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DC Entertainment Officially Announces "Before Watchmen"

What many have been either looking forward to or fearing is now coming true.

The idea of prequels or sequels for WATCHMEN has been brought up before. Many feel it's something that shouldn't be allowed yet it is also something that was discussed before the series was even published. After years of speculation, it's finally become a reality. We're getting more stories from the Watchmen Universe.

DC Entertainment has announced that this summer they will publish all-new stories to expand on the acclaimed series. They understand that there will be some controversy with this decision but have decided to take the plunge. DC Comics will put out seven inter-connected prequel mini-series which will "build on the foundation of the original WATCHMEN." All titles will be under the BEFORE WATCHMEN banner.

No Caption Provided

DC Entertainment Co-Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee released the following statement:

It’s our responsibility as publishers to find new ways to keep all of our characters relevant. After twenty five years, the Watchmen are classic characters whose time has come for new stories to be told. We sought out the best writers and artists in the industry to build on the complex mythology of the original.
== TEASER ==

DC will not be taking this lightly. They have lined up a list of all-star talent to handle the Watchmen Universe. We can expect the following.

- RORSCHACH (4 issues) – Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: Lee Bermejo

- MINUTEMEN (6 issues) – Writer/Artist: Darwyn Cooke

- COMEDIAN (6 issues) – Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: J.G. Jones

- DR. MANHATTAN (4 issues) – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artist: Adam Hughes

- NITE OWL (4 issues) – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artists: Andy and Joe Kubert

- OZYMANDIAS (6 issues) – Writer: Len Wein. Artist: Jae Lee

- SILK SPECTRE (4 issues) – Writer: Darwyn Cooke. Artist: Amanda Conner

Each week there will be a new issue and it will feature a two-page back-up story called "Curse of the Crimson Corsair" written by original series editor Len Wein with art by original series colorist John Higgins. There will also be a single issue, BEFORE WATCHMEN: EPILOGUE, by various writers and artists as well as a Crimson Corsair story by Wein and Higgins.

There most likely won't be any comments from Alan Moore but WATCHMEN co-creator and original series artist Dave Gibbons said the following:

The original series of WATCHMEN is the complete story that Alan Moore and I wanted to tell. However, I appreciate DC's reasons for this initiative and the wish of the artists and writers involved to pay tribute to our work. May these new additions have the success they desire.

There will be people looking forward to this. With the creators lined up, how can you not be curious. The question remains, will you be buying these?

Update

Some cover art has been released. Wired posted the cover for Ozymandias. USA Today had some Rorschach art. Hero Complex posted the Minutemen cover. New York Times posted the Comedian cover. Entertainment Weekly posted the Silk Spectre cover. The Hollywood Reporter had the Nite Owl cover. CBR had the Dr. Manhattan cover.

Click each to enlarge.

205 Comments

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BADJEREMIE

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Edited By BADJEREMIE

Rorschach and the Comedian this will be good and maybe better the original graphic novel.I dont care for the others characters/title.

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ReVamp

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Edited By ReVamp

lol

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CainPanell

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Edited By CainPanell

Wow I've never been so happy and pissed off in my life.....

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TheRedRobin96

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Edited By TheRedRobin96

Nite Owl and Rorschach are so going in my pull list!!!!!!!!!!!! YESSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO FREAKING EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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DarthShap

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Edited By DarthShap

@mattydee007 said:

You can't blame DC for trying to make a buck. You also can't blame Alan Moore's distain. But what else would you have expected? Moore "created" the MInutemen based on Steve Ditko's Charlton characters. On the other hand, books like Lost Girls and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen weren't necessarily comprised of original characters no does it? Why should they leave Watchmen alone again?

Why can't you blame Alan Moore's disdain? Since the guy is such a hypocrite, you really can (and I am a big fan of lots of his books).

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BransonHuggins

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Edited By BransonHuggins

@mikeclark1982: I 100% agree with this. I will never understand the utter love and desire to stand by everything Moore says. Look, yes he created the characters, but does that mean that others should not be allowed to build off of what he created or play in the same universe? He hates everything, he is a bitter old man at this point, who thinks that most people have no way of comprehending what he has done. Little does he realize that we do comprehend it, we can just do without the smugness.

