.
Art doesn't live up to standards set by other elements of the book.
Whew, this is a HEFTY read. I'm used to comics being a fairly quick read, but The Watchmen actively fights against that, with lengthy text sections that add a lot to the comic story and should not be skipped.
It's deep. It's dark. It captures the mood of ah era perfectly, and the character development is *fantastic*. I was expecting to loathe rapist The Comedian and whiny friend-zone obsessed Nite Owl, but the characters have such depth and complexity that I COULDN'T entirely hate those jerks. I understood too much about the loneliness and traumas that had driven them to their current selves.
Everyone in this story is damaged and unlikeable in one way or another, but the way they are characterised is some of the best work I've seen in any comic. It's not that they're portrayed sympathetically, either. They are all ruthlessly judged for what they've done, given not even a shred of forgiveness for their mistakes. It is understood that they are fucked up people repeatedly fucking things up in an extremely fucked up world, and somehow, in the middle of this, they become sympathetic.
It's a hell of a read. I prefer the tighter, grittier movie ending, but the comic as a whole provides a much deeper experience.
It's deep. It's dark. It captures the mood of ah era perfectly, and the character development is *fantastic*. I was expecting to loathe rapist The Comedian and whiny friend-zone obsessed Nite Owl, but the characters have such depth and complexity that I COULDN'T entirely hate those jerks. I understood too much about the loneliness and traumas that had driven them to their current selves.
Everyone in this story is damaged and unlikeable in one way or another, but the way they are characterised is some of the best work I've seen in any comic. It's not that they're portrayed sympathetically, either. They are all ruthlessly judged for what they've done, given not even a shred of forgiveness for their mistakes. It is understood that they are fucked up people repeatedly fucking things up in an extremely fucked up world, and somehow, in the middle of this, they become sympathetic.
It's a hell of a read. I prefer the tighter, grittier movie ending, but the comic as a whole provides a much deeper experience.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
was a good story but could have been shorter and still fit everything in.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An incredible story, so well thought through and beautiful art. Nothing to add that hasn’t already been said.