Alan Moore's 'Watchmen'...and then...

After watching 'V for Vendetta' the other week, I decided to give some of Moore's graphic novels a try...The blurb on the back of the book said that 'Watchmen' was perfect if you are new to this genre, so that is the book I chose.

Here's the cover:

I really enjoyed the story and I didn't expect such well-drawn characters (in the sense that they had depth, rather than an aesthetic appreciation). I found it a little strange at first, because I was expecting super-heroes with special abilities, but - with the exception of Dr. Manhatten - they all appeared to be based in reality. Anyway, the final chapter was shocking. I was stunned when I first turned to it. I also found the conclusion to be amazing; it didn't make a case of the axis of good and evil being concise - which is another thing I was expecting.

Anyway, here's my favorite frame from the novel:

What did everyone else think of the novel? Also, I'd appreciate any recommendations as to what I should read next. I've heard that 'The Sandman' series is good, and I'm also interested in Miller's 'Batman Year One'...

^pic isn't working for me 🙁

I have to say that Watchmen dials do go up to 11.
My favorite quote of all time is Rorschach opening rant on the first page:

"Dog carcass in alley this morning, tire tread on burst stomach. This city is afraid of me. I have seen its true face. The streets are extended gutters and the gutters are full of blood and when the drains finally scab over all the vermin will drown. The accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up an shout "save us!"... .... and I'll look down and whisper "no."

They had a choice, all of them. They could have flowed in the footsteps of good men like my father or President Truman. Decent men who believed in a day's work for a day's pay. Instead they followed the droppings of lechers and communists and didn't realize that the trail led over a precipice until it was too late. Don't tell me they didn't have a choice. Now the whole world stands on the brink of staring down into bloody hell, all those liberals and intellectuals and smooth-talkers... ...and all of a sudden nobody can think of anything to say."

I honestly got chills the first time I read it. It really opened my eyes as to just how good a comic book could be 😄

Yeah, that's a great quote. Rorschach is an excellent character. Also, I loved the parallel story involving the pirate comic that the kid at the news stand was reading. What do you recommend to read after 'Watchmen'?

Here's a link to that frame, it's too big to upload:

Rorschach and Night Owl

possibly the best comic ever written

ozmandias: "i did it 35 minutes ago"

the best line in comics EVER!!!!!!!

Originally posted by Solidus Snake
ozmandias: "i did it 35 minutes ago"

the best line in comics EVER!!!!!!!

That's a great line until you turn to the next chapter...Then it becomes a f*cking incredible line!

Anyone else read this fish?

Yep... great story... and I suppose V for Vendetta would be a logical read. also, Sandman's a very popular similar styled story, I believe. If you're interested in Miller, then Year 1 is FANTASTIC, BRILLAINT! IU didnt really enjoy The Dark Knight Returns but that's a very popular mature Miller read... but my favourite Miller is actually "Daredevil: Born Again", that's a classic and excellent read... also, Alan Moore is well known for the famous "Batman: The Killing Joke", which I am going to read very soon... once my libary get the order in...

Moores best Stories are Miraclemans "Olympus" and "Red King Syndrome" arcs by far!

Watchmen and Tom Strong follow closely

The real V has lost its relevance as it was about home grown fascism in the UK, For those of us in the UK who read it in Warrior and then in its entirety in the lat eighties it meant something different!

Moores best line in comics is "They'd think I'd gone soft" Jonny Bates Kid Miracleman in Miracleman 15, before he is outrageous.