10 Comics That CHANGED History

If DC: The New Frontier uses superheroes to offer us a brighter, more triumphant vision of Cold War-era America, Watchmen does the complete opposite. Somehow, Watchmen’s inclusion of a blue-skinned superbeing and a gadget-loving vigilante dressed as an owl makes the eighties seem even more grim than they actually were.

However, Watchmen is not strictly a historical comic. Having been written and drawn during the very time it was set, it was instead a contemporary critique on the here and now. Enter Before Watchmen. Released in 2012, a full 26 years after the original, it is a collection of belated prequels to the beloved book. And if there is one thing in pop culture that everyone universally loves, it’s belated prequels to beloved works.

Before Watchmen could have been an interesting opportunity to explore the history of a rich fictional world, with the added benefit of 26 years to reflect on that history. Instead, it is a mixed bag of unnecessary stories, ranging from downright boring to surprisingly enjoyable. Considering that Watchmen creator Alan Moore seemingly places magical curses on all unwarranted follow-ups to his work, “surprisingly enjoyable” is a pretty good result!