Quis custodiet ipsos custodes (Who watches the watchmen?)
The following is a book review. Now, I'm not going to review every single book or movie that I come across, even those that I REALLY enjoy. Only when one shows me something completely new and/or makes me challenge my way of thinking about certain issues will it qualify.
One such book is Alan Moore's graphic novel "Watchmen".
Written as a 12-part comic mini-series for D.C. comics in 1985, "Watchmen" is a "Vertigo" title, meaning you do not have to worry about having to know any of the D.C. comics stories. "Vertigo" titles are outside of the D.C. continuity, and anyone can pick one up and start reading. "Watchmen" takes place in our world in 1985. "Superman" is just a fictional character, as one of the characters talks about how he was inspired after reading "Action Comics #1". The book's setting is our world, but with superheroes in it and their presence affects history greatly. What if America won the war with Vietnam because of them? What if the Watergate scandal never happened because of them?
The story is slightly similar to Frank Miller's "Dark Knight Returns". All superheroes have been forced into retirement by the government, with two operating in cooperation with the government and another as a vigilante. When one superhero is killed under mysterious circumstances, the others seem to be in danger as well. Who's responsible? Is it one of them or a conspiracy plot? Is it a coincidence that this is happening so close to the outbreak of war?
Now some have claimed that since the Cold War with Russia has ended, the story has lost its meaning with this generation. I do not think that's true, and the disturbing and dark issues that this book raises are still as relevant today.
I must warn you. Virtually all of you will be shocked or offended or simply think, "That's just sick." at some point in this story, especially near the end. You will probably condemn one or more of the character's actions and beliefs. What's interesting is that I've discovered that each character has been disapproved by some readers and praised by others. There is no one character who we can look at and say, "He or she was right all along."
I can't really tell you what issues the book discusses without giving away a good deal of the plot. Others have said you can't really explain to others why this book is so incredible and thought-provoking. You simply have to read it to understand.
TIME Magazine put "Watchmen" in their top 100 novels list. I was skeptical before I read the book because I felt even my favorite comic "Dark Knight Returns" didn't deserve to be praised that highly. "Watchmen" definitely deserves a place in that list.
The back cover says it perfectly - "This is the book that changed an industry and challenged a medium. If you've never read a graphic novel, then WATCHMEN is the one to start with. And even if you have, it's time to read it again."
One such book is Alan Moore's graphic novel "Watchmen".
Written as a 12-part comic mini-series for D.C. comics in 1985, "Watchmen" is a "Vertigo" title, meaning you do not have to worry about having to know any of the D.C. comics stories. "Vertigo" titles are outside of the D.C. continuity, and anyone can pick one up and start reading. "Watchmen" takes place in our world in 1985. "Superman" is just a fictional character, as one of the characters talks about how he was inspired after reading "Action Comics #1". The book's setting is our world, but with superheroes in it and their presence affects history greatly. What if America won the war with Vietnam because of them? What if the Watergate scandal never happened because of them?
The story is slightly similar to Frank Miller's "Dark Knight Returns". All superheroes have been forced into retirement by the government, with two operating in cooperation with the government and another as a vigilante. When one superhero is killed under mysterious circumstances, the others seem to be in danger as well. Who's responsible? Is it one of them or a conspiracy plot? Is it a coincidence that this is happening so close to the outbreak of war?
Now some have claimed that since the Cold War with Russia has ended, the story has lost its meaning with this generation. I do not think that's true, and the disturbing and dark issues that this book raises are still as relevant today.
I must warn you. Virtually all of you will be shocked or offended or simply think, "That's just sick." at some point in this story, especially near the end. You will probably condemn one or more of the character's actions and beliefs. What's interesting is that I've discovered that each character has been disapproved by some readers and praised by others. There is no one character who we can look at and say, "He or she was right all along."
I can't really tell you what issues the book discusses without giving away a good deal of the plot. Others have said you can't really explain to others why this book is so incredible and thought-provoking. You simply have to read it to understand.
TIME Magazine put "Watchmen" in their top 100 novels list. I was skeptical before I read the book because I felt even my favorite comic "Dark Knight Returns" didn't deserve to be praised that highly. "Watchmen" definitely deserves a place in that list.
The back cover says it perfectly - "This is the book that changed an industry and challenged a medium. If you've never read a graphic novel, then WATCHMEN is the one to start with. And even if you have, it's time to read it again."