THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH WATCHMEN IS THAT ITS TOO GREAT TO BE LEFT ALONE

I happily look forward to forgetting these atrocities even exist.

"Fuck's sake, it's The Sting II in reverse..."

Oh, c'mon guys, it's freaking Darwyn Cooke! It's not like they're handing it off to a hack or something.

....Yeah, it'll probably still blow. Even as much as I love Cooke, this can't end well.

Ah, I'll still check it out. I've loved the original comic since I got the trade paperback years ago and realized what a masterpiece it was. This won't spoil it for me. I'll still have that trade paperback to read.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rene (Mr.Eko) 

Ah, I'll still check it out. I've loved the original comic since I got the trade paperback years ago and realized what a masterpiece it was. This won't spoil it for me. I'll still have that trade paperback to read.

...and you'll be financially justifying DC's mercenary business decision.

C'mon Rene, you know what to do - it's got Paul Ankas Guarantee*!

*Guarantee void in Tennessee

I don't know if I can keep myself from adding it to my list at the comic shop, Rain Dog! I'll be so curious as to what they'll do with it. If I want to save the cash and just get the trade, I may do that. Especially if the news about the plot isn't all that interesting and worth picking up first run.

I do have a funny story about the Watchmen movie. In the mostly empty theater, some kids snuck in through a side door, and got caught and taken out, then during the first Owl/Silk Spectre sex scene, the family sitting a few rows down from us got up and left.

Honestly, whether the new material is shite or genius, it doesn't matter. Nothin' DC comes out with is gonna disrupt my appreciation of the GN. In fact, with someone like Darwyn Cooke, I'm kinda interested. Sounds fun.

That's too bad...Moore may be a crank old guy, but that doesn't mean he's wrong to be upset over this stuff

Hell, even if Moore was attached I would be wary.  I keep thinking back to Miller's Dark Knight Returns Again, or whatever the hell that sequel was called. 

As long as there are people like Darwyn Cooke and Dave Gibbons involved, I'm surprisingly not freaked out by the news.

It's not the first time that people have gone back to the well of Watchmen. There were a couple of very well done supplements to the old DC Heroes RPG set in the Watchmen universe that felt like they added to the world (and that Alan Moore approved of before he got all cranky). And, as long as they don't try to answer the questions posed by the last panel, I think most prequels are harmless. If someone wants to make a "Tragedy of the Silhouette" mini-series and flesh out her cipher of a character, then I don't see the harm. If Dave Gibbons wants to draw that Minutemen special that he and Alan Moore talked about a long time ago, then more power to him. Maybe Gibbons has an itch to draw some more Nite Owl and flesh out his origin. Heck, if someone wants to draw some Tales of the Black Freighter, that could be fun.

None of that will be essential or as revolutionary as Watchmen, but none of them would ruin Watchmen either. And, heck, some of them might just be good comics.

Sorry but I have this leftfield idea that Alan Moore should have the first and last words on the watchmen universe, and if he has nothing more to say then nothing should be said.

But then I have this crazy notion of art needing to justify itself creatively rather than financially.

Quaint I know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rene (Mr.Eko) 

We'll probably also find out if that circus strongman really was Hooded Justice.

ugh.

So much rock salt.

While I have no interest or desire to see "Watchmen" getting sequels or even prequels, I do not support the Alan Moore as an almighty author/god here; go back to interviews during the 80's on watchmen being adapted by Terry Gilliam and so on, and Moore was far more humble and open (perhaps out of being naive or lack of first hand experience in the american comic book market?); the "If i dont fully own it, I disavow it" persona of modern Alan Moore has grown tiresome and annoying on me (However, I will admit that the man is openly honest and self aware, like making fun of himself on his brilliant guest appearance on The Simpsons); The man has HUGE, VALID reasons for his attitude and opinions on his non creator owned work (Hollywood types and DC bigwigs essentially fucked Moore over quite a few times), but I have no sympathy for his disdain and open bitterness over the seminal works that essentially paved the way to the creative freedom he now enjoys.

Also, I'd like to add that I too fell in for Miller's "Dark Knight Strikes Again"; some works should remain untouched and standing on its own; DC can easily pitch this actually using the original Charlton Comics characters instead of "Watchmen" if they wanted too; while I have no doubt in Cooke's abilities and talent (and perhaps his passion for this project), it just screams of a cheap chas grab that is completely unecessary.

