Watchmen

If you're reading this because you are considering picking up the Absolute Edition of the Watchmen Graphic Novel it's probably 'cause: A) You've already read it and are intrigued of the prospect of not only reading it in a special bigger and colorful edition, but to check out all the additions this edition has. B) You want to read it for the first time and you bump into this edition by mere coincidence. So let me tell ya that if you're here because A it's truth then you need no more convincing, Watchmen is one of the greatest -if no the greatest- story ever told in the graphic novel medium and this edition is for anyone who loves Watchmen and likes comic books. This edition it's printed in a beautiful paper with enhanced colors which makes the pencils and inking look awesome, the size is also huge which makes it easier to read the lettering and appreciate the art in a way that the regular size does not. It's also got additional material which includes concept art, promotional art as well as covers and posters, pre-visualization of the characters and origin of the conception of them and words from the creators of the book: Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. To the people who answered B, suffice to say that this is a collectors item and I'd recommend it for people who have already read the book. It's not that you would not enjoy it as first time reader but Watchmen requires some insight and experience reading comic books or books in general to appreciative to the fullest and maybe you wouldn't like to spend the cost of the Absolute edition if you don't know what you're getting in to. What I'm saying is that if you are a casual comic book reader or checked the movie and wanna check Watchmen there are cheaper ways to do it but not as magnificent as experience as this. Watchmen is a masterpiece and you should definitely check it, just consider the facts to determine which to buy. Both have the entire graphic novel with the articles, and either way you get to read this great story one is more luxurious than the other one but equally riveting and compelling either way.

This is the review for the DC Modern Classics slipcase version. I'm primarily reviewing the packaging here as most of you will be already familiar with Watchmen. The slipcase and book fit together like a glove! It felt very satisfying to let the book slowly slide out of it's shell making an air-whooshing "ffft" sound. It's kept nice and simple. One book with the entire series. The cover of the book and slipcase are a very pleasurable "soft" feeling sort of coating. I'm sure there's a name for it (possibly Neenah Touché?) that makes holding the book wonderful. The pages inside are also very satisfying: almost a synthetic paper, which makes me think it is similar to Yupo paper. The pages are smooth and of high quality, yet can somehow feel and sound like leathery old parchment at the same time. As each "chapter" is divided appropriately by the original issues, the pages that separate each volume are only slightly thicker stock. Basically what you'd have on the cover of a magazine. All pages are stitched together for extra durability. A+ on the choice of materials! The quality of the artwork and printing is great. I never knew anything about this comic until recently and decided to jump on the wagon and see what it was all about. I did a brief search and decided I only wanted the comic/story and did not need all the extras that are offered in some other editions. DC did good with this first volume and hopefully all subsequent releases will have the same attention to detail. As for the story and characters, I am about a third of the way through and I'm finding it quite interesting. My exposure to graphic novels is limited, but the panels definitely have a cinematic flow to them. Some of the superhero dressing up in costumes and the big blue dude get a little comical at times, but if fantasy and comics are your thing, then give this a shot. The story itself is very interesting with many layers and characters. I'm giving this five stars based on the packaging and not the story content. That is up to the reader.

Seeing that the Watchmen movie is coming out soon, I figured I had to put up a review on the book. It is the first time I'm reading the Watchmen and it took me 2 days. Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons has created a wonderful dark mystery thriller. This isn't really a superhero story since only Dr Manhattan has supernatural powers. That really surprised me a bit because why are there costume adventurers? The best part has got to be the storytelling, unveiling of events and character interactions. At the end of each chapters includes back stories like letters, biography (The Owl), newspaper reports from inside the comic world. For the Absolute edition, John Higgins is colorist and he has done a superb job at recoloring the whole series. The atmosphere created is really great and feels like the war is looming all the time. So what's different about the Absolute edition, compared to the hardcover or the paperback? Well, this book is huge and that makes the panels easier to read. The paper quality is thick, white and reproduces the colour brilliantly. Right at the end, there's lots of extra goodies like writeup on the creation process of Watchmen and its characters, some pages of scripts and rough panels developed for them, unpublished promotional posters and other stuff. Comic readers should seriously consider getting the book. It's currently the top seller on Amazon. I would recommend reading the book first before watching the movie. It's really hard for movie adaptations to be better because books offer subtlety so much better. (More pictures are available on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)

This is my favorite thing on my bookshelf.

I took the enormous risk of purchasing the Absolute Edition of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' epic Watchmen without having read it previously. If I hated it, I'd be out the money I paid for it, if I loved it, well, it would be money well spent. I'm therefore pleased to report that the cash was well spent. DC's Absolute Editions are the comic equivalent of say, the 2 disc Collector's Editions of movies with all the extras for the truly dedicated. It isn't exactly necessary. The core story isn't changed (though due to age and technology not available, it may be remastered and recolored, and that ain't a bad thing) and all kinds of neat bonus things are included. For the Watchmen fanatic, this edition will meet their very high expectations (a difficult thing to do). Copies of Moore's original scripts and Gibbons preliminary artwork are included. The entire novel has been recolored (and approved by Gibbons, Moore has little to no contact with DC) and the results which the Absolute Editions make clear, are spectacular. If you just want the story, then you probably should either buy the paperback (or check it out from your local library system). But if you are a devotee of this epic story, then you owe it to yourself to pick this edition up. You won't be sorry. It will be time and money well spent and endless hours of pleasureable reading and rereading will await you.

