The Intro and Backstory:
In 1986, legendary comic book writer Allan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons created a 12-issue miniseries for DC Comics called "Watchmen". The story, for those of you unfamiliar with it, takes place mostly in New York City in an alternate 1985 where Richard Nixon is President for life and the US won the Vietnam War. The main conflict around a group of superheroes investigating the murder of one of their own, little suspecting their involved in an even bigger scheme. The miniseries was critically acclaimed for its non-linear storytelling, detailed character development, and, most importantly, the dark, dreary overtone. Next to Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns", "Watchmen" as gone on to become the most highly-regarded and influential comic book stories in history. However, despite the ending leaving no doors open for a sequel, this wouldn't be the last time fans would see the world of the Watchmen in comic book form.
In February 2012, DC Comics boldly announced that they would be releasing a group of prequel stories to Allan Moore's original tale under the brand of "Before Watchmen". Initially announced as 7 simultaneous miniseries (another two-issue miniseries and a one-shot were announced and released later on), "Before Watchmen" ran from June 2012 to April 2013. Controversy stuck right away, as many fans went into an uproar over the announcement about how seemingly pointless of an idea it was. However, after reading all of these stories, myself, I would have to disagree. While the original "Watchmen" graphic novel did cover most of the back-history involved with the main plot, there were some mysteries and unexplained plot points that were left hanging by the end. So does "Before Watchmen" resolve any of them? Let's take a look.
The Stories:
"Before Watchmen" consists of 8 miniseries and a one-shot issue, all of which were created with the intent to expand upon the universe and backstory established in Allan Moore's original 12-issue miniseries from the 80's. To this end, DC Comics brought together a multitude of superb writers and artists to work together on each story. Such talent includes comic writers J. Michael Straczynski, Brian Azzarello, Darwyn Cooke, and Len Wein, along with artists Lee Bermejo, J. G. Jones, Adam Hughes, Andy Kubert, Joe Kubert, and Amanda Conner. Below are my summarized thoughts on each of the stories and my verdicts for each of them.
Before Watchmen: Minutemen (6 issue miniseries)-The first of the stories to be released and easily the best. Centered around The Minutemen, the precursor team to the one the main characters formed in "Watchmen", legendary writer/artist Darwyn Cooke sheds some truth behind the team's endeavors from the point of view of former superhero Hollis Mason, the original Nite-Owl. Without spoiling much, many mysteries surrounding the team are answered, including the fate of Hooded Justice and more, all set to Cooke's gorgeous art style! If you're looking to give this saga a shot, this is the one to start with!
Rating: 10/10
Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre (4 issue miniseries)- From here on out, the rest of the stories are all centered around one single character, starting with Silk Spectre. Written by Darwyn Cooke and illustrated by artist Amanda Conner, this miniseries centers around the origins of Laurie Jupiter and how she comes to accept her destiny as her mother Sally's successor as the crime-fighter Silk Spectre. The art is amazing and trippy at times, and the writing, while not as sentimental as "Minutemen", is still strong here.
Rating: 8/10
Before Watchmen: Comedian (6 issue miniseries)- This one's easily the weakest miniseries of the bunch, but certainly not bad either. Like with all the other stories published under the "Before Watchmen" banner, writer Brian Azzarello and artist J. G. Jones keep true to the tone and feel of the original Allan Moore story, but "Comedian" doesn't really bring much to the table in terms of new developments. Sure, we see more of Eddie Blake's time working for the government and we learn that he was very close with the Kennedys, but otherwise that's it. Still very well-written and well drawn, though.
Rating: 7/10
Before Watchmen: Rorschach (4 issue miniseries)- If "Comedian" was the weakest "Before Watchmen" miniseries released, then "Rorschach", also written by Brian Azzarello, is without a doubt the darkest. Again, not a whole lot of new character revelations here, although we do get an explanation for what Rorschach meant by "I've see [New York City's] true face" in the opening monologue of the original "Watchmen" comic. Even so, this miniseries is still a good read, regardless. Rorschach's portrayal in this story is exactly as it was back in the original 1986 miniseries, and artist Lee Bermejo grimy, grimy artwork matches the character's equally grim and grimy personality.
