The success of the
Superman: Earth One graphic novel proved how big this market is, as does the continued success of
The Walking Dead trades and much of Vertigos output. Whats more, the expression waiting for the trade (boycotting individual issues, instead choosing to wait until an arc is collected into book format) is becoming increasingly popular amongst even the most devout fans. The industry is changing, with audiences consuming in new ways (and this isnt even mentioning the digital dilemma), and DC are smart in creating a property that caters to this transformed market.
Before Watchmen will almost certainly rejuvenate outside interest in the market, and if that brings new readers into comic book shops then that can only be a good thing. Whether or not the series ends up being any good is a different matter altogether, and largely irrelevant - as is the debate on whether it should have even been made in the first place - but theres no denying that, in todays struggling market, its an unfortunate
but necessary business decision. Because lets not all delude ourselves: the comic book industry is exactly that an industry and if it fails to attract new consumers then it will die. Maybe not now, maybe not even in our lifetime, but it will happen, eventually. So, put your snobbery/fanboyism/ethical concerns aside and join me in praying that, if nothing else,
Before Watchmen gets people buying comics again. God* knows the industry needs it. *As a devout atheist, when I say God, I do of course mean Dr. Manhattan.