“Before Watchmen”, by various artists and writers

 

“Minutemen/Silk Spectre”, written and illustrated by Darwyn Cooke, illustrated by Amanda Conner (collects Minutemen #1-6 & Silk Spectre #1-4)
288 pages, DC Comics, ISBN-13: 978-1401238926

“Comedian/Rorschach”, written by Brian Azzarello, illustrated by J.G. Jones and Lee Bermejo (collects Comedian #1-6 & Rorschach #1-4)
256 pages, DC Comics, ISBN-13: 978-1401245139

“Nite Owl/Dr. Manhattan”, written by J. Michael Straczynski, illustrated by Adam Hughes and Joe Kubert (collects Nite Owl #1-4, Dr. Manhattan #1-4 & Moloch #1-2)
288 pages, DC Comics, ISBN-13: 978-1401245146

“Ozymandias/Crimson Corsair”, written by Len Wein, illustrated by Jae Lee and John Higgins (collects Ozymandias #1-6, Dollar Bill #1 & Crimson Corsair #1)
256 pages, DC Comics, ISBN-13: 978-1401245153

The Before Watchmen limited comic series was first published in 2012; the books I am reviewing here are a set of four omnibus editions that were published the following year. Each series (there were 10 such) act as a prequal to the 1986 Watchmen limited series by writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons (the omnibus of which was reviewed way back on June 25^th, 2012). For the most part, Before Watchmen was an excellent addition to the Watchmen mythos, seeing as it added to the characterizations of each series’ respective subject (except for Minutemen, which sucked); the artwork was also fantastic (except for Minutemen, which sucked). Mind you, not all of that addition works, but overall there was a deal of depth added to each character.

Minutemen is without question the weakest of the series, with subpar artwork and a story that rewrites characters without adding anything to the lore. We learn that not all of our heroes were heroic and that they were not what they seemed to be – all written for “modern audiences” that favor identity politics over good-storytelling or deeper themes. All I knew about Silk Spectre was that she was more-or-less forced to become a superhero by her mother and that she had a thing for the color blue. But her own comic expands on the character and gives her a chance to prove that she is more than just a pretty face. A coming-of-age story that proves that the groovy 60s counterculture wasn’t all it has been romanticized as being.

I’m glad that The Comedian, Eddie Blake, got his own miniseries, as the uber-cynic needed a vehicle in which his bleak worldview could be explored. From the Minutemen to Vietnam to the Watchmen – and Robert F. Kennedy? – we find that good ole’ Eddie had depths we knew nothing about (kinda) and wish he could have been a better man and superhero. If you’re like me then Rorschach was your favorite Watchman, messed-up weirdo that he was, and the series dedicated to him really does the character justice (he appears in other series, too, much as he should be written). It is as gritty and bleak as a Rorschach comic should be, and Lee Bermejo’s art captures our beloved mental-case in all his dystopian glory.

Nite Owl – the second one, Dan Dreiberg – is a straight-up superhero story that explores (because we have to nowadays) the sexual repression hinted at in the original graphic novels along with the fetishism linked to men and women who play dress-up and pummel bad guys. While not really adding much to the topic, the story is solid and gives a glimpse into the character’s past exploits. Dr. Manhattan, a true superhero with godlike powers, is expanded on here, if you can believe that, seeing as he was already given so much depth in the original series. This comic should be used to teach how to craft a proper prequel as Straczynski builds on what came before without detracting from the original. Really, we learn more about the Doc and what makes him tick. I really don’t see the point of a series – granted, made up of only two comics – dedicated to the villain Moloch. I’m all for fleshing out characters and giving them depth and motivation, but this guy’s only purpose was to give Rorschach some background facts he needed to pursue his investigations – which I guess accounts for his two-and-done series.

Ozymandias (Adrian Veidt, the heavy of the original graphic novels) is explored here, especially his desire to copy Alexander the Great…in which case, why name himself after an Egyptian pharaoh? Whatever, just read the story and marvel at the artistry of Jae Lee who looks to be a modern-day comic book legend whose work will outlast whatever story he is illustrating. Remember Dollar Bill? Y’know, the original Minuteman who died ‘cause his cape got caught in a revolving door while he was trying to foil a robber? Well, he gets a one-and-done comic of his own – and, well, so what? We learn that he wasn’t meant to be a hero, just a corporate shill for a bank, an idea that could have been explored further but wasn’t. Then we have Crimson Corsair, another bleak pirate-themed tale that was meant for Tales of The Black Freighter, the comic-within-the-comic series from Watchmen – and while Higgins’ art is excellent, this tale is also rather a waste as it adds nothing at all to the series. Really, the one-off feels like it’s nothing but filler, maybe as a way to get the series to an even number.

So I liked Before Watchmen, surprisingly as I was prepared for the original series to be up-ended and ruined by modern politics. But it wasn’t for the most part (except for Minutemen, which sucked) and I think any fan of the original Watchmen miniseries will welcome this addition to their library of geekdom.