Alone
March 8th, 2009, 11:20 pm
[Manga] Watchmen
http://images.bcphotoshare.com/storages/707852/large.jpg
Writer: Alan Moore (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Moore), 1986 - 1987
Artist: Dave Gibbons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Gibbons)
Colorist: John Higgins (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Higgins_(comics))
Historical, Dystopian, Alternate Universe
12 Chapters
Recommended Prerequisites: V for Vendetta (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_for_Vendetta)
Synopsis: Set in the 1980s, the story tells of an alternate universe where Superheroes exist, albeit in a slightly different form than we're used to. The book (calling it a comic is simply impossible) covers the events from the late 30s (the first appearance of superheroes) to the 80s (current time), and examines the impact that the existence of real-life supermen might have had on society. Notable is the fact that all the masked vigilantes except one are normal people, without any special powers.
Superheroes (or Masked Vigilantes) have been outlawed by the government following public riots. It's never explicitly told what exactly caused the change in the public's attitude towards superheroes, but supposedly it was the reaction to the government employing their use in the Vietnam war (with whose help it was won). A bill was subsequently passed outlawing all Masked Vigilantes, except government-funded one. Those who once ruled the night were forced to hang in their suits and cope with their now mundane lives. Yet one masked adventurer refused to obey, and continues to fight crime - abandoned by all his old comrades, wanted by the police, he now walks the streets alone, feared by all alike. The story starts with him investigating a regular homicide, and finding out that the man killed was actually an ex-vigilante. Suspecting a conspiracy to kill all former superheroes, he decides to warn his old friends, on the way uncovering a plot to destroy the whole world.
Throughout the story, we are introduced to all the superheroes that ever existed. Each person's backstory and motives for donning a mask are told, and their life story detailed. Most importantly, the inner struggle that ex-vigilantes are forced to cope with - to follow the law, or their heart's will - is examined. Men (and women) who once loved what they did now have to pretend and lie both to themselves and to others that they were fools to ever wear a cape, yet all secretly wishing for a return of those times. Eventually, events force them once again to put on their old masks and team up to stop an orchestrated Armageddon.
The Cast (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Characters_of_Watchmen)
---------------
Thoughts, opinions? And no movie discussions - there's a separate thread for that.
http://images.bcphotoshare.com/storages/707852/large.jpg
Writer: Alan Moore (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Moore), 1986 - 1987
Artist: Dave Gibbons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Gibbons)
Colorist: John Higgins (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Higgins_(comics))
Historical, Dystopian, Alternate Universe
12 Chapters
Recommended Prerequisites: V for Vendetta (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_for_Vendetta)
Synopsis: Set in the 1980s, the story tells of an alternate universe where Superheroes exist, albeit in a slightly different form than we're used to. The book (calling it a comic is simply impossible) covers the events from the late 30s (the first appearance of superheroes) to the 80s (current time), and examines the impact that the existence of real-life supermen might have had on society. Notable is the fact that all the masked vigilantes except one are normal people, without any special powers.
Superheroes (or Masked Vigilantes) have been outlawed by the government following public riots. It's never explicitly told what exactly caused the change in the public's attitude towards superheroes, but supposedly it was the reaction to the government employing their use in the Vietnam war (with whose help it was won). A bill was subsequently passed outlawing all Masked Vigilantes, except government-funded one. Those who once ruled the night were forced to hang in their suits and cope with their now mundane lives. Yet one masked adventurer refused to obey, and continues to fight crime - abandoned by all his old comrades, wanted by the police, he now walks the streets alone, feared by all alike. The story starts with him investigating a regular homicide, and finding out that the man killed was actually an ex-vigilante. Suspecting a conspiracy to kill all former superheroes, he decides to warn his old friends, on the way uncovering a plot to destroy the whole world.
Throughout the story, we are introduced to all the superheroes that ever existed. Each person's backstory and motives for donning a mask are told, and their life story detailed. Most importantly, the inner struggle that ex-vigilantes are forced to cope with - to follow the law, or their heart's will - is examined. Men (and women) who once loved what they did now have to pretend and lie both to themselves and to others that they were fools to ever wear a cape, yet all secretly wishing for a return of those times. Eventually, events force them once again to put on their old masks and team up to stop an orchestrated Armageddon.
The Cast (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Characters_of_Watchmen)
---------------
Thoughts, opinions? And no movie discussions - there's a separate thread for that.