Watchmen

[Zeste]

Didn't see a thread dedicated to the novel in here, I know there's a few in the comic thread and the TV/Movie houses, but I wanted to discusses this book specifically in graphic novel form.

I just bought it yesterday and am reading it at a medium pace. About 30 pages in so far, and it's pretty good. I wasn't quite sure how the tone would be, I didn't know if it was for everyone, or if you should be a superhero fan first. It seems like Moore is sort of expecting us to "get" how superheroes and villains work, there's alot of comic and superhero ideas thrown around without explanation. Which is fine, but someone who has NEVER read a serious comic before might miss out.

I actually got into this because of Heroes. I had maybe heard of the Watchmen before, but it wasn't until Heroes was accused of being a rip-off that I got interested. Right now, they feel pretty sepererate, but maybe that changes as the book moves forward. I really liked Heroes, so it will be interesting to see if either tarnishes the other. I can already feel the literary quality in this book though, it's definitely earned the praise it has received.

Anyways, should have it done in a few days and I can come back and chat.

[Vorph]

With J. Michael Straczynski's work (Rising Stars, Supreme Power) the Heroes-ripped-me-off vibe is immediate. With Watchmen you won't pick up on it until nearly the end.

[Candiarie]

One thing I mentioned in the other thread but has still been bugging me since I don't have the time to re-read it (too busy with ol Lucifer):

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Where did the psychic part of the psychic explosion monster come from? The wiki article only mentions that certain characters are alluded to being psychic, but apparently that went right over my head when it happened.

And yes Vorph's right, it'll take a little bit before the Heroes-ripped-me-off part becomes fully realized, but once it happens I'm sure you'll realize what everyone is referring to.

[Vorph]

Originally Posted by Candiarie

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Where did the psychic part of the psychic explosion monster come from? The wiki article only mentions that certain characters are alluded to being psychic, but apparently that went right over my head when it happened.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

He cloned the monster's brain from an [unnamed] human psychic's.

[Candiarie]

Originally Posted by Vorph

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

He cloned the monster's brain from an [unnamed] human psychic's.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Oh okay, I must have missed that part. I thought there was something more to it than it was just some guy; I didn't remember there being any mention of psychics by the time I got to the description of the monster and was kind of taken off guard. Thanks.

[CabbitCabbit]

One of my favorite comics of all time, right up there with Alan Moore's Swamp thing.

I hear they're cutting out the Black Freighter section in the movie

[Lusiphur]

Originally Posted by Vorph

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

He cloned the monster's brain from an [unnamed] human psychic's.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Pretty sure the psychic's name is mentioned, Robert Deschames ?. Veidt mentions it as a throwaway aside. At work so can't check

[Warrik]

To me, Watchmen was one of the best Graphic Novels around. I'm really hoping that they do it justice with the film.

[Burkex]

Watchmen was great, I just reread it again actually and it still held up. It had many elements that made it so great too, such as the pirate side story which could have been a book on it's own.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

I would have to say that my favorite thing in the book is the Rorschach char. Rorschach is prob my favorite chars in any comic book/graphic novel. He does not have a flashy costume, he does not have super powers, but rather he is a dirty/sleezy hero. He has holes in his clothes and socks. He left his costume in an alley and was kind of a scrub. His breath and body odor were really bad, etc. He was pretty much the anti-hero imo and that is why I loved him. Batman was rich and fought a certain way not killing his enemies or doing anything that was looked down upon by the police. Rorschach was poor. He killed his enemies and in bad ways like burning them to death with a can of gas or when he threw the french fry burning oil in that guys face, not many other comic book heros do that (My other fav Marv from Sin City does but he wasn't a costumed hero). His costume wasn't elaborate, and unlike normal hero back stories his was pretty messed up and graphic. His capture, interview by the psycharist, and his escape/survival in jail, was by far my favorite parts of the story. Especially when he is locked up in his cell and his enemies are on the other side trying to get in and kill him. If you took Rorschach out of Watchmen I don't think I would have liked it, well maybe just a little bit but not to the level that I love it now.

[Vorph]

Definitely agree about Rorschach, he's what made Watchmen great to me too.

And last I read, Black Freighter was now a 'go' for the movie version. Latest rumor from Comic Con '07 is that Gerard Butler will be heading up the Black Freighter cast.

[Angerz]

Originally Posted by Vorph

And last I read, Black Freighter was now a 'go' for the movie version. Latest rumor from Comic Con '07 is that Gerard Butler will be heading up the Black Freighter cast.

Epic.

[Candiarie]

Agreed. But now I can see the movie being confusing as all hell. Careface.

[Grimmlokk]

Watchmen movie thread is thattaway.

This thread is probably making a vein in Millie's head pulse. It's a book thread, about a TV series, derailed into movie talk. now if we can just get someone to bring up the soundtrack for the movie...

[Vorph]

Originally Posted by Grimmlokk

now if we can just get someone to bring up the soundtrack for the movie...

The movie is going to be a musical, didn't you hear?

[OneofOne]

Been one of my favorite books since I picked it up lo those many years ago, but I have a sneaky feeling I'm just about the only one here who thinks the Black Freighter side story was completely not needed. It felt like a prop for people who didn't understand the story (I mean, you see a shorter version of it in Ozzy's justifications at the end). I dunno, that's how I've always thought about it. Really don't want to see it in the movie =/

(Favorite 2 parts of course being Dr Manhatten's introspection scene, and Rorschach's *origin*)