I bet the whole gay affair of Hooded Justice and Captain Metropolis will play a central role, no doubt.

Well, at least this isnt "Watchmen babies in V for vacation" bad....yet.

I bet a comic depiction of the Moth-man guy's descent into madness might be amusing. And I'm all for more Hooded Justice, who was always a really fascinating character.

For better or worse, Alan Moore is the Harlan Ellison of the comic book world (minus the lawsuits).  The man has accomplished greatness throughout his career, but I'm completely tired of listening to him bitch about everything all the time.

Also, the whole "the author should decide if his works should be continued by someone else" is a crock.  If that were the case, Watchmen itself probably never would have existed..........let alone many of the graphic novels that have been made throughout the decades (including much of Moore's own work).  Same goes for film and literature.  This is basically that equivalent of a director making a remake of something early in their career and then bitching 20 years later about someone remaking one of their movies.  Cronenberg comes to mind (another genius).

All that aside, this will probably turn out to be a middling effort that isn't even worth the hatred that the 'net is already heaping upon it.  Also, while I disagree with a few points, I very much enjoyed the article itself.

The simple fact for me is this: There is not a single interesting idea or story from this universe that the original graphic novel didn't already cover.

The graphic novel mined itself for backstory. And there is nothing that can be said by a sequel that would justify ruining the final page of that book. I simply have no interest, because every question I have ever had about this story has been answered.

Got into a discussion with a guy at the comic shop yesterday. I said Watchmen was a complete work, and he replied, "'I'd read a prequel about Rorschach." Of course you would.

Here's my main quibble: the Minutemen, generation I and II, came across as boring superheroes. They didn't have super powers (except Dr. Manhattan, of course), there were no supernatural circumstances, no thunder gods, no multi-dimensional travel, and no aliens. 

That was Moore's intention, to have a bunch of damaged people playing dress up. They're not meant to be cool, and if this is done satirically it'll be obsolete in the face of the modern works of Millar and Ennis (for better or worse). 

This does beg the question whether or not DC has kept the original Charlton characters (Ted Kord Blue Beetle, the Question) under wraps because they want to expand the Watchmen line. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bartleby_Scriven 

Got into a discussion with a guy at the comic shop yesterday. I said Watchmen was a complete work, and he replied, "'I'd read a prequel about Rorschach." Of course you would.

 

You'd think that after decades of Watchmen being analyzed and expounded upon, over and over and over again, comic book geeks would have stopped missing the fucking point. 

I hate seeing Cronenberg, Moore, etc accused of hypocrisy. Cronenberg remaking The Fly was nothing like the modern remake fad. It was an opportunity for a wonderfully fresh film-maker to dip his toe into the mainstream whilst keeping all of his personality and obsessions in place. Cronenberg's The Fly owes far more to his earlier work than the 50s B movie on which it is based. You just can't say the same about Marcus Nispel's Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Samuel Bayer's Nightmare on Elm Street.

See also John Carpenter's The Thing.

This argument continues (though hasn't really reared its ugly head here yet) with the assertion that because Alan Moore used classic literary figures in his work, he has no complaint when a lesser artist does the same with his own creations.

Some artists can get away with it, most can't.

Uh, Watchmen already has had prequels made. The VG "Watchmen: The End is Nigh (Eps. 1 & 2)" delved into Rorschach and Nite-Owl's past (along with the Comedian's). Is it "official"? Sure. Is it "canon"? I dunno. Probably as much as the RPG supplements from the '80s. And yet, the universe did not implode.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glisten 

I hate seeing Cronenberg, Moore, etc accused of hypocrisy. Cronenberg remaking The Fly was nothing like the modern remake fad. It was an opportunity for a wonderfully fresh film-maker to dip his toe into the mainstream whilst keeping all of his personality and obsessions in place. Cronenberg's The Fly owes far more to his earlier work than the 50s B movie on which it is based. You just can't say the same about Marcus Nispel's Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Samuel Bayer's Nightmare on Elm Street.

 

See also John Carpenter's The Thing.

 

This argument continues (though hasn't really reared its ugly head here yet) with the assertion that because Alan Moore used classic literary figures in his work, he has no complaint when a lesser artist does the same with his own creations.

 

Some artists can get away with it, most can't.

