Roni G. posted on October 21, 2009
A bleak dark world. People who fear to walk the streets, at any time of day. Masked superheroes run the world at night, but even then they’re ostracized for being masked superheroes. Years after people stop caring about the safety of others, the heroes that they used to love are tracked down by mobs and killed.
We’re talking Watchmen, folks. The award-winning graphic novel-turned-movie, filled with hate, love, lust, fear, blood and death. So needless to say, this one’s not for the kids.
We start our story off with the death of a great hero: The Comedian. Should be sad, right? Well, as we see through flash-backs of his associates, he wasn’t that great of a guy. But he was murdered, so despite who he was, crime-fighter Rorschach is off to find the culprit. One reason we love Rorschach: his mask, his whole persona, basically, is based off those Rorschach tests psychologists give people. The black and white of the mask actually move, but never blend into gray. Cool stuff.
The story continues with fights, betrayals, sex, even MORE flashbacks and more fun stuff. Like I stated before: this one’s not for the young/faint of heart.
One thing you have to love about this comic is its legacy. Watchmen was created in the 80’s, when the only heroes they had were Batman and Superman. The characters of Watchmen were unique in the fact that Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons created them to look at the darker side of the superhero trade. It’s wonderfully refreshing, especially when you look at the recurring quote that produces a theme in the novel: Who watches the Watchmen? Then there’s the artwork. Sure, when you first look at it, it may almost look a little faded, but it adds charm to the entire novel. A 9 on the scale of Awesomeness.
So, if you’re in search for a good read, Watchmen can be found at almost any bookstore or comic store. Run, people, before they’re gone!
~story by Roni Gosch