Who will watch the watchmen?

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

In 2005, Time Magazine listed The Watchmen as one of the top 100 novels of the 20th century. (Actually the best English-language novels from 1923 to the present [click here for the story] but I summarized thus.) It was the only graphic novel on the list. Why is that? Could it be that most graphic novels are seen as thicker, more artsy comic books. Possibly. But the inclusion of The Watchmen certainly shows that the medium can and has transcended its roots.

Written by Alan Moore (who also did the fantastic V for Vendetta) and illustrated by Dave Gibbons, it tells the tale of heroes, not "super"-heroes, mind you, not most of them anyway, instead just regular men and women with more drive, stamina, or money than most people, but also with a vigilantist desire to right wrongs and help society. Of course, being human, one of the best parts of the story is that they head down the wrong paths, some slightly off, some gravely off, and end up with a shocking conclusion. The only non-human (former human?) in the group, Dr. Manhattan, ads a Mr. Spock-like rationality as counterpoint to the raging emotions of those around him.

This was a very well told, intricate story. I really liked how the artist combined all of the storylines in a very visual, almost cinematic way. Some parts worked better than others. Juxtaposing events from 40 years earlier with the present day (mid-80's at the height of the cold war) worked out especially well. The interwoven comic-with-a-comic (the tale of a pirate driven to madness trying to save his family from certain death), while confusing at first, turned out to be a highlight. On the other hand, the lengthy prose between issues (presumably at the back of each individual comic*) slowed me down, and now I wish someone had told me I could have skipped them altogether and read them later.

It's definitely worth a read, if you're at all interested in the subject matter and especially if you can tolerate the graphic novel format. Personally, I have a very easy time with it, but I was a comic-book reader from a young age. I would guess that people not familiar with paneled drawings and bubble dialog (however, important note: there are no thought bubbles, so you never actually "hear" what the characters are thinking) will find it hard to follow. Perhaps. At least at first. Stop off in the bookstore and look for the graphic novel section, usually tucked in behind science-fiction, fish this one out, and read a few pages. If you're not hooked, it may not be for you.

My thanks to Craig for turning me onto this. Good stuff, man. I owe you one.


* This edition combines all 12 of the original comics into one bound volume.