Watchmen
Ratings992
Average rating4.4
Watchmen still stands as the greatest dissection of the superhero psyche with a story and setting that are still as valid today as it was on its initial release.
One of my favourite books of all time. It truly paved the way for what the graphic novel could be
This was my second time reading this. I last read it shortly before the movie came out and I felt like I didn't give this enough attention past the surface level story. I read this in tandem with a book club video series and thoroughly enjoyed the depth with which this whole story was constructed by both Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.
Engaging from the first page to the last.
No wonder this is on the list of top 100 graphic novels of all time.
With complex characters, Watchmen makes us question the morality of our actions and whether what we do is worth it.
It isn't for everyone though. It does not have straight forward heroes or villains. Every character has a black and white aspect to them, just like the storyline.
Since it was first published in 1986, the artwork isn't all too great, but the plot sure as hell makes up for it.
Loved reading this!
I can't in good conscience give this 5 stars because holy cow, Alan Moore cannot women. This book would have been F L A W L E S S if it weren't for his lackluster writing of the what, two women in the whole book.
This book has been on my list for a while, but the upcoming TV show inspired me to finally pick it up. I'm not much of a comics reader, but it's easy to see why it remains such a popular story.
I haven't seen the 2009 movie, but I've heard it's not fantastic, which is surprising because I was absolutely blown away by how cinematic the book was. My favorite of the 12 sections was Dr. Manhattan's origin. Moore and Gibbons tell a story with lots of complex temporal and spatial elements, which could really only be done in a visual format.
I've heard this described as the greatest comic book/graphic novel ever, but I'm not sure if it's as good as [b:Garfield in Paradise 1435128 Garfield in Paradise Jim Davis https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1183569834s/1435128.jpg 1425682].
I've heard this described as the greatest comic book/graphic novel ever, but I'm not sure if it's as good as [b:Garfield in Paradise 1435128 Garfield in Paradise Jim Davis https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1183569834s/1435128.jpg 1425682].
Fantastic story, characters, and art. There are many layers to this book and I suspect this is not the first time I will read it.
What even did I just read....
This is not a book for someone looking for a casual or fun read. This is a book that will make you think and reconsider your opinions at every turn. For a graphic novel, there is huge walls of text in the speech bubbles and multiple story lines going on at once, between the different heroes, a comic book hero (yes within a comic book), and the regular people on the street. The text make be difficult for older readers or people with sight problems to read unless an e-book version will enlarge the pictures.
All of the story lines and points of view make the story hard to follow along with, so the reader has to be dedicated to the novel and not let their attention wander. The plot is set up for the thinkers to solve a mystery while also pondering the state of the world in this comic and how it may reflect the world we live in. So, this is a great graphic novel to teach with.
The art is in the old superhero style, but with muted and dull colors. These aren't colors to draw in reluctant readers, but they do set the tone for the bleak setting. There are also usually nine panels per page, which makes the pictures smaller, yet not lacking in detail. There is massive amounts on each page within these small panels, some without text too, so readers much be prepared to pay attention. At the end of each chapter, or issue, there are special articles, chapters from made up books, or other things which provide background information about what is going or characters.
The characters are all dynamic in their own way with no one being completely good or completely bad and having their own moral codes.
Personally, I started out liking the story and curious about where things were going, but after 20% in I was bored with no idea of the point of the story. I found the text to be long-winded and at times annoying. The characters were hard to relate to since everyone seemed quite extreme in their morals or what they thought in the good v. bad debate.
Medium defining piece of art that really shows the power that a graphic novel can hold. Intricate characters and phenomenal design set this book apart from other comics. Also an amazing plot that really makes you question the “antagonist's” purpose and if it was justified. It's made to be read again and again to fully understand
Heel goede karakters en ik vond het einde fantastisch al had ik een paar dingen op voorhand al door
Isn't it a little bit funny how screwed up people can be, even when they're trying to do the best they can? I can't empathise with the Cold War mentality, and it's staggering how differently we think these days, but I do see something of myself in most of the Watchmen. Idealism, cynicism, hope, narrowmindedness, uncertainty, determination. This book will make you question a great deal about who you are and what you do. Read it.