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davidgrantlloyd

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Edited By davidgrantlloyd

Wow. It does look interesting. And there are some darn fine talents working on the titles. At the same time I've always believed 'Watchmen' should be left alone unless Moore and Gibbons were directly involved (yes, I know that's impossible)

I guess I'm torn at the moment between my purism and my curiosity ...

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WizardShazam

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Edited By WizardShazam

@Roldan said:

@Om1kron said:

Jesus Christ, first you change the name of Captain Marvel's comic now this...

Well you can blame Marvel for trademarking that name (which they don't even use anymore).

I hate DC for making me buy this. I could've easily boycotted it but the creative teams are so awesome that i'm probably gonna end up buying them all.

No, you can blame DC for suing the original Captain Marvel out of existence because they couldn't compete with his comics. Then later buying the rights back and completely wasting the character in anything that wasn't an Elseworlds story. DC got what they deserved but the character paid for it, unfortunately, and now Johns is stepping up to continue to further ruin the character (as he is apt to do).

On the topic of Watchmen, I could not be more against or uninterested in what is probably the most unneeded/unwanted 'sequel' in the history of comics, in spite of the talent involved.

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Afro_Warrior

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Edited By Afro_Warrior

First I'm loving a lot of the creative teams involved in this. Azzarello and Bermejo!!!

Second, i find it easier to just accept Alan Moore for the crotchety and insane man he's become and move one. Otherwise i'd spend all my time fuming over the complete hypocrisy of his statements after what he did in League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and more prominently Lost Girls.

I for one am loving this.

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The Impersonator

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Edited By The Impersonator

At least the good thing is that they're not going to make a sequel out of it.

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thecomicscove

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Edited By thecomicscove

I do like the creative teams involved. Azzarello, Straczynski, Kubert brothers... it does make me think that they're serious about making this as awesome as they possibly can. As to whether it'll measure up to the original... well...

I think this, as with so many other new developments, is just something we'll have to wait and see about.

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Mercy_

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Edited By Mercy_

I'll buy anything that Hughes works on (interiors), so that's a buy for me. As is Amanda Conner on the Silk Spectre. The others are eh for me at the moment.

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Mercy_

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Edited By Mercy_
A lot of folks feel that these characters shouldn't be touched by anyone other than Alan, and while that's absolutely understandable on an emotional level, it's deeply flawed on a logical level. Based on durability and recognition, one could make the argument that Superman is the greatest comics character ever created. But neither Alan nor anyone else has ever suggested that no one other than Shuster and Siegel should ever be allowed to write Superman. Alan didn't pass on being brought on to write Swamp Thing, a seminal comics character created by Len Wein, and he did a terrific job. He didn't say "No, no, I can't, that's Len's character." Nor should he have.

-JMS during an interview with CBR.

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They Killed Cap!

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Edited By They Killed Cap!

@DH69: haha

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CATPANEXE

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Edited By CATPANEXE

I saw this and the Robocop remake tonight on G4. All that can really be said is people will choose and set themselves to be upset about this, but whether the stories themselves are good or not will remain in question, and only be known to those who are willing to try new things. Personally I don't have any excitement about these. But I'll check them out if I have the chance when the time comes. I do say as well, it's not as if they're erasing all the original Watchmen comics from history. That story is still there and intact. These are there own thing, and simply, don't want the experience, don't read them. Your favorite will remain unchanged anyways. It's predictable, but just not logical nor understandable when people make problems that simply don't exist, and more act like it's something that's being done to them. Case in point.

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SuperShafe

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Edited By SuperShafe

I was unhappy to hear they were doing Watchmen prequels but then I saw Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: Lee Bermejo and thought "Just shut up and take my money."

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TheReaper111

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Edited By TheReaper111

if the writing and art is good, why not?

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Migz13

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Edited By Migz13

I have to see the reviews first because I have EXTREMELY mixed feelings about this one.... seriously. I loved the watchmen all on it's own. It's an awesome perspective on how to take comic books and the superhero genre into a whole new level of artform. It clearly is one of those books that redefined the genre for a whole new age. Seeing that universe and those characters again in a modern light and out of their designated and/or planned purpose gives me an uneasy feeling that they're just going to get f@#$* up by new people trying to make a quick buck or two. 
 
