The History Of Watchmen

Рет қаралды 29,111

4 жыл бұрын

A comprehensive examination of the early days and the production of the highly influential comic book series, Watchmen. Written by Alan Moore. Illustrated, inked and lettered by Dave Gibbons. Coloured by John Higgins. Edited by Len Wein and Barbara Kesel (nee Randall). Published by DC between 1986 and 1987.
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SOURCE MATERIAL:
Amazing Heroes : Issue 62 : January 1985 : “Preview Issue”
Amazing Heroes : Issue 97 : June 1986 : “Watching The Watchmen”
Arken Sword - Comics News And Views : Issue 22 : Circa 1987 : “The Dave Gibbons Interview”
Comic Book Artist : Issue 9 : August 2000
The Comics Journal : Issue 106: March 1986 : “Alan Moore On (Just About Everything)”
The Comics Journal : Issue 116: July 1987 : “A Portal To Another Dimension”
The Comics Journal : Issue 138-140: October 1990, December 1990, February 1991 : “Big Words”
Entertainment Weekly : Issue 847 : October 2008 : An Oral History Of Watchmen”
Telegraph Wire : Issue 23 : November 1985 : “More On Moore”
Watchmen - The Absolute Edition : “Extra Material”
Wizard - The Comics Magazine : Issue 157 : November 2004 : “Len Wein: The Father Of Wolverine”
#Comics #Watchmen #AlanMoore #DaveGibbons #DCComics #BronzeAge

Пікірлер: 94

@drawfiend3104 4 жыл бұрын

If only Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons did make that Tales of the Black Freighter one-shot. Knowing their skill and talent, they probably would've revitalized the swashbuckler genre and anthology comics.

@jacob_ian_decoursey_the_author 4 жыл бұрын

Imagine a world where Alan Moore didn’t get screwed and became the leading creative force in DC comics, like Jim Lee today.

@rammcd2769 4 жыл бұрын

In some ways he actually is the leading force in comics for the past 30 years. The ABC line is possibly close to what you imagine, coupled with Supreme/ Wildcats etc.

@javib2978 Жыл бұрын

Marvel did the same thing too. Like Alan Moore, Jim Shooter was also screwed and got kicked out of Marvel and they denied any involvement about It's former editor in chief. Jim Shooter could have been a creative force for Marvel comics. With the likes of Alan Moore in DC comics.

@LoverOfManyArts Жыл бұрын

Power corrupts

@spiderjerusalem4009 Жыл бұрын

we would've got an actual before watchmen, not whatever cashgrab we got

@debrachambers1304 5 ай бұрын

I don't see him as a good head for DC, I just want him off in his own space, doing whatever the hell he wants.

@JoshuaOfGrandRapids 4 жыл бұрын

“Sanitary teen adventures” is a good mature readers only title

@carnage247mayhem 4 жыл бұрын

In some alternate universe there was a Martin manhunter comic written by Alan Moore and it was definitely amazing! hurts that we never got that mini series.

@fredrikgranstrom6743 3 жыл бұрын

Yees

@calumhouston3308 9 ай бұрын

Agreed

@stile8686 4 жыл бұрын

Some interesting points I hadn't heard before. Thanks. Minor Correction: you list "Flashpoint" as one of DC's attempts to "correct" the changes made in the New52 when actually it preceded New52 and was used as the reason for the changes to the Universe.

@darkthorpocomicknight7891 2 жыл бұрын

I wondered about that ... thanks. These videos are very good but not infallible.

@rexmundi3108 3 жыл бұрын

Having grown up reading and collecting American, British, and French comics I was an adult when this series emerged....and I missed it. Not having any preconceptions, the movie became and remains one of my all time favorites. At the time I first saw it I could only think that it had to have been inspired by the 1977 novel Super Folks by Robert Mayer. Now that I know about the comics, I still think this. Somebody involved in the creation of this comic had to have read that novel.

@darkthorpocomicknight7891 2 жыл бұрын

No confirmation there alas Moore did admit to the Outer Limits tie - nothing on Mayer but Moore reads so much it is possible

@jamesdlin7 3 жыл бұрын

I agree with Len Wein that the comic's ending had room for improvement. I actually think that the film's ending fits better with the growing sentiment against costumed heroes throughout the story.

@paulnash9851 4 жыл бұрын

Great stuff as always. It was good to hear new + unknown (to me anyway) things about a subject where others just keep retreading old ground. Kudos for finding a way to take a new + interesting look at this subject.

