By: Alan Moore Publisher: DC Comics Average Rating: Binding: Hardcover Label: DC Comics Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 464 Publication Date: October 05, 2005 Release Date: November 01, 2005
Product Description: This Hugo Award-winning graphic novel chronicles the fall from grace of a group of super-heroes plagued by all-too-human failings. Along the way, the concept of the super-hero is dissected as the heroes are stalked by an unknown assassin.
One of the most influential graphic novels of all time and a perennial bestseller, WATCHMEN has been studied on college campuses across the nation and is considered a gateway title, leading readers to other graphic novels such as V FOR VENDETTA, BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS and THE SANDMAN series.
Amazon.com: Has any comic been as acclaimed as Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen? Possibly only Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, but Watchmen remains the critics' favorite. Why? Because Moore is a better writer, and Watchmen a more complex and dark and literate creation than Miller's fantastic, subversive take on the Batman myth. Moore, renowned for many other of the genre's finest creations (Saga of the Swamp Thing, V for Vendetta, and From Hell, with Eddie Campbell) first put out Watchmen in 12 issues for DC in 1986-87. It won a comic award at the time (the 1987 Jack Kirby Comics Industry Awards for Best Writer/Artist combination) and has continued to gather praise since.
The story concerns a group called the Crimebusters and a plot to kill and discredit them. Moore's characterization is as sophisticated as any novel's. Importantly the costumes do not get in the way of the storytelling; rather they allow Moore to investigate issues of power and control--indeed it was Watchmen, and to a lesser extent Dark Knight, that propelled the comic genre forward, making "adult" comics a reality. The artwork of Gibbons (best known for 2000AD's Rogue Trooper and DC's Green Lantern) is very fine too, echoing Moore's paranoid mood perfectly throughout. Packed with symbolism, some of the overlying themes (arms control, nuclear threat, vigilantes) have dated but the intelligent social and political commentary, the structure of the story itself, its intertextuality (chapters appended with excerpts from other "works" and "studies" on Moore's characters, or with excerpts from another comic book being read by a child within the story), the finepace of the writing and its humanity mean that Watchmen more than stands up--it keeps its crown as the best the genre has yet produced. --Mark Thwaite
Don't miss this one. The work created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons is one of those rarities that transcend genres. Rorschach is the main character and his personality makes one wonder if he's the good, the bad, or the ugly. Is he judge, jury, and executioner or is he the outlaw he seems to hunt? So if Rorschach is the "hero" who plays the villain? Ah, that is something you'll have to discover for yourself...I will tell you the "villain" has almost the same personality traits as Rorschach. As for the graphics....simply splendid. This is a book you'll kick yourself if pass on it.
Editor of the highly recommended novel: Fates by Georgiou, Tino Fates (2nd Edition)
Watchmen... Why are you so flawless... AMAZING Every once in a while a miracle occurs... and the miracle of comics is WATCHMEN! This tale is perfectly spun from the superheroes of old. Watchmen shows what graphic novels can achieve moving it from child's play into a piece of art. Words cannot describe the complexity, brilliance, or power that this novel brings. No one has ever achieved what Alan Moore has in this novel. He redefined the medium, he brought it to its knees. Inspiring and moving comics to intellectual pieces of talent. This masterwork is brilliant think of it as the Godfather of comics. Really nothing can describe it just read and be awestruck...
Must read for any fan who wants to know more! This is the story behind the movie. It is a deeper insight - you can be a spoiler for all your friends. If you have any interest at all you have to read this!
Who watches the Watchmen? This is a fantastic graphic novel. Do yourself a favor and immerse your mind into this book before the film version comes out next March. I looked around for it and I found it cheapest on Amazon.
Watchmen is as great as ever Whats ironic about re-reading this book now is the fact that the world is where it is. Poverty, homelessness, lack of tolerance, invasions, corrupt people and government, the human heart and our need to be loved and understood. Of course these aren't new things, BUT Watchmen does it in such a brilliant way. Can't wait to see if the movie does it justice.
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