Still... if this is happening... and we all know it is... then lots of luck to them. They're gonna need it sooo bad.

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shawn87

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Edited By shawn87

One can only hope this will be good. I know I'll at least give it a chance 

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mattydeNero

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Edited By mattydeNero

@DarthShap: I think you got me confused. Because of how Moore is is why I can't blame his distain. Hypocrite, absolutely. But we all are.

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B_Heart

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Edited By B_Heart

Sounds awesome, can't wait to read them.

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Roldan

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@WizardShazam said:

@Roldan said:

@Om1kron said:

Jesus Christ, first you change the name of Captain Marvel's comic now this...

Well you can blame Marvel for trademarking that name (which they don't even use anymore).

I hate DC for making me buy this. I could've easily boycotted it but the creative teams are so awesome that i'm probably gonna end up buying them all.

No, you can blame DC for suing the original Captain Marvel out of existence because they couldn't compete with his comics. Then later buying the rights back and completely wasting the character in anything that wasn't an Elseworlds story. DC got what they deserved but the character paid for it, unfortunately, and now Johns is stepping up to continue to further ruin the character (as he is apt to do).

On the topic of Watchmen, I could not be more against or uninterested in what is probably the most unneeded/unwanted 'sequel' in the history of comics, in spite of the talent involved.

Butt-hurt much?

Sure it might have been because they Captain Marvel was selling really well at that time but you can't actually think that Captain Marvel was a ripoff of Superman. He's widely regarded as the first Superman clone so of course they'll sue Fawcett for it. At least DC publish more stories with him, something Marvel haven't. Last time Captain Marvel had something with his name on was that mini where it turned out he was a Skrull clone. Last time DC did something with Captain Marvel was 31-issue all-ages book (that was awesome). Even if you think they ruined Captain Marvel in the previous continuity, it's not like Marvel done the same thing. 4 people after Mar-Vell have used the name Captain Marvel and all of them decided to change to another one after like a day. I'm not saying that DC's Captain Marvel has had a good time always, i mean we can all agree The Trial of Shazam pretty much sucked but i don't think Geoff Johns's back-up will suck. His Aquaman is awesome and the other two books he does have been relatively good.

Also i base my entire excitement over Before Watchmen on Darwyn Cooke's involvement (also the other creators aren't to shabby). Also the most unneeded/most unwanted 'sequel' to bunch of character be Lost Girls, unless you wanted to know about the sex escapades of under-age literary characters .

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Darkmount1

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.....................Well, after reading everybody's reaction to this bit of news, I think it's time I gave my shpiel on this whole matter. I've never read the entire story, I have seen the movie. But now that I think about it, I compare Watchmen and the conversation surrounding it and what should and shouldn't be done with it NOT to Star Wars, but to The Godfather (which I saw for the first time last year). This is how I feel about Watchmen (but not about The Godfather, that WAS a good movie):

(Though in the case of the last bit where he mentions which movie he prefers, were I in his position on the subject of 12-issue comic series from 1986, I'd say this: "I love Mark Gruenwald's Squadron Supreme. That is my answer to that statement.")

I can understand that both The Godfather and Watchmen deserve their spots in pop culture at large, but I don't like it when people blow things out of proportion over any controversies that arise out of announcements made about said properties. While I wish 1) BOTH the big two would clean up their acts and start churning out new concepts and characters and stop beating around the bush with their current punching bags, 2) that comic book companies would reform the way they compensate creators, 3) that they try to bring in new people of all ages and get rid of the air of exclusivity surrounding the comic book industry, and 4) they get better qualified management for running the big two, I know that none of those will ever happen unless somebody did something radical. Me personally, if I was the one taking over DC Comics, the first thing I'd do? I'd forfeit the rights to all of Watchmen and give them right back to Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons--I'd even do it in person. Second thing? End the Superman legal battle by settling with the families in the form of giving them a fair and equal royalties deal--in fact, I'd stamp out a legal document requiring that any contribution made to a character or concept guarantees royalties to the creator of said character/concept for any use of that property (the heck with IP rules!), among other things. Third thing? I'd order a mandate of bringing comics back to mainstream retailers in the form of multiple all-ages titles, while making sure not to harm the comic shops--I'd even make a vow of the company to support those smaller retailers, and cut Diamond Distributors out of the deal. Who needs a distributor service when you can just be one yourself?

