My favorite touch about that ending is that Rorschach gave his journal to the equivalent of the National Enquirer, a tabloid basically. They'll publish the story but, because of what the paper is, most people will never believe it.
Still the greatest comic story I've ever read. I have this absolute ( it was my first bought absolute early last year ) sat on my shelf next to my absolute v for Vendetta, both unread and unopened though I've read them both many times before in trades. Watchmen got me back into reading and especially collecting comics a few years ago. I'm 49 and read horror/batman comics as a child then at about 11 I moved to novels and left comics behind until the late 90's when I read Watchmen and v for Vendetta. They utterly blew me away but still I never went deeper until a few years ago when I reread Watchmen and v for Vendetta and bought the vast majority of Moore's work. Reading what I like about comics as an adult I realised through research that there was plenty of other writers, Garth Ennis/Mignola/Brubaker etc who could scratch my itch , that I've amassed a sizeable collection now. Long gone is my ignorant belief that ALL comics are aimed at children. They certainly are not. Watchmen for me pulled me in and I need to open my absolute and dive in again for the upteenth time as it always gets better! Happy new year Omar to you n yours. ✌️
Owned the old printing almost 20 years now. Reread it almost as many times as you. I like the movie but I hope they do a faithful animated series in the style of the series some day.
There’s nothing weird about keeping the leaflet! It’s part of the package so yes to holding onto it. I usually try to keep the shrinkwrap on the book too! More to protect the slipcase than anything. Thanks Omar, it’s always good to be reminded how good this book is!
I'm glad the new printing isn't a huge improvement over the previous one, which I already have. I don't usually repurchase the same book anyway, but I was curious. Great overview, Omar. This is an excellent story, and I need to reread it soon.
There is no smiley on the new edition, probably because in the United States, a yellow circle with a stylized smiling face is a public domain image. Outside of the U.S., the Smiley Company owns the trademark on the symbol in about 100 countries.
Over 100 readings and you get something new each time, and i mean not something heuuge you get the gist in about 10 times and the rest of the times you figure out small details, nuances character detail... Love it
Owned a copy almost 15 years ago now, signed by Dave Gibbons at a con. Probably my most cherished collection that I reread regularly. Thanks for the overview as always, Omar, and happy new year to your family ❤
I read Watchmen because JJ Abrams and Damon Lindelof said that Watchmen and The Dark Tower were their inspiration for Lost. I love Lost, and at the time of its release, I was in the Navy and in a pretty dark place. Watching Lost, I thought it was trying to teach me something philosophical. It really played a big part in making me a happier person. Lost and Incubus 😂 I read Watchmen and loved it immediately! It is my favorite comic of all time! For me, it is a flawless story. The chapter The Abyss Gazes Also is the best chapter in the book! The way Walter impacts Dr Long's worldview is great storytelling! Such a phenomenal chapter! I can't sing its praises enough! Thank you for this video. I am definitely buying the Absolute edition. And yes, I have read The Dark Tower. I really enjoyed that as well. Well, I enjoyed it until the ending of book 6. The ending to that book pissed me off so bad that I haven't read book 7. Sounds petty, I know. One day, I'll start over with book 1 and read the whole damn thing. Funny thing is, I don't even remember the ending to book 6 anymore. 🤦♂️
You're not weird, Om'; I hoard my leaflets, inserts, _and_ stickers, too. For stickers on shrink wrap, I use an extremely sharp knife to cut around them and tuck them along with any other additional leaflets between the first endpaper and book block for safe keepin'. (E.g., my complete collection of _Berserk_ and _Blade of the Immortal_ deluxe editions still have the leaflets, "PARENTAL ADVISORY" stickers, bar code stickers, etc. all tucked behind the endpaper in each of their respective volumes.) I'm kinda, uh, completist / compulsive-collector-y about saving that stuff. 🙃
Hey Omar! Thank you so much for this putting this overview together! I will be buying this edition as soon as I have the funds 😁 If you haven't already, check out the book "Comic Book Punks: How a Generation of Brits Reinvented Pop Culture". Apart from the beginnings of the UK comic book boom (like 2000AD, Marvel UK etc) it devotes a sizeable chunk to Alan Moore and those that ended up working on Watchmen. I listened to the audiobook. Highly recommend!
Im quickly becoming one of those chumps whos collecting a whole assortment of Watchmen printings. Hell, when that tiny "manga sized" version comes out I'll probably pick one up as an easy reader copy for on the go
I got the deluxe watchmen….and I’m subtle with that! Hoping they print a deluxe doomsday clock so I don’t have to get the absolute and then get absolute watcmen.🤣 I’m curious as to why this is 150 now though!…when it’s the same book at 125 or 75….thank you Inflation!!!!……
I remember reading the Trade Paperback version of "Watchmen" back in '87. Still, I'm looking forward to buying this version since I lost the TPB many moons ago. 🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗🌘
I was curious about the change in cover and had a few theories and googled the one I thought most likely and yup, the smiley face is trademarked. I don’t know for certain if that is the reason but I would be pretty surprised if it was something else. I’m assuming they got permission for it in the story or perhaps it got a satire exemption but prominently on the cover might require more payment. So I like the smiley face cover and prefer it, but I totally understand why it was removed if that was a problem
I know that TPBs weren't as common in the 80's, but Alan Moore was foolish to sign a contract that only reverted rights back to him after his collected volumes went out of print..
Not using the bloodied smiley face on cover & spine is odd. Between that & not remastering anything I’m in no rush to replace the versions I already have.
I watched the movie many many years ago before I really got into comics and didn't really dig it. I have read things over the years from other people saying its pretty different despite having the same concept. What's your take on it? Maybe my love for comics now might help my appreciation for the book.
This isn't my favourite Alan Moore story but I did read it when it originally came out and I do own a Deluxe version, so I'm not tempted to buy this. I think it's a huge shame that Moore was constantly at war with Comic book companies and I think of all the great stories we could have had, had he been a bit more chilled with the powers that be, the last thing I read about Moore was that he hates the comic book world whilst at the same time he was trying to sell a course on teaching you how to write them
I enjoyed this story when I was younger, but seeing the impact is has had on the comic industry for the worse (IMO), I’m not as fond of this story as I used to be. I will say i love that when Alan Moore wanted to use the Carlton characters, DC basically said, “no this story ruins them, go create new characters”, and Moore did. I wish DC and Marvel protected their characters like that today.
Ya know, i would love a video on where your preferred place to read is. I know its trivial, but I'm sure I'm not alone in finding a good place to read things. Unfortunately, i resort to reading in my car in random parking lots
Honestly, I'm disappointed about the mapping on this one. With vol 2 coming out, I'll hold off on getting this. Thanks overview nonetheless, Omar. That art on board would've been so nice without that spine 😢
