A few years ago, for the first time, I read Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.
It left me in wonder. I read it because it was called one of the Top 100 novels of the last century. Not graphic novels. Novels. I was curious how a graphic novel could end up on such a list. After reading it, I found out why. It is definitely one of the best stories I’ve read. It has so much literary merit that it required me to read pages multiple times, not only reading Moore’s fantastic writing but also paying attention to every panel’s artwork by Gibbons. Once I finished, I reread it immediately, in an attempt to discover the things I had missed on the first read, mostly how the characters’ pasts tied into their present.
Watchmen was originally published in 1986. A few years later, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons had a large falling out with DC Comics, resulting in no possibility for a prequel or sequel done by the original creative team.
As of last week, that’s changed. DC announced it will publish seven prequel series under the Before Watchmen banner. Before Watchmen is a prequel that will apparently illuminate more of the past stories of the characters in Watchmen. Among the creators involved are writers J. Michael Straczynski, Brian Azzarello, Darwyn Cooke, and Len Wein, and artists Lee Bermejo, J. G. Jones, Adam Hughes, Andy Kubert, Joe Kubert, and Amanda Conner.
Here are the titles coming out this summer:
- RORSCHACH – Writer: Azzarello. Artist: Bermejo
- MINUTEMEN – Writer/Artist: Cooke
- COMEDIAN – Writer: Azzarello. Artist: Jones
- DR. MANHATTAN – Writer: Straczynski. Artist: Hughes
- NITE OWL – Writer: Straczynski. Artists: Kubert
- OZYMANDIAS – Writer: Wein. Artist: Lee
- SILK SPECTRE – Writer: Cooke. Artist: Conner
That is one helluva line-up. I am particularly excited about Len Wein and Jae Lee on Ozymandias, J. Michael Straczynski and the Kubert family on Nite Owl, and Straczynski and Adam Hughes on Dr. Manhattan.
There are people out there who are not excited about this project though. It is controversial. Originally, Moore considered doing a prequel project like Before Watchmen but when he and DC Comics parted ways due to contractual and financial disagreement, it drove a wedge between them that has never been repaired. Some side with Moore, who doesn’t want to see other Watchmen work done if not under his control; some side with DC Comics, who paid Moore for his work in 1986 and legally own the rights to Watchmen.
Controversy aside, Before Watchmen will be the comic book event of the summer, especially with the talent gathered to write the seven titles.
The poll question is: Which Before Watchmen titles will you buy?