On the subject of Alan Moore, I wish he'd just stop acting like a comic-creator version of Howard Hughes (minus the OCD) and try and reconcile. Stop being so bitter, SHEESH! It's gone on too long, already people are saying things about him, why couldn't he just get off his duff and come out of the virtual exile he put himself in? Again, were I the one who took over DC, I'd try with all my might to reconcile with Moore and redeem the company in his eyes in the only way possible--by giving him back everything he felt was "swindled" from him. I'd rather let the original creators, no matter what their creation or their contribution to another's creation, have their piece of the pie--or in the case of Moore and Gibbons, the WHOLE pie.

Just to close things out, NO I will not buy or read any of these. At some point this year, I will buy only one copy of Watchmen for myself, read it, and be done with it. I don't like the story because I don't like deconstructionism--I particularly don't like that since, because of this, and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, that the late 80's and early 90's (though I was a mere toddler in that particular era) were flooded with nothing but NOT superheroes, but a bunch of gun-toting psychopaths in spandex, shoulder pads and pouches who killed more often than they arrested.

Anyone here care to argue with me over everything I just said???? Even if I triple-dog dared you???? I thought so.

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Zuckuss_02

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Edited By Zuckuss_02

I'm gonna be getting these books for sure. ALL OF THEM!

Now if only DC can go back to their previous logo, I'll be a happy camper.

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GuruOfFunk

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Edited By GuruOfFunk

Looking forward to the Bermejo/Azzarello team-up on Rorschach and Darwyn Cooke on Minutemen. People gotta give it a chance.

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Deadcool

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Edited By Deadcool

Interesting...

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rigormortis

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Edited By rigormortis

I'm disgustingly excited for these. I have no integrity...

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Darkmount1

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Edited By Darkmount1

@RigorMortis: Neither do oil execs. But who's complaining???....Oh, right, the environmental groups.

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notarandomguy

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dondasch

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I had, at first wondered what the stabbing pain rampaging it's way through my head was earlier today. Upon logging onto the Interwebs and seeing this monstrosity of an announcement, it's easy to see the cause.

Great job DC on completely ignoring the wishes of the original creative team and preparing to publish this crap. Yes, I know that DC, as a corporation, is out to make money, but is it so desperate to recoup their losses from the New 52 that they would do this ? Apparently so. To me, the entirety of the "creative teams" on these books don't even begin to register on the scale that Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons are. Completely a waste of time and effort to do this.

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Darkmount1

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Edited By Darkmount1

@dondasch: Well, then what would you do had you taken over the company?

Then again, what would happen to DC if corporations didn't legally have the same rights as citizens?

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dondasch

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Edited By dondasch

Had I taken over DC, I clearly, I would not be doing prequels, sequels, etc to what I view, and what others view, as one of the greatest comic series of all time.

As far as what would happen to DC, not sure I'm following your questioning here. I've already said that DC has the right, as a corporation to make money. That is not the issue I don't think. Issue for me at least, is their choice in adding on to a series that's been completed.

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feebadger

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Edited By feebadger

@RigorMortis said:

I'm disgustingly excited for these. I have no integrity...

I am deeply ashamed to say that i feel exactly the same way... Damn you DC, you made me feel dirty... again.

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Darkmount1

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Edited By Darkmount1

@dondasch: I'm just thinking if that was the case, Moore could've easily prevented them from doing this were that situation in place.

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MarcusVWario

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Edited By MarcusVWario

I can't believe any of you are even considering buying these comics. Watchmen is TWENTY-FIVE years old, its a classic, and renowned as the greatest graphic novel of all time. Its pathetic that DC is raping this series' carcass for every last dime they can get and you all (those who will purchase it) are encouraging this. Why not try to encourage something original for once instead of repackaging the same stuff over and over.

