HOT. Wow. Oh, one thing that I wanted to mention: I loved the parallel between the chapters introduced as the minutes ticking down to midnight/the world’s lifespan ticking down to naught. That managed to evoke the concept of being seconds from death, rushing headlong into oblivion through both a visual reference the infamous Doomsday Clock and a parallel between that and the doomsday moment when Veidt works his magic on Manhattan.
Various online annotations for Watchmen.
The Annotated Watchmen
Watchmen Index
Watching the Detectives
Yeah, that was it. Or, rather, a cartoon version of that. Thanks.
The trailer looks like they’re nailing the frame-by-frame, but the Smashing Pumpkins music (whether it’s in the film or not), actors, and costumes have me ready for disappointment. They feel kinda Burton-Batman to me.
The actors, from what little I’ve seen, they look like actors, not athletes. Comedian in the comic is a big, burly, XXXL Mike Ditka type. I don’t see that in this guy.
But, don’t get me wrong: I’m still psyched to see it. I’m just not holding my breath.
Did anyone else realize who Rorschach was at first? I did from the first page, but I never realized the vigilante killer’s identity at all, until they told me. Though they practically tell you with the “have a nice day!” in the first section.
With you on both counts. The signboard man I think you pick up on if you’ve read a lot of comics. But I didn’t see the killer coming until they hit me over the head with it.
possible spoiler:
[spoiler]At the near-end, Veidt’s “I DID IT!” resonates on so many levels. Boast. Exclamation. Exultation. Evil-pulp-genius confession.[/spoiler]
I was very wary of the film adaptation, I changed my mind because of Dave Gibbons’ raving about how faithful the sets and everything were. The other thing that sealed the deal for me was when Kevin Smith said that he thought it was an awesome movie on his podcast. I still have a very strong sense of forboding when it comes to seeing it but I’m faithful at least for now.
I’m right there with you. It’s not going to be the book, it can’t be the book, but it just might be an awesome movie.
BTW, my next screen name will be “vim diesel”
Alright, so I just finished the first two chapters and am really digging it. I love the whole film noir feel with the Rorschach captions and murder mystery. It’s got a Sam Spade / Mike Hammer thing going on.
I can’t shake the feeling that ‘Heroes’ ripped this off. There are a few elements there like the mood of impending doom (I really dig the guy walking around with the ‘The End is Nigh’ sign), the flashbacks and the history of the Masked Adventures.
I also love when Rorschach says the line, “On Friday night, a comedian died in New York.” The late 80s scare of the Russians and Libyans is funny also.
“The Libyans!! Run for it Marty!”
Well, that’s funny. I’m up to Chapter III and
[spoiler]The End is Nigh guy is Rorschach[/spoiler]
At least I think he is. Could be wrong.
EDIT: Oh and I really liked the whole Miss Jupiter and Night Owl talking while Dr. Manhattan got dressed and then the Dr. Manhattan interview with Jupiter and Owl fighting the muggers. That was awesome.
I just read this for the first time, and I LOVED it. Why has it taken me so long to get to such classic pieces of literature? (Don’t answer that).
Brilliant!
In my mind, I’ve taken the story a step further…sure, Veidt got his world peace but it’s temporary. Since the “alien” was a one-time thing, over time it will become less of a threat and things will go back to where they were. An analogy (for USians) would be 9/11 - remember how everybody behaved in the weeks and months immediately following the attacks? We were all united in common purpose. Today, the mood on the street feels exactly the same as it did before. Even when I visit NYC today (I was there a few weeks after the attacks), it’s like it never happened at all. Anyway, in my mind 15 years from the end of the story Veidt realizes his failure, much like the sailor in the pirate story.
Yeah, and I think that was the really prescient vision on Moore’s part. As I read it, soon after the “world-changing-event” there will be the equivalent of 9/11 Truthers, and the big change will turn out to be not big enough.
(Not passing judgement either way on the Truthers. It just seems to follow in that story as well as ours.)
I’ve got a question: The comic within the comic that the dude leaning on the hydrant is reading, is that a real comic? What’s the story behind that? I thot the guys comment about it was great. ‘They’re are no superhero comics so now it’s all pirates.’ Frakkin hilarious!
Whoops nevermind. I just finished Chapter Five. Maybe I should wait until I finish this thing before I start posting. Knucklehead.
Yeah. Basically, I trust the writer and I trust Kevin Smith’s opinion. Before I read the Watchmen I was way wary of the movie because it looked like it might be too disjointed.
Is there such a thing? I think part of the point is that human nature doesn’t allow for true peace- nor does it really allow for true evil.
Oh man, that is a great analogy…
I NEVER thought of that. I’m really riding high on that idea right now, that just blew my mind!
Reading Watchmen second time. For now, I can’t get over the Comedian actor. Ed Blake is big damn bull of a dude. Not this guy. Maybe he’s effectively when the frames are flickering, but this cat is not the kind of guy that can slide in and single-handedly end the Iranian hostage crisis, or hand Hooded Justice’s [sorry Barb] to him. Unless he shoots him first.
.
Meh. After seeing the guys bulk up for 300, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt here. He does have the face, which counts for a lot.
I thought that too. I wonder if the movie will be going in that direction.
I can’t shake the feeling that ‘Heroes’ ripped this off.
Trust me, you’re not alone in that feeling. And it’s only going to get worse as you work your way through the story. In fact, Malcolm McDowell “master plan” reveal is lifted almost verbatim from Watchmen. How they didn’t get sued is beyond me. The worst thing is that people who only know Heroes will probably just assume that Watchmen ripped them off. :mad: