DC Entertainment Announce Before Watchmen - 35 Issue Event
fter 25 years, DC Comics announced today that a prequel series to the most critically acclaimed comic series of all time will be released in the summer.
No you're not dreaming. It's official. After 25 years, DC Comics announced today on their blog 'The Source', that in the coming summer they are set to release a Prequel series to the critically acclaimed and much loved masterpiece "Watchmen", currently going under the banner "Before Watchmen". The series will consist of seven mini-series', each following a specific character from the original story.
Each series will have its own creative team and either a 4 or 6 issue run:
DC Entertainments Official Press Release:
This summer, DC Entertainment will publish all-new stories expanding on the acclaimed WATCHMEN universe. As highly anticipated as they are controversial, the seven inter-connected prequel mini-series will build on the foundation of the original WATCHMEN, the bestselling graphic novel of all time. BEFORE WATCHMEN will be the collective banner for all seven titles, from DC Comics. Its 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. After twenty five years, the Watchmen are classic characters whose time has come for new stories to be told. We sought out the best writers and artists in the industry to build on the complex mythology of the original. Stepping up to the challenge is a group of the comic book industrys most iconoclastic writers and artists including Brian Azzarello (100 BULLETS), Lee Bermejo (JOKER), Amanda Conner (POWER GIRL), Darwyn Cooke (JUSTICE LEAGUE: NEW FRONTIER), John Higgins (WATCHMEN), Adam Hughes (CATWOMAN), J.G. Jones (FINAL CRISIS), Andy Kubert (FLASHPOINT), Joe Kubert (SGT. ROCK), Jae Lee (BATMAN: JEKYLL AND HYDE), J. Michael Straczynski (SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE) and Len Wein (SWAMP THING). BEFORE WATCHMEN includes: RORSCHACH (4 issues) Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: Lee Bermejo MINUTEMEN (6 issues) Writer/Artist: Darwyn Cooke COMEDIAN (6 issues) Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: J.G. Jones DR. MANHATTAN (4 issues) Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artist: Adam Hughes NITE OWL (4 issues) Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artists: Andy and Joe Kubert OZYMANDIAS (6 issues) Writer: Len Wein. Artist: Jae Lee SILK SPECTRE (4 issues) Writer: Darwyn Cooke. Artist: Amanda Conner Each week, a new issue will be released, and will feature a two-page back-up story called CURSE OF THE CRIMSON CORSAIR, written by original series editor Len Wein and with art by original series colorist John Higgins. There will also be a single issue, BEFORE WATCHMEN: EPILOGUE, featuring the work of various writers and artists, and a CRIMSON CORSAIR story by Wein and Higgins. The original series of WATCHMEN is the complete story that Alan Moore and I wanted to tell. However, I appreciate DCs 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, said Dave Gibbons, WATCHMEN co-creator and original series artist. Comic books are perhaps the largest and longest running form of collaborative fiction, said DiDio and Lee. Collaborative storytelling is what keeps these fictional universes current and relevant.
The concept of a Watchmen sequel or prequel has always been a rather controversial thought in the eyes of fans and the absence of original writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons is sure to turn some heads. However with the announced creative team attached to the project (as someone who was rather against the idea of continuing the series), I will admit my interest in the project has grown.
"Before Watchmen" is currently slated for a 'Summer' Release in 2012 and set to fill the summer event gap caused by DC Comics New 52 initiative which currently has no plays for a company wide crossover. Keep checking back at WhatCulture.com for any new updates as they come in.