While Moore's Watchmen (and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen), Cronenberg's The Fly, and Carpenter's The Thing are MASSIVELY superior (both in quality and creativity) to most remakes/reboots................it doesn't change the fact that it is still a "pot calling the kettle black" situation.  Chances are that Watchmen prequels and Cronenberg remakes (The Brood and Scanners being closest to getting made) won't be worthwhile in any way imaginable.  I get that.  Hell, I revere those gents as most as everyone else.  They have the right to be upset that their work is being redone or supplemented.  I just don't get the nastiness that constantly comes from Moore on the subject.  Cronenberg to a lesser degree, as there was only the one instance that I am aware of..................though he himself has just put together another potential reboot of The Fly for Fox.

I guess my point is that they should keep their mouths shut until a finished product arrives.  If it is shit, then by all means rip it apart.  Give it the chance though, just like others gave them a chance.  In all likelihood it won't be a hair on the ass of the existing work, but stranger things have happened.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bartleby_Scriven 

Got into a discussion with a guy at the comic shop yesterday. I said Watchmen was a complete work, and he replied, "'I'd read a prequel about Rorschach." Of course you would.

 

 

You just know this guy already has a Darth Maul tattoo, or constantly talks about getting one someday.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZombiePete 

Uh, Watchmen already has had prequels made. The VG "Watchmen: The End is Nigh (Eps. 1 & 2)" delved into Rorschach and Nite-Owl's past (along with the Comedian's). Is it "official"? Sure. Is it "canon"? I dunno. Probably as much as the RPG supplements from the '80s. And yet, the universe did not implode.

I keep the box copy on my shelf always so that future generations will know. Know...and fear.

I agree with this being a pointless and aggravating development, but I'd also be lying if I said I wasn't kind of excited to see Ozymandias' great quest to emulate the glory of Alexander

Quote:

Originally Posted by Princess Kate 

I agree with this being a pointless and aggravating development, but I'd also be lying if I said I wasn't kind of excited to see Ozymandias' great quest to emulate the glory of Alexander

But Princess, a statement like that posits that there's an absolute tale of Ozymandias out there, existing in the nether, and that Cooke is simply bringing it forth into reality. 

Will you really "see Ozymandias' quest to emulate the glory of Alexander", or a facsimile of what Moore intended? With that in mind, even the Moore of today couldn't recreate the voice of Watchmen from yesterday. 

It never ends.

Had he not been cruelly snatched from us Steve Jobs would've totally designed a fake alien creature and killed millions of people to bring about world peace. And I bet that alien creature would've been a lot more ergonomically pleasing than Ozymandias' version. He was a TITAN.

....................................................................................................................................................

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bartleby_Scriven 

But Princess, a statement like that posits that there's an absolute tale of Ozymandias out there, existing in the nether, and that Cooke is simply bringing it forth into reality. 

 

Will you really "see Ozymandias' quest to emulate the glory of Alexander", or a facsimile of what Moore intended? With that in mind, even the Moore of today couldn't recreate the voice of Watchmen from yesterday. 

 

It never ends.

Of course you're right, and without Moore's involvement, it's nothing more than glorified fan fiction with bonus Dave Gibbons fan art. I don't think Moore would ever have intended for there to be further tales of WATCHMEN anyway, as it seems like he was telling a singular self contained story

With that said, I just would be kind of jazzed to see Gibbon's art with some text thrown in, imagining Veidt's journey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Princess Kate 

Of course you're right, and without Moore's involvement, it's nothing more than glorified fan fiction with bonus Dave Gibbons fan art. I don't think Moore would ever have intended for there to be further tales of WATCHMEN anyway, as it seems like he was telling a singular self contained story

 

With that said, I just would be kind of jazzed to see Gibbon's art with some text thrown in, imagining Veidt's journey

I understand. It's in our nature as fans to want more, but as appreciators of art it's our duty to resist temptation and seek out variety. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bartleby_Scriven 

I understand. It's in our nature as fans to want more, but as appreciators of art it's our duty to resist temptation and seek out variety. 

No doubt, and I'm not going to be supporting it with my dollars or anything, just checking it out of the library at some point in the future

Quote:

Originally Posted by Princess Kate 

No doubt, and I'm not going to be supporting it with my dollars or anything, just checking it out of the library at some point in the future

Shagedelic, baby.