Title: Watchmen
Author: Alan Moore
Publisher: DC Comics 1995
Genre: Graphic Novel
Pages: 416
Rating: 5 / 5 stars
Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; April Read-a-Thon; Page to Screen
Another graphic novel… or is this a trade paperback? Okay all you geeky people, feel free to correct me. I saw the movie before I read the book, but I really did want to read the book.
The novel: Different characters narrate different chapters. This gives a greater insight to those who tend to be one dimensional on screen. For example, Dr. Manhattan seems like a tool until I read chapter IV: Watchmaker. Moore lets us see the conflicts inside Jon even when others don’t understand. We actually get a sense of seeing all of time as one. Brilliant! My favorite quote:
Perhaps the world is not made. Perhaps nothing is made. Perhaps it simply is, has been will always be there… A clock without a craftsman.
Beyond the characters, I loved the inclusion of excerpts from Hollis’ book. The movie mentions it, and we see much of the past through flashbacks, but I loved hearing him telling it. We see the rise and fall of the superheroes along with the rise and fall of the country. It makes so much more sense with the bit of history.
The movie: I watched the movie right after it came out, but decided to watch it again after reading the novel. The rewatch affirmed that I really did like the movie. I just understand it a bit more after reading the novel. The visuals are stunning. I loved the colors, the music (it’s in the book, but in quotes), the costumes. Seeing everything come to life in a slightly nonrealistic way was a highlight. Overall I think Zak Snyder did a good job bringing Watchmen to life.
Matt
May 1, 2011 at 10:06 pm
As one friend of mine put it, the term graphic novel is for elitists that can admit they are reading a “comic book”, term belittles comics.
What are your thoughts on the drastic change in the ending between book and film?
Do you think the motif of impending nuclear destruction and the end of the human race still holds as much weight in a post Cold War / Reagan era?
One thing I’ve never really agreed with is the suggestion that Watchmen was a strong commentary on the state of comics (even if Moire suggested it). I don’t see it as being as revolutionary especially when compared to the early Frank Millar ( also The Dark Knight is over rated. Yeah I said it), and the crazy stuff Kirby was inventing in the 70′s.
Personally, Moore’s books have always been ejoyable, but I’ve never been able to accept him as the end-all, be-all messiah of comics that he is made out to be. My biggest fear is that he will die an early death and the world will turn him into a prophet ( Hey it happened to David Foster Wallace).
I’ll end with a couple suggestion on next reads:
Transmetropolitan, All-Star Superman, Scalped, and Parker: The Hunted
Tobe
May 1, 2011 at 10:15 pm
Ending: I think the ending makes sense for a 21st century movie audience. Expect for those of us that have a real sense of history and societal commentary, the written ending wouldn’t make a lot of sense or really hit home.
Nuclear War: I don’t think most people have the same sense of impending doom as they did during the Cold War. Sure, we intellectually understand that countries have nuclear weapons that could destroy a country instantly. We just don’t think anyone would actually use them. Our thoughts have turned more to the depletion of fossil fuels and global warming. The nuclear war angle just don’t hit home like it did.
I’ve only just started to journey into the graphic novel/comic realm. So far, I have enjoyed Alan Moore. But, I still love my Jane Austen and Poe more. It’s an interesting direction in my reading. I want to continue, but won’t give up all the other genres and styles that I read.
As to the suggestions, I will have to look into those.
Thanks for reading Matt!