Alan Moore: Watchmen

It is interesting to read this comic after seeing the film a couple of years ago. I have to say I think, now having read the comic, that the movie did not do it justice. But honestly, what movie has ever done a work, not originally made for film, justice? So, that being said, I found the style of this comic to be refreshing. Not only are the dynamic shots impressive but it is nice to see a comic done with color. The black and white inking was getting to me. I thought it was interesting how they used the color to separate the idea of the present and the past or the present and what could have been the past. For example, in the very beginning of the comic an investigation is in progress and the detectives are coming up with different scenarios of what could have taken place. While speaking about these things the panels switch from them to panels of the man who was murdered. In these panels the man is seen acting out the detectives suggestions and you realize this is not presently happening due to the panel being painted in red. As well, this comic is slightly ironic, like I remember from the movie, it begins with a smiley face found in blood. A symbol of sorts to mark the presence of the murderer. Its ironic because it marks such a gruesome and horrible thing that has taken place with a bright yellow, happy smiley face. It has iconic characters such as, my favorite, Rorschach, a private detective who disguises himself by wearing a white mask featuring ever changing ink blots,  Doctor Manhattan, a blue skinned physicist, and Nite Owl, a man who uses owl-themed gadgets, to name a few. Aside from all this, the thing that got me the most is that Moore incorporates slight hints at being political. For example, he has Rorschach say that President Truman was a good man and that, basically, communism is bad. Also, Moore puts in panels that are purely action based, meaning they do not include any dialogue. These panels I particularly like. I feel they convey the sequential scene extremely well. there is no confusion about what is trying to be said.