@dfcsons 4 жыл бұрын

I have grown absolutely fascinated with the Charlton line of heroes, and pick up issues whenever I can. Ironically, as a result of Watchmen and everyone coming to realize they're the inspiration for Moore and Gibbons, they've grown that much more expensive now. I will say to my dying day that Peacemaker is an incredible concept for a character and he's never really been written properly. His 80's mini-series isn't bad, and I really like his part in the Janus Directive maxi-series. I would LOVE to get m hands on those Watchmen modules for the DC Roleplaying game. My friends and I played it alot back in the day. As always, it makes my day when one of your videos shows up in my inbox. EXCELLENT JOB

@protoplasma2953 4 жыл бұрын

You can get them. They were reprinted in a hardcover called “Watchmen Companion.” Look it up :)

@KingfisherTalkingPictures Жыл бұрын

The tv show of Peacemaker also shows what can be done when another amazing artist interprets a character.

@caligulapontifex5759 4 жыл бұрын

$5K each for the Question & Blue Beetle rights. Someone got robbed. This sounds like a job for Superman.

@person14876 4 жыл бұрын

Ohh I’ve been waiting for this. One of my favourite comics of all time.

@williamjackson6705 4 жыл бұрын

Moore and Gibbons did their job too well. Watchmen will never go out of print in their life time. It is a timeless masterpiece. I actually liked the director`s cut of the movie and The Button/Doomsday Clock crossover. The Before Watchmen mini-series were abominable and a waste of top tier talent. The Rorschach/ Comedian series especially. Azzarello had no understanding of those characters at all.

@repussified 3 жыл бұрын

Watchmen put some very twisted spins on real-world history, so what does Azzarello do, make history play out basically the same except the Comedian is secretly involved. Uhm, radical, dude.

@darkthorpocomicknight7891 2 жыл бұрын

@@repussified I am also a purist and have not seen the TV series or looked at the 'prequel' stuff but I would say the creators probably did come with best of intentions That said unless they had insanely great concepts to move the story - and from my research they didn't - it was sorta pointless to follow up Moore and Gibbon. Don't touch it unless you've got a genuinely amazing idea

@machinelfgaming 4 жыл бұрын

Amazed you're not getting more views. I felt the same with Comic Tropes back in the day. I wish you and your chanell well. Keep at it you will rise

@KardboardKenny 3 жыл бұрын

having the Watchmen world merged into the DCU leaves a nasty taste in my mouth.

@ashtonndlovu9470 5 ай бұрын

Same

@ottosixtysix8546 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for offering your guidance thru the history of where the characters from Watchmen came from and the background on just how hard it can be to get a series made. To call it a landmark in Comics history is well deserved. Although, for those of us who where around when the series was first published and waited patiently for the issues to be completed it was a bit of a letdown. Yes, the 'Outer Limits' steal was obvious at the time and seemed a cheap dodge after so many other wonderful ideas had been offered in previous issues. Having not been a fan of Moore's work before this series (I have my reasons) this and his subsequent battles with DC and Zack Snyder just showed him for the Snake God we always knew he was.

@rickytoddbotelho9555 4 жыл бұрын

Another outstanding review.

@fnkyron 3 жыл бұрын

I've been blasting my way through all your vids, this is GREAT stuff. Absolutely fantastic.

@talsine 4 жыл бұрын

Great video as always, and one of the best walks through the series. As always, keep up the good work and i can't wait for the next video

@simonrhoden8245 4 жыл бұрын

Very excited to see a new one

@mangamegs 3 жыл бұрын

You're videos are as informative as they are entertaining. Keep the this good stuff coming, sir.

@carlospointofview 4 жыл бұрын

Wow I didn’t know there was so much going on behind the scenes with the Watchmen. Excellent video! 👌👌👌

@noneofyourbusiness4616 4 жыл бұрын

Who's parting the Brain Parts?

@sephiroth900000 4 жыл бұрын

Hi there just discovered this channel its really informative and appreciate the time to make this content and glad im subbed. I came from jack kirby's fourth world epic and been loving the topics in this channel. You deserve more subs. I'm glad i own the original 12 issues. It's my most cherished part of my collection.

@MDolan 4 жыл бұрын

I just discovered your channel. Wonderfully thoughtful and well produced content you produce. I was wondering if you have a discord server. Thank you.

@Koopaklown 4 жыл бұрын

Probably in the cards for the future, but I hope to see you tackle the Alan Moore and Alan Davis Captain Britain run. Aside from that, I hope you're doing alright and staying safe during this time.

