Watchmen

by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons

Book Overview

HUGO AWARD WINNER A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER In an alternate America, a murder mystery evolves into an ominous, planet-wide conspiracy in a world where superheroes shifted the course of history as we... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0930289234
• ISBN13: 9780930289232
• Release Date: April 1995
• Publisher: DC Comics
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 1.37 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.7" x 10.2"

Customer Reviews

An unrivaled epic and a must-read

I doubt I can read another superhero story the same again. I'll do my best to review this without spoilers. Disclaimer: This review is based on the graphic novel. To find my review of the film, please follow this link. Watchmen is one of the best multi-layered graphic novels out there. The novel explores the role of vigilantes (and one superhuman) in an alternate Cold War US. Even though the main characters are "heroes," we quickly learn that all are flawed. With their complexities and underlying philosophies, there are no saints in this world. Each character follows their own philosophies to their logical conclusion. None are like the idealized superheroes we are used to. Yet, we can all empathize with each complex character. The realism is much appreciated. Watchmen spends time with exposition. Every character and their associations with each other are thoroughly explored. Backstories are described at length at the end of each chapter. Rationale, philosophies, and parallels are all explored. Alan Moore displays his characteristic world-building skills. The art, underlying symbolism, and other motifs add to this novel's lasting impression. The hidden messages makes this book one that can be read and re-read while discovering something new every time. Each panel and chapter has its hidden meanings that add to this novel's timeless value. There is little wonder why this book made Time's All-Time Best 100 list. There is little wonder why it's the only graphic novel in that Time's list. 5/5. Alan Moore never ceases to impress. Readers won't be disappointed.

Mmmmmm Yes

First off, this is my favorite book. Second, I got a hardcover like new copy of the first edition hardcover for 8 dollars which is 47 dollars cheaper than if you got it preowned on amazon. Got a complete bargain and don't expect that to ever occur again, but get this book if it's on very good or like new. I'd imagine good is not worth it.

Love this comic book

What's not to love about the Watchmen Alan Moore knows how to write a comic and the art is amazing too .

Great read

This book can sometimes be a little difficult to follow with everything going on but it’s a great read. Lots of action and the illustrations are great. Highly recommend this book.

Great Graphic Novel

Was my first real graphic novel / comic book and I enjoyed it very much!

simply about this edition

If you don't already know, the other reviews will fill you in on the Watchmen's story and it's significance to the comic medium. I'm here to tell you about this edition of the book, which is basically an oversized version of the long out of print Graphitti Designs hardcover version complete with all of that edition's exclusive extras (which is fantastic since that out of print volume goes for major bucks on Ebay when it does rarely surface). Until now, that Graphitti Designs edition was the one to own...This tops it due to it's oversized pages and superior quality printing. Want to see how this story was originally about about Captain Atom, Blue Beetle, and the Question (along with other Charlton characters) and how it changed to what it is? There is a very indepth look at the original proposal included here. Want to see early Gibbon's art? it's here. How about rarely seen teaser strips published long before the first issue? Again included. Alan Moore's script samples? You got it. Bottom line, I can't think of anything that could possibly be done or included that would make a superior edition to this.

P E R F E C T !

I first read Watchmen issue by issue when it came out back in the mid 80s. In the past 20 years, I have read it more times than I can count and have purchased the trade paperback numerous times. I have lent it out, given it as a gift, and just plain worn it out. So why buy the Absolute Edition? Because it is the most gorgeous presentation of the story to date. First off, it's BIG. This edition reminds me of the sheer pleasure I once had as a kid reading oversized editions. Remember the giant-sized reprints of first editions or that humongous "Superman vs. Spider-Man?" It isn't quite that big and unwieldy, but it's big and Dave Gibbons' beautiful artwork and genious panel to panel drama is so much more enjoyable in this format. The panel backgrounds, as any fan knows, are filled with clues and details that are richer than has ever been done before or since in the medium. The backgrounds are so much more enjoyable at this size. But the real star of this new edition is the amazing John Higgins. John Higgins is the colorist. The comic book medium has always placed the most limitations on the colorist who has had to deal with the realities of the printing process, sacrificing in every panel, trying to make dramatic and reproducible choices. With this edition, Higgins has been able to do what was not possible when the original series was presented. The colors here are absolutely beautiful to behold. The original color schemes and the drama they invoked are here, but far smoother and more intense. One of the most popular aspects of the story is the internal comic drama "Tales of the Black Freighter," a pirate comic that comments on the larger story. John Higgins colors these panels in the old school process of the golden age, using those old printing limitations to his advantage and making the Black Freighter panels a nostalgic delight while advancing the story in a new way. Bravo, Mr. Higgins! You have proven your worth and demonstrated why Watchmen is a graphic novel by Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, and John Higgins. It was a delight to see your name on the spine where it has belonged all along. This Absolute Edition of Watchmen is the most glorious version of this brilliant work. This is the ultimate proof that sequential art stories can be legitimate literature. The book also offers wonderful material illustrating the fleshing out of the story all those years ago and how the storytellers began with the old Charleton characters only to evolve them into new characters with more depth and dimension than their inspirations. There are also several pages of script. Anyone who has ever seen a comic book script will be amazed by the density of Alan Moore describing a single panel. One feels like quite the insider to read these pages. Each panel description reads as if an impossibly picky art collector were writing a detailed letter to Dave Gibbons to commission a painting and told him everything he wanted in a great empassioned gush.

A deserved classic

If you've ever read anything with the title "Comics aren't just for kids anymore", you've probably heard about Watchmen. So, is it really that good? Oh god, yes. It's hard to review the collection without resorting to cliches -- and I'll employ one now. It gets better everytime I read it. I see new layers and depth. "God exists. And he's an American." Most superhero comics take place in a world almost the same as our own. But surely, people running around in tights, people with god-like powers would make an impact. In Watchmen, they do. America won Vietnam -- thanks to a god-like hero. Electric cars exist. Classic comic books got cancelled when the real superheroes came along. Oh, and Richard Nixon is still president into the 1980s. (Too bad about those dead reporters, isn't it?) This is series a big ideas, human characters and personal moments. It looks at retired heroes (thanks to 1970s anti-superhero legislation) who investigate the death of one of their own. The book also features flashbacks, autobiography excerpts, comic book interludes and more. Truly engrossing writing by Alan Moore and art by Dave Gibbons. Oh, and comics aren't just for kids anymore. (g)

Who Watches?

Me for one. I've pushed this on every person I know, from teachers to family to friends, and most have turned it away because it has pictures in it. Their loss. This is a dark story, obviously, but it also has moments of unbridled humanity. It dissects everything. Life, love, death, war, comic books as a medium (name any novel that did such a great job of exploring its own medium), the superhero as a romantic/mythologic figure for the century... so much more. Every reading will reveal something else to you. I haven't read enough books to rightly judge it as the 'greatest book ever written'. However, I'm happy to call it the best book _I've_ ever read, and in its rich, meaty representation of an alternate 20th century, it gives us a painting of our world, and all the things that have made our century the most turbulent, dangerous, mind-numbing, and exciting ever. Vietnam, movies, Watergate, JFK, comics... nothing is left untouched. I've read it eight times. I'll read it again. So will you.