Watchmen Graphic Novel Should be Left a Comic Book

Back in 1986, writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons formulated a mystery based on the Cold War, wherein the threat of nuclear warfare is an imminent fear. The story explored the possibility that superheroes existed in the 1940s. And the Watchmen were born…

And in this setting of the Watchmen graphic novel, superheroes are roughly classified into two. They are either working for the government, donning their suits while on retainer and paid by people’s taxes, or they are outlawed. Most superheroes not working for the government have decided to embark on other productive endeavors like business, and leave crime-fighting and costume-wearing behind. Some continue to be heroes, but are considered as fugitives, thanks to the law that was passed outlawing superheroes.

Creator Alan Moore cannot be blamed for wanting his art to remain in the chosen medium it was created. Not only due to the huge differences between reading a comic book and watching a film, but also because of the previous experiences he has had with his publisher and the process of converting his work from paper to film.

Initially, he thought that separating himself from the process of converting his work to a movie would turn out fine. Moore admits that he was wrong about distancing himself. The latest of his work to be released as a movie is the Watchmen graphic novel.

“The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,” one of Moore’s works, was also adapted into film. He distanced himself from the process, feeling that as long as he didn’t see any of the film and had nothing to do with it, everything would be fine.

He was fairly surprised when producer Martin Poll and writer Larry Cohen filed a law suit against 20th Century Fox for alleged plagiarism. They claim that their script – yet to be produced – was copied. Indeed, the two scripts bore many similarities, but these were elements added to the film and were not in any way found in Moore’s comics.

Due to the lawsuit, Alan Moore had to testify in a deposition. The experience, he described, was shockingly painful. As if the misery was not enough, Fox settled the case, signaling to Moore that it was an admission of guilt, something he stated he had no involvement in.

When “V for Vendetta” was made into a film, producer Joel Silver stated to the press that fellow producer Larry Wachowski had talked with Alan Moore, and that Moore was excited about the project. But according to Moore, he adamantly refused to be part of anything with films, and still wasn’t interested in Hollywood.

Alan Moore wanted a public retraction and an apology. While he got an apology from Silver, who appears had also been deceived by Wachowski, there never was a public retraction.

Aside from this, Moore claims that the comic book was specifically about anarchy and fascism. Nowhere in the movie was these two things even seen or mentioned. Clearly, the adaptation of the comic book into a film reinvents Moore’s work into something totally different, something Moore would have not created and would definitely not want to be credited with.

The Watchmen graphic novel became the latest of Moore’s being adapted into a film, and was released in 2009. And anyone who has read the graphic novel and seen the film knows that the film was yucky to say the least.

Due to the lack of ability of Hollywood to translate his works into films that fairly reflect his work, it is understandable the reluctance and displeasure expressed by Alan Moore regarding film adaptations. It is bad enough that he doesn’t get paid for his work, he is also stuck with his name attached to work inherently at odds with what and who Alan Moore is.

If you haven’t read Watchmen, you have a treat in store, but read before you try watching the film…

[phpbay]Watchmen, 3, “”, “”[/phpbay]

[phpbay]Alan Moore, 3, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Watchmen Graphic Novel Should Have been Left a Comic Book related articles from the blogosphere…

REVIEW: Watchmen, Alan Moore (Graphic Novel Week #3) ~ Katie M …

This is the third day of Graphic Novel Week (although, technically, it should be the fourth…), and I’m going to be talking about arguably the most famous graphic novel ever written: Watchmen. While a lot of graphic novels have been …

Publish Date: 11/04/2010 9:40

http://katiemstout.blogspot.com/2010/11/review-watchmen-alan-moore-graphic.html

Watchmen: The Graphic Novel, the Movie and Adaptation

The Watchmen graphic novel is sublime. It’s film adaptation is one of the more faithful that I’ve seen, and it’s very entertaining. But it didn’t move me. I am truly at a loss to describe why. I don’t think it’s because it became more …

Publish Date: 11/02/2010 14:08

http://pharoahphobia.blogspot.com/2010/11/watchmen-graphic-novel-movie-and.html

Why Do Graphic Novel Adaptations Of Popular Novels Usually Suck …

There’s no sense of a world being shown or a story told. Compare that with Asterios Polyp where every color matters or Watchmen‘s long comic-ending document “excerpts” from things in the graphic novel. It just looks like laziness to me. …

Publish Date: 11/01/2010 0:01

http://dreamsandspeculation.com/2010/11/01/why-do-graphic-novel-adaptations-of-popular-novels-usually-suck/

Watchmen: Graphic Novel vs. Movie comparison

Comparing shots from the Watchmen trailer to Alan Moore’s graphic novel.

by San Jose Library

THE APPEAL OF GRAPHIC NOVELS

Whether you consider trade paperbacks and graphic novels the same thing or not, the point is that format is becoming increasingly popular in modern times.  And by that format I mean more pages than a typical comic book bound with a spine as opposed to stapled.  More and more comic fans are moving exclusively to the format of graphic novels, and graphic novels are more appealing to the non-comic fan as well.

For years and years the standard format for comic books was 22-32 pages stapled together in what some refer to as floppies, while others refer to them as funny books (even when they’re not comical).  And even though comics originated in magazine format, many resisted the change to the format of graphic novels for a long while.  It is something special to get that short serial every month and anticipate the next month’s arrival with bated breath.

Had graphic novels been prevalent in the days of old, though, before comic shops were popular and comics were typically only found in spinner racks in the local drugstores, then I’d imagine that tune would change.  More times than not, one would pick up a comic and read it and never see the next issue.  Had they been in the format of graphic novels people would have been able to keep up with the story instead of being left at a cliffhanger eternally unresolved every time they picked up a comic.

With trade and hard cover collections of classic comic books these days many old time fans can go back and read all the issues they missed, but it isn’t quite the same.  It’s not fresh and pertinent anymore, even if they are still good stories.

Another reason for the shift of fans to the format of graphic novels and trades is the cost.  Trades or graphic novels are typically anywhere from -20, and hard covers -50 give or take a few dollars.  With trade collections usually 4-6 issues worth of a serial comic are collected, and the same amount of pages for original graphic novels in some cases.  At the current standard of -4 per issue for a floppy, you stand to save anywhere from -16 for buying in the format of graphic novels!

There will always be proponents of the monthly single issue serials as opposed to graphic novels, just as there will always be proponents to printed comics as opposed to digital comics.  But one cannot argue the advantages of collecting graphic novels and trade paperback collections.

Making a graphic novel involves starting with a story and idea, and deciding who is going to illustrate it. Create a graphic novel with tips from a professional cartoonist and illustrator in this free video on drawing. Expert: Danny Page Bio: Danny Page is a professional cartoonist and illustrator. His work has been featured in many art galleries, exhibitions and conventions across the West Coast. Filmmaker: Nathan Boehme
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Related Graphic Novel Articles

Possibly related posts:

• Related posts on APPEAL
• The Nokia C6 Provides All Round Appeal

• Related posts on Graphic
• 10 Sites For Freelance Graphic Design Job Leads | Billyblue …
• 25 $5000 Ben Franklin 14 Gram Laser Graphic Poker Chips | Texas …