@javib2978 5 ай бұрын

I find Watchmen more of a late bronze age story. To me, Spawn marked the real introduction of the dark age of comics.

@javib2978 5 ай бұрын

To me, Final Fantasy is more like and a lot to Watchmen. Much how Dragon Quest is similar to Charlton Comics of the 1940's.

@jacob_ian_decoursey_the_author 4 жыл бұрын

Also what’s the Outer Limits episode references? I’d like to watch it.

@ericnoble5194 4 жыл бұрын

Jacob DeCoursey “The Architects of Fear”. It’s subtly referenced in the last issue of the series.

@darkthorpocomicknight7891 2 жыл бұрын

Moore is public about that. The episode is OK but once you see it - you're like WOW - that is the essential story Moore is a great writer but not as original as people think

@AlienIOIandroktone 4 жыл бұрын

One comic I'd love to see a video on is the obscure 'The Heckler' if you've read it

@fredrikgranstrom6743 3 жыл бұрын

What is it about

@darkthorpocomicknight7891 2 жыл бұрын

Oh I love that title and read it I'm reorienting my channel to do more comics stuff - I just did something on Moon Knight I need to cover more popular stuff first but Heckler was good I will try to fit it in - be patient.

@darkthorpocomicknight7891 2 жыл бұрын

@@fredrikgranstrom6743 Parody basically

@unrulysimian3897 4 жыл бұрын

I thought I was fairly knowledgeable about this series and it’s history, but trust you to come up with the good arcana I was oblivious to. It is impossible to overstate the impact this series had on comic readers at the time it was published. I am quite aware that it’s entirely possible to simply not like it - but in my experience those who do are mainly younger folk who read it years after it was published. For someone who’d been reading superhero comics for almost two decades (and I eagerly embraced the Indy explosion of the 80s) it was a defining event. I’ve given away the trade a dozen times to people who look down their nose at comics and have about a 50% conversion rate. ☮️

@fredrikgranstrom6743 3 жыл бұрын

One of the greatest things I ever read.

@MrMangaman1 4 жыл бұрын

There's a lot of folk expressing curiosity in the RPG. It is easily available online. archive.org/details/MF254WatchmenSourcebook

@MutantsInDisguise Ай бұрын

18:30 big mistake: Flashpoint came before The New 52, not after.

@munjatkumo1929 4 жыл бұрын

Watchmen could`ve easily been a 100 issue series if Moore and Gibbons would`ve wanted to make it for so long. There`s so much potential in the material.

@apieceofbitsandpieces342 4 жыл бұрын

Despite me not liking it, I will admit that watchmen is probably one of the most important and influential comic books of all time.

@mphylo2296 4 жыл бұрын

I hope it wasn't the movie that turned you off Watchmen. The book is immensely superior to that distasteful travesty.

@teddybeer6206 4 жыл бұрын

@@mphylo2296 exactly. Giving them super powers was a BIG mistake

@sonofsound 3 жыл бұрын

This is an excellent video! Would love to know your additional thoughts on the HBO series, which I thought was handled really well. Full disclosure: I wrote a piece for The Wrap calling out Lindelof for not crediting Darwyn Cooke for many elements of the show.

@StephenAnderson98403 3 жыл бұрын

18:22 am I the first one to say this? Flashpoint was a shoe-horned lead in to the New 52. Not the other way round.

@darkthorpocomicknight7891 2 жыл бұрын

Someone else commented on this above - yeah he messed up the chronology there

@thepaper888 4 жыл бұрын

Idk where I heard it at, but basically Alan Moore refuses to have his name on any of his works adaptations. In film credits it never says "Written by Alan Moore", it says based on characters appearing in DC comics"

@calumhouston3308 9 ай бұрын

Even if it is unnecessary, Doomsday Clock still slaps. Great video though. Loved the editing, especially where the issues were cycling next to one another. A lot of info i didnt know about and cleared up quite a few misconceptions i have come across online. I wasn't aware Paul Levitz was the one protecting Watchmen's separation from the dcu. While it does look like there may be future stories told with "Watchmen characters" they all seem to be legacy characters with no attachment to Moore. But only time will tell, and i dont expect anyone to be supportive of it. It is clear Jim Lee and the powers-that-be at WB have little understanding/do not care about what makes their characters so unique, iconic, remotely successful, in the first place. The company is running low on writers they hire who have a deep respect and understanding for the characters and the influence they can have on Western culture. Hopefully they realize this before Zazlan devides to start selling off the i.p.s like the capitalist stooge that he is.

