The great "so, you ever read Watchmen?" poll

[thebitterguy]

As 20-year-old cold war comic series go, Watchmen has certainly proven to have staying power. 2009 will see the release of a film based on the iconic graphic novel.

I read on Progressive Ruin that at least in some comics stores Watchmen is still a strong seller. That led to the question, is there anyone who reads comics who hasn't read Watchmen?

So, yes. Poll. I think you know what to do now.

[Poll #1104300]

p.s. If you're not sure if you're a comic book reader or not, you probably aren't.

Comments

[electricland.livejournal.com]

I'm more of a former comic book reader these days...

[tenzil.livejournal.com]

Yeah, me too, but I still occasionally buy TPBs.

[mouseferatu.livejournal.com]

That's where I am, as well.

And yep, I've read it.

[ghostwes.livejournal.com]

Ditto here.

[uhlrik.livejournal.com]

I am likewise a former reader as well. Yeah, I've read it.

[creativedv8tion.livejournal.com]

Once a comic book reader...

[gurudata.livejournal.com]

Hiho,

Yeah, ditto... In fact, I blame Watchmen for being a former comic book reader - after Watchmen, there seeemed little point to read superhero comics anymore, really...

Cu,
Andrew

[ghostwes.livejournal.com]

That's exactly how I felt. Though, to be fair, I have read some good stuff printed after Watchmen. Not as good, but still.

[thebitterguy]

I tend to prefer a good puncheminnaface story (Planet Hulk & WWH both satisfied in different ways), or something cosmic (the Sinestro Corps War scratched THAT itch) or just funny (Slott's She Hulk or Franklin Richards, Son of a Genius both fulfill that need) to more serious spandex fare.

[ghostwes.livejournal.com]

WWH?

I did enjoy Peter David and McFarlane's run on the hulk (which may have come after Watchmen, come to think of it). Other than that, though, I've never found the Hulk to be a very compelling character. All that "Hulk smash!" crap gets on my nerves.

[james-nicoll.livejournal.com]

Late Cold War. Watchmen was what, 1987? The Wall came down in 1989 and SU was dead by 1991.

[indefatigable42.livejournal.com]

I see that I am so far the only comic book reader who has not read Watchmen. This may be because I tend to gravitate towards Japanese comics, but also because most of my comic reading is determined by what the library has on the graphic novel shelf.

[thebitterguy]

Your library doesn't have a copy on the shelf? That's odd.

[indefatigable42.livejournal.com]

It's gotta be around here somewhere, although I've never seen it on the shelf in a branch. I'll look it up and order it.

I suspect that if nowhere else, there's a non-circulating copy in the Merril Collection. Graphic novels often seem to go missing from the system, and end up kept in collections where they aren't allowed to leave the building.

[thebitterguy]

Well, if all else fails I have a battered copy you can borrow.

[indefatigable42.livejournal.com]

Already ordered, but thanks. :) And there are circulating copies.

[thebitterguy]

Excellent. Let me (or everyone, in that case) know what you think.

[sixteenbynine.livejournal.com]

I'm in the same boat as you, but "Watchmen" is one of the strongest comic titles in any language. I wonder if it was ever translated into Japanese, actually.

[inscrutable.livejournal.com]

I bought a copy earlier this year for my girlfriend, and we've since loaned it out to a few friends who've never read it.

[optimussven.livejournal.com]

I'm not a comic reader, but I have read a few of the Sin City graphic novels, as well as V for Vendetta and a few Japanese graphic novels. If I were to dive into another, Watchmen would probably be a good bet. My GF is a huge comic book reader, but hasn't read Watchmen.

Problem with your methodology....?

[absinthe-dot-ca.livejournal.com]

What defines a "comic reader"? Buying at least one title a month? Five? Ten? Twenty? Buying everything Marvel, DC, and Dark Horse put out combined? Never buying anything put out by Marvel, DC, and Dark Horse because they're the "establishment" and you only read "indy" comics? Do you even need to "buy" comics to be a "reader", or can you just go back and re-read the last 20 years worth of comics you collected?

I don't make it to comic stores very often any more, but when I do I walk out with a few books, so I count myself as a reader, but I'm sure some will argue with that...

And yes, I read Watchmen back in 1991 or so, borrowed it from my room-mate's collection. I don't have a copy myself, although I've been thinking of picking up the TPB.

Re: Problem with your methodology....?

[thebitterguy]

It's self defining. If you read comics with enough regularity to consider yourself a comics reader, tada. If not, good for you.

Besides, it's a poll on a livejournal. Not the definition of scientific.

[waiwode.livejournal.com]

One of the advantages of being old?

When The Watchmen started coming out in 1986 I was twenty. Me and all my friends devoured it, issue by issue.

Kevin already knew about Moore from his early 80's Swamp Thing. But that first cover*, with all the blood along the top half and part of the smiley face with the blood spatter on it down at the bottom? We new this wasn't going to be "the same old stuff."

And then it opens, with "A dog carcass in the alley."

For the first time in forever, we had "waiting for the next issue" anxiety. And the extra stories in the back? That (at the time) pointless pirate story? I hated it, taking away critical space out of each issue for what was throughout the eighties a common feature in small-press comics, the "filler project."

Doug.

*Honestly, I think the stone angel from issue #2 was my favourite.

[willow-kat.livejournal.com]

I borrowed a copy from the library and started reading it, but didn't make it very far because I couldn't understand anything that went on. I don't see what the big deal is.

[uhlrik.livejournal.com]

It's really really caught up in a lot of Cold War stuff, which can make it a little tougher for younger folks to follow.

[willow-kat.livejournal.com]

That could explain it, then, as I know next to nothing about the Cold War (or wars in general, really)!

[thebitterguy]

There are a number of sites that contain annotations for the series. I think you'd do well to try it again and consult some of them.

The story is well worth it.

[shara.livejournal.com]

Where's the part of the poll that asks "...and did you think it was even remotely as good as everyone told you it was going to be?"

[madmanofprague.livejournal.com]

Was it better than most comics published around 1987? 'Cause that's what they meant.

[shara.livejournal.com]

Yah, after I read it the first time and sort of yawned, I was informed that it was more important for its historical value, its effect on comics, etc etc etc.

And, to blaspheme (sorry, bitterdude) further, I'd say that means it hasn't aged particularily well, but will nevertheless be a mainstay of Comic Book Studies courses for generations to come.

[madmanofprague.livejournal.com]

So why didn't you like it?

[madmanofprague.livejournal.com]

Or rather, what about it did you not like?

[thebitterguy]

It's like I don't even know who you are anymore.

[thebitterguy]

Because I don't cotton to blasphemy.

[lab-brat.livejournal.com]

I've read some of it, but not all of it. I still checked the first box tho. :D

[thebitterguy]

I strongly endorse getting it and finishing it. I still find it to be quite a satisfying read.

[ladystarstruck.livejournal.com]

You can get the latest printing of the trade compilation at Chapters and Indigo, where I was surprised to find a big section containing a great number of collected series. It wasn't even next to the manga.

[thebitterguy]

They always have the GNs lumped with Manga whenever I go there.

Apparently, the contract specifies that if it goes out of print Moore gets the rights to the series back.

[granolademonic.livejournal.com]

I've said before, the magic of WATCHMEN is that it defies deconstruction; I try to stay distant and analytical, but by the time it's wrapping up, I'm just pumping my fist and cheering as Rorschach and Nite Owl jet through the arctic on their scooters.

And this is what I think of the movie:


http://www.popmatters.com/pm/columns/article/41478/who-will-watch-the-watchmen/