Like Comic Books For me, as for many people far from reading cue cards, the word comic book is associated with something simplistic compared to a classic book. However, I love Zack Snyder’s movie and the story shown in it so much that I couldn’t help but turn to the original after all. I’ll tell you right off the bat, Alan Moore’s graphic novel is something absolutely masterpiece.
This edition – heavy, in a super cover, with stunning coated paper – appeared to me recently, as a birthday present. Such a book, of course, you can not take with you, even in a separate bag – and it’s not about its weight, but in the fact that to crack such an edition of the hand does not rise. So I read “Guardians” only at home in the evenings and could not tear myself away until I fell asleep.
At first it was difficult and unusual: details play a huge role in this novel, so reading only lines is not enough. You have to capture scraps of newspaper headlines in the frame, inscriptions on the walls of buildings, picture frames standing on nightstands, etc. By the third chapter, I got sucked in and perception became three-dimensional.
I was immediately struck by how reverently Snyder treated the source material: the movie follows the original story almost letter-for-letter, the changes are minor, and those that are there are for the better. There is also a minimum of omissions, mostly some dialog that had me both laughing and clapping my hands as I read. Sally Jupiter alone is worth a fantastic ulcer. The movie didn’t convey that fully.
I really liked the structural layout of the chapters. Each graphic story section ends with a full text chapter, perfectly complementing the narrative. At first it’s chapters from Hollis Mason’s book, First Owl, when it wraps up it’s any other publications relevant to the characters. For example, an ornithology article by the Second Owl, Dan Dreiberg, marketing campaigns for Ozymandias toys, press articles about disappearing celebrities, Rorschach’s school essay, and more.
Of separate importance is the comic book within the comic book – the mysterious, mystical and creepy history of the Black Schooner, which is of great importance to the plot. I really liked the way it is played out in the novel: always in the background of the events taking place, with replicas that complement the dialogs of the characters. A kind of parallel narrative – in different worlds, but absolutely about the same thing. Sometimes with a surprisingly topical, wry and dark irony. In the movie it is impossible to show it with all desire – in the fullest version of the movie the scenes from “The Black Schooner” are separate inserts, the main line of narration is interrupted for a pause in the form of a cartoon.
What’s interesting: the final denouement in the original differs from Snyder’s version. Not to spoiler too much, I will say that the third party in the original novel, bashing the Earth and forcing the opposing sides to unite in the face of a common threat, is different. What Snyder came up with is brilliant. It’s closer to the 21st century agenda, looks more realistic and heightens the drama of the situation. In general, read, watch, compare – you’ll understand.
In terms of characters, there are also some changes in the perception of the movie/novel – despite the careful and careful treatment of the source material by the director, which I’ve already mentioned. For example, Veidt, although I liked him a lot in the movie, I liked him many times more in the novel. Rorschach as if he came out of the pages straight into the frame, even the actor’s face is the same as in the pictures – but in the movie he is definitely the coolest character, and in the movie he has a lot of competitors. The same Comedian – in the novel he is not so attractive, but in the movie I can safely call him my favorite. Terrific charisma. A complete understanding of Sally Jupiter’s actions and choices. Dr. Manhattan in the movie also evokes more sympathy and empathy.
It was surprising to me that Owl 2, Dan Dreiberg, isn’t at all as much of an inhibited balding loser as he is in the movie, and that, overall, it’s no surprise that love develops between him and Laurie. Yes, exactly love – not like in the movie, I’ll freeze my ears off to spite John (okay, not ears – something else). In the original, the heroine has no hesitation, and as a reader I had no questions as to why that was the case, and the fact that they come to visit their mother in the status of husband and wife is absolutely no surprise either.
I don’t aim to compare the movie and the original, don’t think so. The movie is beautiful, and it’s even amazing how few discrepancies there are, how strictly each scene follows the storyboard, everything is as drawn. I just want to emphasize that acquaintance with the original novel will give you a lot, will complete the picture of this amazing universe and will give a lot of bright moments that will be remembered. Not just recommend to read – I recommend to follow my example and put this gorgeous edition on the shelf, to then flip through long fall or winter evenings under the mood.
“Watchmen” is definitely worth it. It’s truly a comic book that even those who don’t like comics will enjoy.