@conservativepatrioticstrai5218 5 ай бұрын

doomsday clock was a great superman story, but a terrible watchmen story

@dbensdrawinvids8390 8 ай бұрын

All I wanted was for DC to give me a scene where Doctor Fate tells Dr. Manhattan to stop being a twat and put on some pants. DC couldn't even give me that.

@DeathAlchemist 4 жыл бұрын

I wonder what interesting details the tabletop games added.

@repussified 3 жыл бұрын

"Rorschach crossing over with Batman, or something like that, but I've got enough faith in them that I don't think they'd do that." - *sigh*

@alfredMonty 4 жыл бұрын

Not sure if you need topic suggestions but I see others doing so. Are you familiar with Alpha Flight?

@tonyingram1337 Жыл бұрын

Dave Gibbons never worked on Swamp Thing.

@adrianmercado3092 4 жыл бұрын

Please bring back the until next time ending!

@sandyhausler5290 3 жыл бұрын

Does anyone know anything about the Moore/Gibbons Challengers of the Unknown or Martian Manhunter pitches?

@StrangeBrainParts 3 жыл бұрын

I've kept an eye out for further details on those two projects. They may have been verbal pitches over the phone therefore there's no record of them? Regardless, I've not seen any more details.

@eyeseer1 2 жыл бұрын

The last notable Moore/ Gibbons reunion was their contribution to The Spirit stories in 2003.

@lefthandedsophiethepop-wit503 4 жыл бұрын

If you like Superhero deconstruction with a modern absurdist twist check out SUPERHERO CONFIDENTIAL! instagram.com/sophiagaia/?hl=en

@eduardobonnet2254 4 жыл бұрын

Have you ever thought of doing a Patreon ?

@StrangeBrainParts 4 жыл бұрын

I have! But for those that want to support this channel directly can click the Join button below each video and show support that way.

@eduardobonnet2254 4 жыл бұрын

@@StrangeBrainParts I mean the content you are doing is amazing, and the Patreon thing can really help as well since you can have that steady money on the side that could help your project, cause KZfaq can sometimes monetize your video and that will cause for you to not gain money from it. Either then that, keep up the work.

@StrangeBrainParts 4 жыл бұрын

@Eduardo Bonnet : Thank you for the compliment and I greatly appreciate the advice. Sincerely. Patreon was an option I was considering until KZfaq made the same function available with the Join button. I thought that was more convenient for people already on the website.

@hsatin20 4 жыл бұрын

As Americans we love to consume and consume until something unique is utterly destroyed.

@KingfisherTalkingPictures Жыл бұрын

Not sure if this was presented before the excellent HBO watchmen series. It subsumed the terrible movie, and is also without sequel. Although who knows when another brilliant creator might come along.

@snakes3425 3 жыл бұрын

There really is no reason for a sequal....a prequel is more likely

@lakshaykochhar6799 3 жыл бұрын

Is there really?

@snakes3425 3 жыл бұрын

@@lakshaykochhar6799 Doomsday Clock was the sequel

@conservativepatrioticstrai5218 5 ай бұрын

alan wanted it, but DC screwed big as usual

@daniarmstrong3023 Жыл бұрын

A few glaring mistakes in this video's narrative, sadly

@TheBeird 3 жыл бұрын

Failure is the only place you will be guaranteed creative freedom and not have ye work diluted by franchising. What a shit state of affairs that is

@theunknowngamer5477 Жыл бұрын

Yes. Any more of a comment, the rabid weasels jump me. Two years ago, here, gave me the cure. The legacy of Watchmen is a strange burden for everyone, I tell ya what.

@Cooleepable 2 жыл бұрын

It was unique and wonderful, then DC fcked it up. Now try to guess which DC property I'm talking about.

@eyeseer1 2 жыл бұрын

America’s Best Comics?

@Metalbloodlord 3 жыл бұрын

Doomsday clock sucks

@calumhouston3308 9 ай бұрын

You clearly haven't even read it

@bigprobllama 8 ай бұрын

This is the most overrated comicbook ever printed. It's not even Moore's best work (V for Vendetta) or DC's best (The new frontier). The movie was the better version, which doesn't mean much because it wasn't anything more than a decent film. Moore writes like Moorcock, if Michael was a malicious and bitter hack, loathing most of his audience... The fact that he wrote Rorschach as a parody and comicbook fans love him instead, will never stop being funny...