Before Watchmen: Nite Owl #2

Before Watchmen: Nite Owl

by J. Michael Straczynski, Len Wein (Backup writer), Andy Kubert (Illustrator)

When the original Nite Owl Hollis Mason retires, who will answer the call to take his place? Writer J. Michael Straczynski and artists Joe and Andy Kubert team to assemble the tale of tech-wizard Dan Dreiberg--the man who would carry the mantle of one of the world's greatest heroes.

“They run...I like it when they run.” Plus: Don’t miss the CRIMSON CORSAIR backup story by writer LEN WEIN and artist JOHN HIGGINS!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Comic Book, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Science Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2012

About the author

Joseph Michael Straczynski is an American filmmaker and comic book writer. He is the founder of Synthetic Worlds Ltd. and Studio JMS and is best known as the creator of the science fiction television series Babylon 5 (1993–1998) and its spinoff Crusade (1999), as well as the series Jeremiah (2002–2004) and Sense8 (2015–2018). He is the executor of the estate of Harlan Ellison.
Straczynski wrote the psychological drama film Changeling (2008) and was co-writer on the martial arts thriller Ninja Assassin (2009), was one of the key writers for (and had a cameo in) Marvel's Thor (2011), as well as the horror film Underworld: Awakening (2012), and the apocalyptic horror film World War Z (2013). From 2001 to 2007, Straczynski wrote Marvel Comics' The Amazing Spider-Man, followed by runs on Thor and Fantastic Four. He is the author of the Superman: Earth One trilogy of graphic novels, and he has written Superman, Wonder Woman, and Before Watchmen for DC Comics. Straczynski is the creator and writer of several original comic book series such as Rising Stars, Midnight Nation, Dream Police, and Ten Grand through Joe's Comics.
A prolific writer across a variety of media and former journalist, Straczynski is the author of the autobiography Becoming Superman (2019) for HarperVoyager, the novel Together We Will Go (2021) for Simon & Schuster, and Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer (2021) for Benbella Books. In 2020 he was named Head of the Creative Council for the comics publishing company Artists, Writers and Artisans.
Straczynski is a long-time participant in Usenet and other early computer networks, interacting with fans through various online forums (including GEnie, CompuServe, and America Online) since 1984. He is credited as being the first TV producer to directly engage with fans on the Internet and to allow viewer viewpoints to influence the look and feel of his show. Two prominent areas where he had a presence were GEnie and the newsgroup rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated.

Reviews

[Tawfek · Rating 4 out of 5]

J Michael Straczynski is shining writing Nite Owl i love it
Nite Owl : seems to me you know a lot about the kitty genoverse murder any reason in particular?
Rorschach : Night I heard the news Night i heard 38 people did nothing was the night i put on this mask never wanted to see face in mirror again ashamed to be part of human race... so I'm not..not anymore.
I mean Wow this is some heavy origin writing right there and what about Nite Owl story and his mother These guys are tormented and haunted by their past by Rorschach chooses to hide his face in shame while Nite Owl chooses to face it Head on while hiding his face but not in shame lol.
The pastor scene was amazing as well talk about fanatics.
And the scene young Nite Owl stood up to his bullies.
And the first scene with the whore I love where this is going On To The Next...

[Jedi JC Daquis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the first issue, #2 is a very easy read. Issue two of Before Watchmen: Nite Owl is part detective work, part origin story and part crimebusting. While these elements are good separately on their own, the sum of these parts doesn't really make this one a cohesive issue. The pace is just right, considering that it runs for only four issues and Straczynski has to fit there as much story and action as he could.


The Twilight Lady

The Nite Owl series shines whenever Rorschach is around. It is just mediocre if he isn't. At least the Twilight Lady adds some spice to his story.

[Susan Bin · Rating 3 out of 5]

even though it's paying selective attention towards watchmen canon, i really enjoyed this (i'm gonna say it: a lot. probably too much for me to feel comfortable to admit. if it didn't have a dc logo slapped unto the cover and was just regular fanfiction instead of corporate fanfiction, i would be all smiles). getting fond of pre-roche rorschach (i like this characterization of him. once again: maybe too much. my bad, it's a weakness) and bb dan (despite my disapproval of some of the writing choices for his childhood, because can we not rehash). the kitty genovese reference needed a tw for its extremely unabashed kitsch factor - not the most serial offense when put in context with it cousins but nonetheless a really terrible throwback

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is a lot better than the first because it shows you more about Dan's upbringing and what inspired him to become Nite Owl II. It's also great to see the dynamic and humour between Rorschach and Nite Owl and how really they both experienced similar upbringings, in regards to violence at least. Not a bad little comic, I've been teased by a female character which the original Nite Owl has warned Dan to stay away from, so I hope we see an interesting story arc developed there.

[Erikka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was better than the rest of the books because I got a closer look at Drieberg's life that led him to become Nite Owl. But there's also a LOT of Rorschach in his story. Which is cool, because he's a great character.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easily the best so far in the BW world. Nite Owl is perhaps the most compelling and least expressly fleshed out character in Watchmen, so it stands to reason that his back stories would be more interesting than others. I look forward to seeing more of he and Rorschach doing their thang.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was a bit much.

[s e n t i m e n t a l i t i e s olittlebear · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this but it seemed kinda split between Nite Owl and Rorschach rather than just focusing on Nite Owl. Possible that made it better though.

[Luiz Santiago · Rating 2 out of 5]

Crítica | Antes de Watchmen: O Coruja: https://www.planocritico.com/critica-...

[Noel Manhattan · Rating 5 out of 5]

El detalle de Lady Crepúsculo es otra genialidad rescatada. Sigo disfrutando de la lectura. ¡A por el tercer!

[Annette Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was never really a fan of the Nite Owl character in the original book, the most interesting thing about him was his interactions with Rosharch, so its good to see them in action together here