It is listed as one of Time's Top 100 Novels ever and it is coming to a theater near you this Friday, March 6. I know of two people who have seen it. Both reviewers have said it is great, freaking great. As with all adaptations to film there is a big old but a comin'. You can use your Google fingers and figure all of that out on your own.
When Larry @ Simple Thoughts of a Complex Mind introduced me to WATCHMEN years ago I took it home, glanced over it, and handed it back. The art was problematic for me and I rebuffed it altogether. Since then, I've opened my mind to all kinds of comic literature, writing styles and art interpretations.
Whether we like it or not, WATCHMEN is a key member in the small cadre known as the comic canon. There's plenty of discussions about whether or not we should accept such an academic exercise as to have a comic canon. I took up the mantle, bought myself my own private copy and agreed to have a more open mind. It was not at all hard to do so this time around. I was mentally ready for an expansion of my comic appreciation and I looked forward to the experience.
I have to tell you that a one-time read is not nearly enough to understand the nuances and depth that WATCHMEN presents. It is at times complex and other times perplexing. It is dark and hard and very slow paced. Slow as molasses. WATCHMEN gets in no hurry to tell its story, but once you get to Rorschach – dear crazy-but-cool Rorschach – the story grabs you by the shorts and keeps a clenched fist. At least that is when it really got good for me. I was invested, interested and ready to finish this modern masterpiece.
When Larry @ Simple Thoughts of a Complex Mind introduced me to WATCHMEN years ago I took it home, glanced over it, and handed it back. The art was problematic for me and I rebuffed it altogether. Since then, I've opened my mind to all kinds of comic literature, writing styles and art interpretations.
Whether we like it or not, WATCHMEN is a key member in the small cadre known as the comic canon. There's plenty of discussions about whether or not we should accept such an academic exercise as to have a comic canon. I took up the mantle, bought myself my own private copy and agreed to have a more open mind. It was not at all hard to do so this time around. I was mentally ready for an expansion of my comic appreciation and I looked forward to the experience.
I have to tell you that a one-time read is not nearly enough to understand the nuances and depth that WATCHMEN presents. It is at times complex and other times perplexing. It is dark and hard and very slow paced. Slow as molasses. WATCHMEN gets in no hurry to tell its story, but once you get to Rorschach – dear crazy-but-cool Rorschach – the story grabs you by the shorts and keeps a clenched fist. At least that is when it really got good for me. I was invested, interested and ready to finish this modern masterpiece.
I think WATCHMEN (the comic, the movie, the buzz and glory) is worth it. I say that because there is something special about stories that make people want to read. We should celebrate those works and find ways to tap into what makes them great.
Did you know that you can rent the WATCHMEN animated motion comic? It's due out this Tuesday. Also coming is the animated WATCHMEN: Tales of the Black Freighter. For those of you not in the know, WATCHMEN has an allegorical comic interwoven into the storyline called Tale of the Black Freighter, which will not show up in the movie.
Click here for all kinds of analysis, criticism and reviews of all things WATCHMEN.
Did you know that you can rent the WATCHMEN animated motion comic? It's due out this Tuesday. Also coming is the animated WATCHMEN: Tales of the Black Freighter. For those of you not in the know, WATCHMEN has an allegorical comic interwoven into the storyline called Tale of the Black Freighter, which will not show up in the movie.
Click here for all kinds of analysis, criticism and reviews of all things WATCHMEN.
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2 comments:
I am SO ready for this movie.
The only thing I'm worried about is having expectations too high to enjoy it.
I'll be at the movie theatre Saturday ready to go.
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