Watchmen by Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons
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Book Reviews of Watchmen
Book Review: Ambitious and Addled
Summary: 4 Stars
People told me that this would be the ultimate graphic novel experience and it was in a way, but dated Cold War elements have made this one a little topheavy. I wonder how the forthcoming movie version will play, or if the nuclear threat plot has been toned down or something? Time, or AICN, will tell, I suppose, but at the end of the day I found myself thinking, when the ridiculously contrived superplot was revealed, that how was this supposed to actually alter the course of history? At any moment any number of its complicated twists and turns might have gone wrong. Just like the Roger Moore Bond films, the villain brags on and on for hours at the end, detailing every move he made for otherwise we would never be able to grasp the extent of his skullduggery. Well, this "bragging" scene happens in every action show or novel now, but Moore disappointed me, I thought he was above such showboating.
The storyline is great for the most part (till the last 3 or 4 comics) with the triangle of Silk Spectre, Nite Owl, Dr Manhattan tantalizingly slow to resolve itself--though how did Laurie deal with that little blue nub of Dr. Manhattan's, bobbling above that ponderous sack ofballs, that nubby nothing which looks so huge in the scenes where he stalks the earth as a giant? No wonder she fled to Dan's more normal size masculinity, even though he's fortyish and his body nothing much.
The minor characters are uniformly perverse, unsympathetic, nasty and brutish--made it hard to care about the world's possible destruction. And Laurie crying about the pink and yellow rice spilled on the bodies of the scattered New Yorkers--it was an inspired and risky choice that just doesn't cut it, if you ask me. But for many the scene is probably one of the most wrenching and powerful in the whole of literature, so don't go by me. Same with the "Tales of the Black Freighter"--rigorously plotted allegorical masterpiece, or confusing sub Knut Hamsun junk? Eye of the beholder, brother.
Book Review: A strong book but has weaknesses
Summary: 5 Stars
First things first what I liked about this book is it touches themes about humanity, and how certain events comparable to the shooting of Arch-Duke Ferdinand or how Germany invaded France could trigger a global world. This is what I liked about this book it still echos sentiment about the present now if it dealt with human pandemics like AIDS it would have been more then a book it would have been a prophecy. The end page about Tandoori Chicken now was really comical as well but if you want me to explain what I am talking about you should read the book. In this book Nixon is still President and the Soviet Union invading Afghanistan would have triggered a World War if certain events which have not played out at the end would have clinched it. This book is over 20 years old and was and is ahead of its time so it is no coincidence it is Time Magazine's 100 best novels.
Now I will talk about what I don't like that is why I love writing reviews what I didn't like was I did not feel any strong attachments to any of the minor characters since the novel was focused on telling a story now that is not totally a bad thing but for me I would like to feel some bond to some characters and knowing more about these minor characters who were briefly mentioned would have even been more compelling.
The only character that I felt any strong sentiment dies at the end and his name is Rorshach a character who has an unending crusade to find the truth dies because the other heroes did not want him to tell the truth was heartbreaking because there is no opportunity for a sequel since it is 23 years later and Moore hasn't written anything to follow up this book. This is even compounded by the fact that the movie that is coming out next year will not have a sequel as evidenced by online reviews.
Book Review: Wow! Simply a great read!
Summary: 5 Stars
I read that this book is one of the best graphic novels out there, so I was intrigued, but what got me to buy this book was that it is going to feature film and is on slate for release March '09. Outside of all that, I read the book, cover to cover, in 3 days, man I couldn't put it down, and I work full time. The characters are just fantastic, and the framing of every scene is like nothing I've ever seen, it's a ride that I didn't want to end, but when it did come I was too eager to start reading again, making sure I hadn't missed anything. You actually root for these people who are trying to save the world.Book Review: superstars revisited
Summary: 4 Stars
This comic was recommended to me, but I would never have picked it up myself - it looks like and has the feel of the old superhero comics which I do not like at all (except for The Spirit). But this one is deeper than you might think - it's a serious looking parody on these very supermancomics, which makes it nice. I still don't really go for the looks of this comic, but the story is really good.Book Review: What Can Be Said?
Summary: 5 Stars
What can I say that hasn't already been said about "Watchmen"? I first read this graphic novel when it first was published. I was newbie at collecting comic books and a good friend said "Hey man, you've got to check this out." And I did and was floored, never had we (comic book readers) seen anything of this depth and caliber. I mean, "The Dark Knight Returns" was ground breaking, but "Watchmen" was something totally different. It was a novel, a incredibly detailed journey to an alternate superhero reality and it worked. I absolutely love this book and I am looking forward to Zack Snyder's interpretation. If you haven't read this book and you love comic books, then what are you waiting for?