Watchmen

Too stark.

What is it about a graphic novel
that I have difficulty with?
I can't seem to take it seriously
somehow. Graphic novels seem to
lend themselves more to humor
than to tragedy. The darkness
of the book, the bleakness of
the perspective, the grimness
of the world....it appears
excessive.

Despite my problems with the genre,
I'd have to say that Watchmen is
the best graphic novel I've read
so far. The characters are more
complex and the plot is more
intricate than other graphic novels
I've read. I'd like to give this
genre another chance. Is there a
kinder, gentler world depicted
in a graphic novel? That's the
graphic novel I'd like to sample.

I see I am not the only one to give it a three-star rating. This is part of the reason I bumped ‘Dreams and Shadows' to two stars. ‘Watchmen' is superior. But I'm just not that into it. Is that sacrilege? I'm sure. I'm not into Western comics as a general rule, although I have read some I quite like, that are lovely and moving. And I really wanted my reread of this to be moving. But it wasn't.

On a shallow level, I don't like the art. I don't like Western comic art 90% of the time. But if the story is engaging, I can get past that.

This story is moderately engaging. I understand this is an important book, but I liken it to Bob Dylan. Just because it is important, doesn't mean that I have to like it.

I appreciate the philosophical discussions and the attempt at solid characterizations. But the most moving bits to me were the displays of interconnectedness with minor characters–the Bernies, Mal and Gloria, the Gordian Knot locksmith and his brother. That made things interesting. And I was displeased that they all died. But the main characters, with all their back story and complexity left me cold.

Except Rorschach. Maybe the Comedian. But I digress.

I feel like Adrian is megalomaniacal, just a bit, in the graphic novel. In the end when he asks Jon if he did the right thing, I felt like that was out of character. I felt no sympathy for his desire for peace, because he showed little remorse for killing millions of people. Was he trying to save the world, or was he showing off and trying to rule it? I honestly did not like him in the graphic novel. He was simply full of crap. Dan and Laurie should have been the emotional centerpiece, but they were also dull.

Laurie is one woman surrounded by all these stupendous men. The guys are the cool, brilliant characters. She's the emotional hottie. I suppose for the time, she was good. But in hindsight, we are not impressed.

I wanted to like this more. I did the first time I read it a decade ago. And it is a work of value, I will not deny. I had high hopes for my reread. But I feel the same now as I did back then. With a sigh, I must concede to myself: It just doesn't do it for me.

And now for the truly controversial statement. I read the book first years ago, thought it was all right. However...

I like the movie better. Let me be honest, I LOVE the movie, as much as I love ‘The Dark Knight.' I found it emotionally and intellectually engaging. And, frankly, I found Adrian's manipulation of Jon to be a far better ending for millions of New Yorkers than a genetially modified squid. No, man. The squid killed me. And Adrian felt far more amorally invested in world peace in the movie. And Laurie was a far better character in the movie.

I'm sorry. I'm a bad person.