Xylob wrote:Excellent idea Nate!
Unfortunately, I cannot answer you question - but I have one of my own.
How are the various Before Watchmen titles? Any insight would be appreciated.
TIA!
I only know one person reading them and he and I usually have complete opposite opinions on the same comic, but here's his opinion, in order, having read all that have come out so far.
Minutemen - The jewel in the Before Watchmen crown, Minutemen continues to tell the compelling story of the team in the moniker. Their ground wasn't as covered in the original miniseries, so this feels more like a whole story. That's not to say that it isn't guilty of the fill in the blank storytelling the other titles are, but it feels more appropriate with this title.
Rorschach - This runs a close second with Minutemen as being a worthy story to tell. Rorschach isn't necessarily about filling in the blanks. This is a grim and gritty 1970s crime drama. Anyone one the fence about checking out Before Watchmen should at least give this book a try.
Silk Spectre - This book both surprises and disappoints. It really does play out as more of a high school drama that superhero book. However, it doesn't feel like it meshes well with the character of Silk Spectre.
Nite Owl - I'm glad someone told JMS to can the overbearing scenes of Rorschach "hurm"-ing his way through life and instead focus on Nite Owl. When the focus is on him, it's a decent comic book.
Dr. Manhattan - The first issue was almost a frame-by-frame retelling of Watchmen #4. That was tedious. #2 posits an alternate history of what would have happened if Dr. Manhattan hadn't become Dr. Manhattan. It's a cliched bit of science fiction storytelling, but it was leagues better than the first issue. Like all stories that use this framing device, there a little hints and notes that bleed through into this new timeline.
Comedian - The Comedian has become the central character of pretty much all of the Before Watchmen books. He's an unlikeable character. While that's the point for him, it doesn't make it any better. This title highlights only the vilest of his actions and thoughts. A lot goes on in this book, but it feels like it is too cynical.
Ozymandias - This is the worst of the Before Watchmen miniseries. There is absolutely nothing new or interesting to say about Ozymandias. Well, nothing new or interesting as far as this creative team is concerned. There's too much filling in the blanks storytelling with this whole Before Watchmen event anyway, but this book is particularly guilty of being uninteresting. The fact that this isn't one of the four issue minis surprises me. There are still three more issues to go of Ozymandias building his ultimate plan.
If I were reading these same titles, the odds are damn good that I'd be completely reversed in what I enjoyed. So, like any opinion, take it with a grain of salt.