The BOOK/MOVIE Club discussion

Discuss your thoughts on Watchmen with us here!

Can comic books and graphic novels be “high art”? If you think the answer is yes, you’re correct. If you think the answer is no, go read Watchmen.

Comics have never really been my thing- I love books because of the rich descriptions and intricate storytelling, and I love movies because of the beautiful visuals, cinematography, and acting. I always saw comics as a medium that never fully embraced either, and therefore could never reach the same heights. Sometimes this is true, too- when a comic is weak on story/dialogue and also has unimpressive artwork, what on earth is the point? Not an issue with Watchmen, however.

I’ll start with the artwork, which is absolutely gorgeous. The character design, the striking imagery, the use of color, the oddly cinematic way that each panel leads into the next… It’s some of the best illustration I’ve ever seen. Then there’s everything else- the story, the character development, the dialogue, the world-building, the thematic depth… There’s so much greatness here that I’m intimidated by the idea of breaking it all down. Long story short, it’s an alternate-reality dystopian masterpiece with a superhero twist and a Cold War setting. It’s dripping with sharp satire and philosophical wit, and like the best dystopian tales, it serves as a warning for future generations. The characters are well realized and surprisingly sympathetic, and the plot is gripping and unpredictable. I can’t recommend it enough. It is better than most actual books I’ve read and deserves to be recognized for what it really is- classic literature. I would go so far as to make it required reading for high schoolers.

Go experience this graphic novel! Let it wash over you. Take the time to absorb the amazing artwork, and ponder the lessons it teaches. They’re more relevant now than ever before (another hallmark of great dystopian literature). Watchmen gets a 10 out of 10 from me. Check out the movie version afterward for a real treat; it’s one of the most perfect adaptations of all time, though it's missing some of the subtlety and subtext of the original. Then get hyped about the upcoming HBO show, because it will likely provide everything that the movie didn't!

Watchmen is a true American classic. 10/10 stars.

Watchmen is work of ART both due it's colorful, detailed aesthetic and the messages it brings to light through its stream of witty dialogue regarding that nature of humanity. I had no idea when I initially picked it up that a comic book would quickly become one of my FAVORITE pieces of literature.

It is beautifully pieced together. There are, of course, your classic comic book sections which take up a majority of the pages, but there are also full on newspaper articles, excerpts of books written by the characters, Rorschach's journal entries, etc. that give the reader multiple viewpoints to gain insight on the state of the characters and the world in which they're living.

The main characters while regarded as Superheroes, are subject to human emotions and the reader is able to empathize in their experiences of hurt, loss, love, lust, anger, etc. Their reactions to the world around them are accurate reflections of the human psyche and highly relatable.

Keep in mind this is not a fun, easy to read book at points. You will need to prepare yourself for the dark dystopian setting and the brutal realism depicted in the end of the world chaos. This a deep psychological take on humanity's nature and has seriously dark overtones soaked with satirical humor. Also, there is a cat.

P.S. Watch the movie afterward, it is one of the BEST book adaptations I have ever seen. The casting is excellent and many of the lines are straight out of the Graphic Novel.