And worst of all are the writers. They might as well be shitting on Moore himself. They are working on a story that isn't theirs even if the legal rights are technically still with DC. Any writer who really admired and RESPECTED Moore, more so respected WATCHMEN itself would leave these to age on the comic shelf. if you truly support this then you are not a real comic book fan

If you are so weak-willed that you just have to know, then at least download the comics on torrents and flip DC the bird so they don't gain any profit from this horrible decision.

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MarcusVWario

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Edited By MarcusVWario

@Drakoji: While I expect this to be true. Could you please explain how Johns was ripping off Moore? Because despite my UNBELIEVABLE hate for DC right now, Geoff Johns is one of my favorite writers and I need a little evidence to put that in question.

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bunkerbuster05

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Edited By bunkerbuster05

Brian Azzarello on Rorschach and The Comedian?

Uh, hell fucking yes?

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Dark Noldor

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Edited By Dark Noldor

@MarcusVWario: Johns used all Moore's ideas and concepts of the Blackest Night - check it out in Tales of the Green Lanterns or in the DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore - I think the term "ripping off" is too hard, but he definitely drank from Moore's pool (metaphoricaly speaking)

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Mahzian

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Edited By Mahzian

I'll be grabbing these as the creators usually put out good stuff, I don't really care about the whole Alan Moore fiasco as the concept of a creator wishing sole creative rights over characters just seems absurd to me

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The Mast

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Does anyone actually want to consider that the Watchmen prequel actually happened already? IN Watchmen?

It was kind of called Under the Hood by Hollis Mason. Never mind. Who cares about facts?

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odysseyuwrf

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Edited By odysseyuwrf

I'm hoping that now someone will finally do prequels for The Sandman, or at the very least a sequel staring Daniel. Actually, that was just sarcasm. I'm not liking this, and am super torn.

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pikahyper

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Edited By pikahyper  Moderator

@aztek_the_lost said:

@DarthShap said:

@Doomsday65 said:

We will see, I just think they are milking the well and without Alan Moore this could be boring. I hope it does well but without his blessing I don't see how it will be good.

Riiiiiight. Because when talking about sacred books such as...Watchmen of course, it would be heretic to do anything without a blessing.

Didn't you know that whenever DC publishes something they must make a sacrifice to Alan Moore to bring about its success?

They must have forgotten about the sacrifice this time cause he has something to say about it.

Edit: Original New York Times story.

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DarthShap

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@MarcusVWario:

Quick question: When did you buy the version of Watchmen that you own? If after 1988, you do know that you participated to the situation where Alan Moore would not get his rights back, right?

@pikahyper: I was kind of being sarcastic there. ;)

But now, that is a funny quote that is did not notice earlier: “As far as I know, there weren’t that many prequels or sequels to Moby Dick.”

Again, not only is this very very pretentious on his part but also it is like he is completely clueless about his own work, coming from the author of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Lost Girls, among other things. And did I mention that the Ishmael character in TLEG is from Moby Dick?

@The Mast said:

Does anyone actually want to consider that the Watchmen prequel actually happened already? IN Watchmen?

It was kind of called Under the Hood by Hollis Mason. Never mind. Who cares about facts?

Those are not facts. Of course, there are a bunch of references to the past in the "original", from 1938 onwards, but it is you that decides to call those "prequels". To me they are as much "prequels" as is Ben's speech in A New Hope.

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Hawkeye446

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Edited By Hawkeye446

I'm unsure of what exact thoughts on this, but I'm not sure which books I will end up picking up....

Hmmmm, Minutemen, Silk Spectre and Ozymandias seem to be the most appealing for myself.

Poor Alan.

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The Mast

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Edited By The Mast

@DarthShap said:

Those are not facts. Of course, there are a bunch of references to the past in the "original", from 1938 onwards, but it is you that decides to call those "prequels". To me they are as much "prequels" as is Ben's speech in A New Hope.

Uhh, they made a movie/movies out of Ben's speech. If they made comics out of Under the Hood, that'd be equal. They're not. Before Watchmen is not what the prequel is. Under the Hood is.

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spectre108

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I just hope they don't ruin Rorschach

(but I doubt it because, well, it's Brian Azzarello)

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@Billy Batson said:

Watchmen was my introduction to the american comic world but I don't really care about it anymore. But if Azzarello and Bermejo are in then so am I :D Would have been funny if Azzarello was writing about the minutemen since he already wrote about them :p
BB

Same. We shall see though. Hopefully the books will be good.

