DC To Publish "Watchmen" Prequels

[johnmiic]

yawn, without Moore, it really isn't canon is it? Dissapointed that some of the talent doesn't have any backbone and refuse to do this stuff.

I like how "Slick" DC is by putting all those top talents on the books.......shame to them for not saying no.....

I agree. Any writers worth a damn would have stood by Moore and said NO to participating in this project.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Everybody grab a bun. DC is grilling up all their sacred cows.

Chris

[johnmiic]

“It’s our responsibility as publishers to find new ways to keep all of our characters relevant,” said DC Entertainment Co-Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee...We sought out the best writers and artists in the industry to build on the complex mythology of the original.”

Red flag #1 - Jim Lee is involved and not "one of the best" in any comic book co.

Red flag #2 - “It’s our responsibility as publishers to find new ways to keep all of our characters ...,” STOP! Not your characters! They belong to Moore. You only have rights to reprint. I smell a lawsuit.

[Brue]

I am going to check these out. I am interested to read about the characters in their prime or in their retirement. If it focuses on characters not included in the original - I would pass.

[samurainoir]

Wow. I'm a fan of both men's work, but this is the Worst pairing ever if you wanted to get this entire series out within the decade.

Dr. Manhattan (four issues): Blue and nude atomic-power superman, profoundly detached from humanity. Written by J. Michael Straczynski, a superstar comics scribe equally known for his TV and film work (Babylon 5, Clint Eastwood’s 2009 film Changeling), with art by Adam Hughes.

[madmarva]

Brazoo, thanks for the info on Moore. I guess my pity party and martyr comment should have been aimed at the righteous crusaders who take offense to DC executing its rights with the characters since the whole idea of revisiting Watchmen came up several years ago, first with proposed action figures and then comics.

As for fan fiction, since the readers of the 50s and 60s became the pros of the 70s and 80s and and so on, the comic book industry has predominantly been paid fan fiction at the major companies and for licensed characters at some of the others.

Honestly, the Watchmen characters don't really excite me, but DC did put together some nice creative teams to work on the characters. Cooke is one of the creators who interests me no matter what he's working on, and Rorshach does seem to be a character right up Azzarello's alley.

[MIB41]

What makes the Watchmen stand out is that it held a message and purpose that was far greater than the sum total of the players involved. This was a conceptual piece about society and what could happen if we permitted a select few to enact justice based on what they perceived as a violation of morality as defined through their eyes. It was truly a brilliant character study on what happens not only on a social scale, but from an historical perspective if you plant this concept earlier in history. Notice how arrogant we become? Notice the corruption that abounds and how society seeks only to invent heroes rather than hold them to a true measure. Nixon elected three terms to office? Dr. Manhattan eliminates the Viet Cong because society fears it would collapse if it actually lost a war? It comes down to one basic idea - Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Society becomes a reflection of those it appoints as "heroes". And that corruption (along with the need to reconcile within) is mostly what you see from each of these characters. It's definitely a social commentary. To go back and explore these characters is certainly tempting for those of us who enjoyed reading about them. But in doing that, the conceptual train leaves the tracks. It's not about them. The story is really about society. And to go off and explore these "superhero" moments is really losing the intent of their creation. Just my thoughts.

[samurainoir]

The bright side is, this didn't happen...

Dave Gibbons – “The original series of ‘Watchmen’ is the complete story that Alan Moore and I wanted to tell. However, I appreciate DC’s reasons for this initiative and the wish of the artists and writers involved to pay tribute to our work. May these new additions have the success they desire.”

At least one Watchmen co-creator will be cashing his royalty cheques on Watchmen 2.

Alan Moore's daughter Leah tweets

Why not do NEW ogn's from the Before Watchmen creators, or better yet by fresh talent. Use the budget to find the *next* watchmen instead?

Adam Hughes weighs in with his thoughtful commentary to the larger conversation...

So, you see, I have some strange sort of orbital relationship to WATCHMEN. I feel pretty honored to be working it. I’m looking forward to drawing all these characters. Yes, DOCTOR MANHATTAN is an unusual choice to assign me to, but I’m assured that DC has a plan! Maybe they believe that, since I’m well-associated with drawing female anatomy, I’m qualified to handle blue penises. Wait… that doesn’t sound right…

[Brazoo]

Brazoo, thanks for the info on Moore. I guess my pity party and martyr comment should have been aimed at the righteous crusaders who take offense to DC executing its rights with the characters since the whole idea of revisiting Watchmen came up several years ago, first with proposed action figures and then comics.

As for fan fiction, since the readers of the 50s and 60s became the pros of the 70s and 80s and and so on, the comic book industry has predominantly been paid fan fiction at the major companies and for licensed characters at some of the others.

Honestly, the Watchmen characters don't really excite me, but DC did put together some nice creative teams to work on the characters. Cooke is one of the creators who interests me no matter what he's working on, and Rorshach does seem to be a character right up Azzarello's alley.

Yeah - I guess fan fiction is harsh way of putting it - but what I mean is that this is not really different than anyone other than Lee and Ditko working on Spider-Man. That's just 'the biz'. It's often crummy though.

I can't imagine that the Watchmen characters are going to be as interesting outside the context of the original story. Each character is just a spin on a cliche comic archetype anyway - the thing that makes them work is the story, to me... but we'll see!

[samurainoir]

Adam Hughes designs for the Watchmen movie

[babycyclops]

To me, Watchmen IS like a perfectly functioning watch- it has the right number of pieces to work as it should. You don't need to add extra bits to it.

It seems unlikely that additional stories could add to the depth of Watchmen, since multiple readings throw up so many hidden details and meanings.

[Brue]

To me, Watchmen IS like a perfectly functioning watch- it has the right number of pieces to work as it should. You don't need to add extra bits to it.

It seems unlikely that additional stories could add to the depth of Watchmen, since multiple readings throw up so many hidden details and meanings.

i agree. there is fear that it could go the direction of the matrix or the not to be named prequels.

it is a rich story like matrix or star wars that could have so many things under the surface and places to go. do sequels and prequels add value or detract?

sometimes they are good. an example that comes to mind is Narnia. the magician's nephew (the prequel to lion witch and wardrobe) added depth and foundation for the series while not detracting from teh original. however I think something that helped that is it did NOT include the 4 main characters of the original. < with that in mind I retract my earlier statement of wanting to see the same characters in Watchmen prequels.

[Figuremod73]

Im not really interested in a prequel if the original creative team isnt involved. Arent the characters in Watchmen loosely based on Charleton characters anyways? If so ( and assuming DC still has the rights to them) why dont they just do something with those? Looks like a marketing ploy to me.

[thunderbolt]

DC is doing something with the Charlton characters in Morrison's much talked about miniseries for whenever.

[Figuremod73]

Looks like a good group of people working on it though. Maybe it will be worth at least a peep.