It took me quite a while to finish this book. I wanted to read it because I know it's an important contribution to American literature and all that and is also featured somewhat extensively in my favorite book of 2013, [b:Eleanor & Park 15745753 Eleanor & Park Rainbow Rowell https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1341952742s/15745753.jpg 17225055]. [Sidebar: go read Eleanor & Park right now.]I eventually got into the comic book format but it did take me a while to get used to. I mostly had trouble keeping the characters straight...I'm not good with faces, especially illustrated ones. There were chapters and plotlines that enthralled me, but then the chapter would end and I would be whisked away to another set of characters and have to remember exactly who they all were. Nearly everybody has two identities (obviously, superheroes) so that is easier said than done I think.All that being said, I did enjoy the story. I have the movie out from the library and intend to watch it, though I heard it's much different. Recommended to people who miss the 80s and those who are interested in comic books and need a place to start.
I see I am not the only one to give it a three-star rating. This is part of the reason I bumped ‘Dreams and Shadows' to two stars. ‘Watchmen' is superior. But I'm just not that into it. Is that sacrilege? I'm sure. I'm not into Western comics as a general rule, although I have read some I quite like, that are lovely and moving. And I really wanted my reread of this to be moving. But it wasn't.
On a shallow level, I don't like the art. I don't like Western comic art 90% of the time. But if the story is engaging, I can get past that.
This story is moderately engaging. I understand this is an important book, but I liken it to Bob Dylan. Just because it is important, doesn't mean that I have to like it.
I appreciate the philosophical discussions and the attempt at solid characterizations. But the most moving bits to me were the displays of interconnectedness with minor characters–the Bernies, Mal and Gloria, the Gordian Knot locksmith and his brother. That made things interesting. And I was displeased that they all died. But the main characters, with all their back story and complexity left me cold.
Except Rorschach. Maybe the Comedian. But I digress.
I feel like Adrian is megalomaniacal, just a bit, in the graphic novel. In the end when he asks Jon if he did the right thing, I felt like that was out of character. I felt no sympathy for his desire for peace, because he showed little remorse for killing millions of people. Was he trying to save the world, or was he showing off and trying to rule it? I honestly did not like him in the graphic novel. He was simply full of crap. Dan and Laurie should have been the emotional centerpiece, but they were also dull.
Laurie is one woman surrounded by all these stupendous men. The guys are the cool, brilliant characters. She's the emotional hottie. I suppose for the time, she was good. But in hindsight, we are not impressed.
I wanted to like this more. I did the first time I read it a decade ago. And it is a work of value, I will not deny. I had high hopes for my reread. But I feel the same now as I did back then. With a sigh, I must concede to myself: It just doesn't do it for me.
And now for the truly controversial statement. I read the book first years ago, thought it was all right. However...
I like the movie better. Let me be honest, I LOVE the movie, as much as I love ‘The Dark Knight.' I found it emotionally and intellectually engaging. And, frankly, I found Adrian's manipulation of Jon to be a far better ending for millions of New Yorkers than a genetially modified squid. No, man. The squid killed me. And Adrian felt far more amorally invested in world peace in the movie. And Laurie was a far better character in the movie.
I'm sorry. I'm a bad person.
“I engineered a monster, cloned its brain from a human psychic, sent it to New York, and killed half of the city.” Really.
I can appreciate the work here and what a big deal it was for comics 30 years ago, but now ... meh. And the whole falling in love with someone who TRIED TO RAPE YOU thing? I know it's not the first or last time that trope will be used, but it's disgusting every time. Could've done without the excerpts from the pirate horror comic as well. Again, this is well done and definitely a comic landmark but it just left me cold.