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Alton

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@dondasch said:

I had, at first wondered what the stabbing pain rampaging it's way through my head was earlier today. Upon logging onto the Interwebs and seeing this monstrosity of an announcement, it's easy to see the cause.

Great job DC on completely ignoring the wishes of the original creative team and preparing to publish this crap. Yes, I know that DC, as a corporation, is out to make money, but is it so desperate to recoup their losses from the New 52 that they would do this ? Apparently so. To me, the entirety of the "creative teams" on these books don't even begin to register on the scale that Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons are. Completely a waste of time and effort to do this.

Thank you so much for a great post.I agree with you 100%.

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@Darkmount1 said:

.....................Well, after reading everybody's reaction to this bit of news, I think it's time I gave my shpiel on this whole matter. I've never read the entire story, I have seen the movie. But now that I think about it, I compare Watchmen and the conversation surrounding it and what should and shouldn't be done with it NOT to Star Wars, but to The Godfather (which I saw for the first time last year). This is how I feel about Watchmen (but not about The Godfather, that WAS a good movie):

(Though in the case of the last bit where he mentions which movie he prefers, were I in his position on the subject of 12-issue comic series from 1986, I'd say this: "I love Mark Gruenwald's Squadron Supreme. That is my answer to that statement.")

I can understand that both The Godfather and Watchmen deserve their spots in pop culture at large, but I don't like it when people blow things out of proportion over any controversies that arise out of announcements made about said properties. While I wish 1) BOTH the big two would clean up their acts and start churning out new concepts and characters and stop beating around the bush with their current punching bags, 2) that comic book companies would reform the way they compensate creators, 3) that they try to bring in new people of all ages and get rid of the air of exclusivity surrounding the comic book industry, and 4) they get better qualified management for running the big two, I know that none of those will ever happen unless somebody did something radical. Me personally, if I was the one taking over DC Comics, the first thing I'd do? I'd forfeit the rights to all of Watchmen and give them right back to Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons--I'd even do it in person. Second thing? End the Superman legal battle by settling with the families in the form of giving them a fair and equal royalties deal--in fact, I'd stamp out a legal document requiring that any contribution made to a character or concept guarantees royalties to the creator of said character/concept for any use of that property (the heck with IP rules!), among other things. Third thing? I'd order a mandate of bringing comics back to mainstream retailers in the form of multiple all-ages titles, while making sure not to harm the comic shops--I'd even make a vow of the company to support those smaller retailers, and cut Diamond Distributors out of the deal. Who needs a distributor service when you can just be one yourself?

On the subject of Alan Moore, I wish he'd just stop acting like a comic-creator version of Howard Hughes (minus the OCD) and try and reconcile. Stop being so bitter, SHEESH! It's gone on too long, already people are saying things about him, why couldn't he just get off his duff and come out of the virtual exile he put himself in? Again, were I the one who took over DC, I'd try with all my might to reconcile with Moore and redeem the company in his eyes in the only way possible--by giving him back everything he felt was "swindled" from him. I'd rather let the original creators, no matter what their creation or their contribution to another's creation, have their piece of the pie--or in the case of Moore and Gibbons, the WHOLE pie.

Just to close things out, NO I will not buy or read any of these. At some point this year, I will buy only one copy of Watchmen for myself, read it, and be done with it. I don't like the story because I don't like deconstructionism--I particularly don't like that since, because of this, and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, that the late 80's and early 90's (though I was a mere toddler in that particular era) were flooded with nothing but NOT superheroes, but a bunch of gun-toting psychopaths in spandex, shoulder pads and pouches who killed more often than they arrested.

Anyone here care to argue with me over everything I just said???? Even if I triple-dog dared you???? I thought so.

You've said it all here.Everything that is wrong with this project,and everything that DC should do to correct the problem but will not.

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@Alton: FINALLY! Someone responds to this. And just to make one of the things I mentioned come true, I now have in my possession my own copy of the book, which at some point this year I will finally read all the way, and then put it down and be done with it.