Helpful Score: 5
Hugo-Award-winning graphic novel.
I definitely felt a little bit behind-the-times for reading this now, when there was such
a buzz about it when it came out, but better late than never?
The story focuses on a group of aging, has-been superheroes. Now that the goverment has banned their brand of vigilantism, there isn't much call for costumed crusaders. And moreover, now it seems that someone may be targeting them for murder.
Although the murders frame a fantastic story equal to any comic book adventure,the real focus of the book is on the characters, their interaction and (abnormal) psychology.
It's not at all 'juvenile' in tone, and unlike many graphic novels, that you can just zip through, reading this goes no faster than reading a text novel - there's a lot here to both look at and think about. Very well done - but still, a rather depressing story.
I definitely felt a little bit behind-the-times for reading this now, when there was such
a buzz about it when it came out, but better late than never?
The story focuses on a group of aging, has-been superheroes. Now that the goverment has banned their brand of vigilantism, there isn't much call for costumed crusaders. And moreover, now it seems that someone may be targeting them for murder.
Although the murders frame a fantastic story equal to any comic book adventure,the real focus of the book is on the characters, their interaction and (abnormal) psychology.
It's not at all 'juvenile' in tone, and unlike many graphic novels, that you can just zip through, reading this goes no faster than reading a text novel - there's a lot here to both look at and think about. Very well done - but still, a rather depressing story.
Helpful Score: 4
I don't often read comics (or graphic novels), but I had wanted to read this one before the movie came out so I'd get a better idea of the characters that are in the film. I found that they were all quite complex and the story itself is rather sad and depressing, but I found it to be a really good read. It's not full of the stereotypical eye-rolling catch phrases you assume to see in a comic and it's definitely not for young children with many adult situations, violence, language and nudity.
Helpful Score: 4
On the surface this is a book about superheroes, but it is really about so much more: justice, gender relationships, the cold war...... Moore proves himself a master of saying a lot with a few words, though he is aided by Gibbons drawings. The dialogue and artwork set a very dark tone. It took me several long sittings to read through this graphic novel as there are a number of threads evolving at once which force the reader to pay close attention. This is a great novel that just happens to look like a series of comic books.
Helpful Score: 3
I don't often read comics (or graphic novels), but I had wanted to read this one before the movie came out so I'd get a better idea of the characters that are in the film. I found that they were all quite complex and the story itself is rather sad and depressing, but I found it to be a really good read. It's not full of the stereotypical eye-rolling catch phrases you assume to see in a comic and it's definitely not for young children with many adult situations, violence, language and nudity.
Helpful Score: 1
My husband recommended that I should read this book before we go see the movie. It's been a while since I've picked up a comic or graphic novel, so it took a little bit to get used to the reading/ picture viewing, but it's like riding a bike and came back quickly. All in all, this story left me breathless. Each character is so multi-layered, having their own reasons for becoming costumed heroes (note- not superheroes, only one character technically fits that bill if it refers to special powers). Some do it as a result of childhood situations, others do it to genuinely fight crime & make the world a better place, some do it to further their careers & become famous. Each hero is flawed in some way, and any of the villains that are actually fleshed out are in some way good or trying to live a normal life upon retirement. The line between "good" and "evil" is truly blurred with this book, especially at the end. Each panel deserves some time, don't just read the text. There are clues in background graffiti, newspaper headlines, etc... which makes reading this book a treat. There are references that only make sense at the end. In a way, it's a bit like watching the show LOST in the sense that nothing is insignificant & everything ties together at the end, but not beforehand. At first, the ending left me feeling a bit let down & thinking "WTF," but after sleeping on it and thinking over a few references from the story, it started to come together & really showed how magnificent it really was. It's hard to explain without ruining it, so I recommend reading it! :-) I read a reader's review on another website saying that their only complaint was the portrayal of the female characters as being weak & not as fleshed out as the male characters, and I have to agree with that. There is so much more that could have been brought to the table in that sense. Other than that, go read "Watchmen" knowing that it is going to stick with you after you finish it!