I know, I know; another year another edition of Watchmen. Collection wise, Grapphitti Designs published the edition that set the bar for Watchmen years ago. That collection includes many extras bound in a gorgeous leather hardback and slipcase. The Absolute edition included some of those extras and upgraded the production values, but they are too cumbersome for my taste. This latest hardcover, while lacking any extras, is a beauty. I’ll be grabbing this one for reading and loaning to friends as it is sturdy and gorgeous to look at. It’s a nice but unnecessary reprint that only completist need purchase. Since DC will no doubt continue to reprint this until the end of days, I thought I’d toss out some ideas to help them market new editions. How about Watchmen the scratch-n-sniff edition? Why read about how bad Rorschach reeks? And what does Nostalgia smell like? Now you too can experience the world of the Watchmen in another sense! Watchmen glow-in-the-dark edition! Frustrated you need lighting to read your favorite graphic novel? No problem with the new glow-the-dark Watchmen! Read in your basement, under your covers, have it placed in your coffin! Watchmen Edible Edition printed on rice paper! A new way to enjoy and experience the classic graphic novel (vegan edition also available)! Watchmen metal edition made of real metal! Tired replacing your worn out copy of Watchmen? The metal edition is sturdy and lasts a lifetime! Watchmen write-your-own. A unique edition with blank word balloons! Now you can write the Watchmen! Watchmen reverse edition printed in reverse chronological order! Count down to the climax! Watchmen 3 hole punched pages! Now you can arrange the story in any order and experience the take in an interactive new manner! Watchmen the water proof edition! Read in your tub, in a pool or in the ocean! A new way to enjoy Watchmen! You’re welcome, DC.

Alan Moore penned what is regarded today as the ultimate graphic novel that changed the comic book spectrum and medium forever. Set in a fictional 1985, at around a time when the whole world was living through the Cold War and under the impression that everything would end if America and Russia set off World War 3. Average joes that part time as Vigilantes/Super Heroes with serious, personal issues try to find out who killed off one of their brethren, the Comedian. As they try to uncover how and who killed him, they discover a more sinister plot that would change their reality forever. When I mentioned serious, personal issues, these characters tear apart the standard super hero model. Never before in my life I have read something so deep, rich and refreshing as this one shot comic book series from the 80s. Adam West made super heroes campy in the 60s. Alan Moore made them broody and grounded them closer to our reality from the mid 80s on. The movie tried too hard to bring this masterpiece to life, and did it no justice and missed the point completely. Highly recommended even if you're not a coming book fan. This is a novel drawn and penned like a comic book, but it's deeper than that and once you begin reading from the first page with Rorschach's introductory monologue, you won't be able to put it down. I guarantee it!!

I'd not read Watchmen since its debut 20 years ago but after seeing the movie I decided to purchase a copy. I sort of accidentally picked the "Absolute Edition", but it was well worth it. The price isn't too (maybe a little) much and the presentation is excellent. I'm only a so-so fan though I love both the movie and the book and this edition is worthwhile for even a casual fan who feels like forking out a little extra cash. The inter-issue extras are nice, though I'm not sure if you find those in a lesser edition. Mostly what this has going for it is the quality of the binding and the quality of the paper. The case also looks nice up on my bookshelf. As it says in the review title, I saw the IMax version of the movie and decided to purchase the IMax version of the graphic novel.

Una edición impecable, aunque tiene un pequeño golpe apenas se nota y es solo en la caja protectora

there's not much to say about the comic, so i'll talk about this edition. It's beautiful. It's stunning. Picture quality is fantastic. I enjoyed the book from start to finish in several evening sessions. It was a deeply moving experience. Thanks to everybody involved. So if you want the ABSOLUTE Edition of this masterpiece. This is it.

Admito que duvidava da fama de Watchmen, mas após ler essa edição, posso afirmar com toda certeza que é perfeitamente genial; mas não só isso, é ainda extremamente prazeroso de ler. Muito mais do que recomendado, Watchmen é obrigatório a todos leitores. Essa edição vem com uma linda slipcase e capa dura, acabamento de alto nível, a capa e a slipcase parecem até aveludadas, páginas mais grossas em cada uma das doze capas e contracapas internas.

Alan Moore is a genius. There's no questioning that. And I had really high expectations getting into this one because of the reputation this book holds. But nothing could prepare me for the brilliance that was to follow with this read. I was amazed with the depth and prolific writing as well as the equally amazing artwork by Dave Gibbons. Reading this masterpiece is an experience that I won't be able to forget anytime soon. But I hope I do just to read this again and just get blown away as I did the first time. The themes and ideas explored in this book, although being confined to the superhero genre, are timeless. That is what is the true appeal of this book. The issues that deal with exploring the characters to me were much more interesting than the plot itself, which is pretty fantastic too. But to call it a character drama and as many know by now, the deconstruction of superheroes in a dark and terrifying reality would be oversimplifying the narrative. This is one comic that I already feel like revisiting in just a few days' time and I'm sure I'll read it start to end pretty soon. As for the physical book itself, I am 100% positive that this is the best edition to pick up (except the Absolute which I haven't checked out). The slip case is beautifully designed, super sturdy and has great artwork. The book also is amazing and feels like a tome with really thick and solid paper quality. The only nitpick I have with this edition is that the pages are glossy and can pick up fingerprints quite easily. But that shouldn't bother those who treat their comics right. Can't recommend this enough. A must have and a must read.

Magnifique édition, un peu chère, mais de qualité du chef d'oeuvre des comics : reliure, papier, impression, tout est au top.