Cullen
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Post by Cullen on Feb 2, 2009 13:25:10 GMT
So I read this for the first time last week, after receiving it as present a couple of years ago. I can't believe no-one has sat me down and forced me to read this before! Best thing I've read in years and years. There's plenty to like (and practically nothing to dislike) but I think the thing I liked most was that it felt very unique to the medium, the dialogue and the art worked very much in tandem.
And there's a film out soon too which I only just found out. I don't know if it will work as a film, but the trailer was very promising.
Also can you recommend to me other graphic novels of this caliber?
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Post by Philip Ayres on Feb 2, 2009 13:30:38 GMT
Watchmen is top of the game, there's nothing quite like it. Batman: The Dark Knight returns is the closest that you'll get to it.
Other stuff that's good:
All Star Superman volume 1 & 2 (you need 1 to read 2)
X-Men E for Extinction (or Grant Morrison New X-Men volume 1)
And there's four other X-Men trades worth reading - Phoenix Saga, Days of Future Past, From the ashes & Asgardian Wars
Captain America Winter Soldier 1 & 2
Any of the Simonson Thor Visionaries but especially V 1-2
Any of the Byrne FF Visionaries
both of the Immortal Iron Fist Trades.
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Post by Philip Ayres on Feb 2, 2009 13:32:10 GMT
Make that all 3 of the IIF trades - Amazon have just sent my 3rd one.
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Feb 2, 2009 13:42:12 GMT
To add to Phil's recommendations:
Preacher by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, 9 books in all, one long story and it's a blast.
Darwyn Cooke's The New Frontier volumes 1 and 2, DC's silver age characters get to shine in a great story.
From the unable to afford but you might be able to get the original issues until legal shenanigans are sorted out:
Zenith by Grant Morrison and Steve Yeowell.
Miracleman by Alan Moore, Garry Leach, Alan Davis, Chuck Austen, Rick Vietch, John Totleben, Neil gaiman and Mark Buckingham.
On a more light hearted note you might want to pick up Iron West by Doug Tennapel (he who created Earthworm Jim), clockwork robots in the old west.
Andy
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Feb 2, 2009 14:57:19 GMT
Also Bone by Jeff Smith.
Andy
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Cullen
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Post by Cullen on Feb 2, 2009 15:07:29 GMT
Thanks chaps. I'll check out The Dark Knight Returns - I'm on a bit of a Batman kick after the films.
On Watchmen: now I don't really know a lot about art or about comic book art but I know what I likes. One of the things that really struck me in Watchmen was the colouring: detailed enough to make the line work stand out, but not too detailed to obscure it. Characters and objects in the foreground stand out, drawing the eye by clever use of colouring. This seemed to be quite a common trick in older comics but, flicking through a handful of issues in the shops today, I noticed that modern comics tend to have very detailed colouring, often to the point of not being able to see what was going on. I have to say I much preferred the simpler style.
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Feb 2, 2009 15:14:31 GMT
Meant to say Batman: Year One is also worth checking out. Written by Frank Miller who wrote and drew The Dark Knight Returns (art is by David Mazuchelli) and for me it's superior to DKR.
Yeah one of the things about the old four colour process was they had to be a bit more inventive. John Higgins did the colouring for Watchmen (also The Killing Joke) and was one of the best. For some really good examples of the older colouring style The Outsider's Annual 1 is worth picking up - it has Batman in it. Art and colours by Kev Nowlan and it's a treat.
Andy
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Feb 2, 2009 15:15:31 GMT
Funnily enough, I finished reading Watchmen on the weekend. It had been on the "I must read that some time" list for a few years, so I wanted to make sure I read it before the film comes out and bought it a few weeks ago (half price in Borders). It's an excellent book, some very clever art ideas and an unusual storytelling style.
I think the main plot will translate okay to the film, but most of the book's substance isn't in the main plot, it's in the flashbacks and prose sections. I expect there'll be a lot lost in the adaptation.
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Post by Mark_Stevenson on Feb 2, 2009 16:01:35 GMT
To borrow from Mr. McV, whilst discussing the (then upcoming) Lord of the Rings movies, maaaany long years ago:
Please, read the book first.
Mx
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Feb 2, 2009 16:59:06 GMT
Wise words indeed from you (and Martin).
Andy
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Post by legios on Feb 2, 2009 21:30:14 GMT
With Watchmen I find myself with rather mixed feelings about them doing a film On the one hand I really do love the original source materail - very much an affectionate deconstruction of superheroes (amongst other things). On the other I find it hard to see how a lot of the subtexts are going to translate to a film version. A lot of what works in Watchmen for me works because it is a superhero comic that is reexamining its own medium. I'm not sure that the film is going to be able to do quite the same thing. I think the main plot is likely to survive the transition fairly intact, I'm just not sure that the plot is really the point of Watchmen.
