If you asked the average fan what the most iconic comic is, the most likely answers youd get is Alan Moores Watchmen. Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons released the 12 issue series in 1986 and to this day it still stands as an absolute must have for any comic fans collection. Watchmen redefined the superhero genre and re-introduced comics to the adult audience, proving once again stories told with images dont have to be for children (at least this one certainly isnt). Moores creation Rorschach is the star of the series; a sociopathic vigilante whose words guide the story while his dry and dark humour offers an interesting juxtaposition on proceedings (whether he meant it or not). The Comedian is also another standout character whose death ignites the events of the comic; you cant help but wonder if hes a play on a Captain America who lost it, and decided to go over the edge in a big way. Hes as far away from a hero as you could get, yet somehow, Moores excellent storytelling make us understand and feel for this character, even with his myriad flaws. Moores words would mean nothing if there wasnt someone qualified to bring life to them, and Dave Gibbons is just that. His unique artwork for Watchmen is realistic and insanely detailed; no one else could have drawn the series. Gibbons constructs the book with the aim of its pages being uniquely identifiable as from the Watchmen and very few would argue that he didnt achieve that. Although Alan Moores plot seems to deviate from the murder mystery it started with to something else entirely, its an excellent story. Full of metaphors and symbolism, it strips away the very fabric of what makes a superhero story as we spiral down to the darkest depths of these characters minds plummeting faster than The Comedian when he was thrown out the window.
An aspiring filmmaker, writer, traveller, and avid comic book fan, with an undying passion for calligraphy and chopping boards shaped like fruit. Genuinely enjoys receiving your hate mail.