Rating: 8.5/10
Before Watchmen: Nite Owl (4 issue miniseries)- This one's probably my personally favorite "Before Watchmen" story, and the one I was looking forward to the most next to "Minutemen". Written by J. Michael Straczynski and illustrated by both Andy and Joe Kubert, "Nite Owl" gives us the previously-unexplained backstory of Dan Dreiberg, Hollis Mason's successor as Nite Owl. Many lingering questions not brought up in the original story are answered here, such as how Dan became the new Nite Owl, his first meeting and endeavors with Rorschach, and more. We even find out how Rorschach got his "The End Is Nigh" picket sign that he carried around with him in his civilian personal, as seen in both the "Watchmen" movie and comic! Overall, I honestly felt that JMS and company succeeded in giving Dan his proper backstory where Allan Moore didn't even bother. A real must-read next to "Minutemen"!
Rating: 10/10
Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan (4 issue miniseries)- Great artwork from Adam Hughes and JMS' writing is dead-on exactly like Allan Moore's in this miniseries. Not much to note here in terms of plot, aside from a brief glimpse as to where Manhattan went after the ending of "Watchmen" and some very trippy what-if scenarios. Probably the second-weakest "Before Watchmen" story next to "Comedian", but still not terrible either.
Rating: 7.5/10
Before Watchmen: Ozymandias (6 issue miniseries)- The second best miniseries next to "Minutemen". Written by Len Wein and illustrated by Jae Lee, we get a glimpse into the mind of Adrian Veidt just prior to the climax of "Watchmen", as we see more of his origins and learn what exactly led him to enact his master plan to end the Cold War. Great artwork on Lee's part and superb writing to boot!
Rating: 9.5/10
Before Watchmen: Moloch (2 issue miniseries)- One of two later additions to the "Before Watchmen" saga, this miniseries from writer JMS and artist Eduardo Risso gives us a the entire life and times of ex-supervillain Edward Jacobi a.k.a. Moloch the Mystic. We learn about his life as an outcast from childhood to adult, his time committing crimes and later service under Adrian Veidt, all the way to his untimely murder during the events of "Watchmen". The artwork, whist not as impressive as some of the other miniseries featured here, is boosted by JMS' strong writing. Otherwise, a very interesting read, nonetheless.
Rating: 8/10
Before Watchmen: Dollar Bill (One-shot story)- The second of the two "Before Watchmen" stories that were announced later on (the other, of course, being "Moloch"). Writer Len Wein and artist Steve Rude give us the entire backstory of Minutemen member Bill Brady a.k.a. Dollar Bill. Through Bill's personal POV, we follow him from his humble beginnings to his rise to fame as a superhero and his murder at the hands of bank robbers (a particularly embarrassing, yet tragic moment that was referenced in both "Watchmen" and the "Minutemen" miniseries). This story could have easily turned out to be a unnecessary addition to an already packed line-up, but instead becomes a sentimental, yet ultimately hopeful story of one man's life and legacy.
Rating: 9/10
Curse of the Crimson Corsair- Originally told in single-page doses over the course of each issue of all 9 "Before Watchmen" stories, this saga of pirates and doom is written in the same vein as "Tales of the Black Freighter" from the original "Watchmen" miniseries. Not much else to say without giving away spoilers. You can easily read this in full on DC Comics' website or via the Ozymandias/Crimson Corsair hardcover graphic novel, one of the 4 main "Before Watchmen" graphic novel collections released recently.
Rating: 8/10
My Final Verdict:
Overall, the entire "Before Watchmen" is nowhere near as bad as first feared when first announced. Sure, each story has its ups and downs but they all remain true to the tone and soul of Allan Moore's original saga. Not once do any of the 9 stories feel like they're taking a turn for the worst, even with the weaker installments. DC took a big chance with this experiment and, in my personal opinion, they succeeded with flying colors! If you are a fan of "Watchmen" and want to know more about the back-history of the original story, then this is absolutely for you! I strongly suggest picking up all 4 hardcover graphic novel collections! They may be around $25 each, but they're absolutely worth getting if you wanna avoid spending over $100 on the individual issues.
Rating for "Before Watchmen" overall: 9.5/10