Karl
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Post by Gav on Feb 3, 2009 13:05:24 GMT
On the topic of recommendations: I cannot recommend 'Fables' by Bill Willingham enough. Such an incredible story arcing over 11 trades so far. Excellent read.
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Post by The Doctor on Feb 3, 2009 18:15:15 GMT
Watchmen is a very solid 'read once' book. I've never felt the urge to go back to it but it did pass a few engrossing hours.
-Ralph
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Cullen
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Post by Cullen on Feb 3, 2009 18:41:42 GMT
With Watchmen I find myself with rather mixed feelings about them doing a film On the one hand I really do love the original source materail - very much an affectionate deconstruction of superheroes (amongst other things). On the other I find it hard to see how a lot of the subtexts are going to translate to a film version. A lot of what works in Watchmen for me works because it is a superhero comic that is reexamining its own medium. I'm not sure that the film is going to be able to do quite the same thing. I think the main plot is likely to survive the transition fairly intact, I'm just not sure that the plot is really the point of Watchmen. Karl I agree, but with the glut of superhero movies over the last decade it might just be the right time for a movie version of Watchmen. |
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Cullen
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Post by Cullen on Feb 3, 2009 18:44:33 GMT
Watchmen is a very solid 'read once' book. I've never felt the urge to go back to it but it did pass a few engrossing hours. -Ralph Damned by faint praise! In the 5 days since finishing it I've picked it up everyday and re-read some of my favourite bits, usually spotting something I missed first time. |
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Post by The Doctor on Feb 3, 2009 18:55:57 GMT
I'm not damning it. I enjoyed reading it. Many things are very good but I only need to experience once. It doesn't make something less good than, say, something I re-read/re-watch a dozen or so times. I rate Watchmen as a very good book. I've recommended it and purchased it as gifts. I just only wanted to read it once.
-Ralph
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Post by legios on Feb 3, 2009 21:05:31 GMT
I actually agree with Ralph to an extent. I have a lot of respect for Watchmen and was thoroughly absorbed by my first two reads through it. I just found that it wasn't something I wanted to go back and re-read a third time. I therefore passed it on to my boss, who gave it to her husband to replace his copy that had been lost a few years ago.
It is a very good piece of work, just not one that I felt had good "repeatability" for some reason. (I'm not sure why that is, it is something I have tried to analyse but never been able to work out).
Karl
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Post by Philip Ayres on Mar 23, 2009 17:01:59 GMT
So what did you try then John ?
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Cullen
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Post by Cullen on Mar 27, 2009 17:13:08 GMT
Eep nothing yet! The Dark Knight Returns is top of the list though.
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Post by The Doctor on Sept 9, 2010 19:27:58 GMT
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Post by legios on Sept 9, 2010 20:48:17 GMT
He isn't a man to mince his words or prevaricate politely is he?Always fascinating to hear Moore's perspective on this stuff.
Karl
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Post by Cullen on Sept 13, 2010 17:14:06 GMT
I didn't know anything about Moore before reading that other than reading his work. It was a fascinating read and I agree with his stance on not wanting Watchmen to exploited for sequels and the like. However he comes across as extremely paranoid, and I found it unpleasant how he broadcasts publicly his friends brothers illness in order to justify his own (flimsy) reasons why DC are out to get him. He came across as a bit of a knob. I think I'll stick to just reading his comics in the future.
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Post by Philip Ayres on Feb 1, 2012 15:22:18 GMT
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Post by blueshift on Feb 1, 2012 16:02:06 GMT
Oh dear You never know, it might be good... |
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Post by The Doctor on Feb 1, 2012 21:28:16 GMT
One more nail in DC's coffin.
I will find it easy not to buy these.
-Ralph
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Post by legios on Feb 2, 2012 13:12:20 GMT
I can't see a point to Watchmen prequels (yes, I know, they will make DC a lot of money that isn't what I am talking about). Everything that I wanted to know about what happened before the beginning of the story was told to me during the story, so there isn't really any other story to be told.
I can't see the point to these, so I shall not be buying them.
Karl
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Post by The Doctor on Feb 2, 2012 19:23:12 GMT
And yet 99% of the internet who moans wlil buy them anyway.
-Ralph
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Post by legios on Feb 2, 2012 21:03:07 GMT
Indeed they will. That is something I have never really understood - I tend to hew to the viewpoint of "if you don't enjoy/like/care about it then why spend money on it?"
Karl
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Post by Philip Ayres on May 4, 2012 18:40:00 GMT
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Mar 3, 2015 19:23:39 GMT
Kieron Gillen does a bit of an examination of Watchmen.
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