You can type "Watchmen" into Google and you'll see people have set up sites all over the world disecting every panel of this comic book--er, graphic novel. As the blurb from The Villiage Voice puts it, a brilliant piece of fiction. And that really is what it is. The act of reading a comic book still seems to put some people off for whatever reason. But I have read very few books that have left me as eerily touched or have spoken as profound and timless a message as has Watchmen.
Simply calling it a commentary or decunstruction of the superhero mythology is just grazing the iceberg of this book. (Click the pic for the plot description.) But what really stuck me was how timely this book is. It came out and takes place around 1986, but I'll be damned if it doesn't resonate like it came out last month. I suppose it could be simply from the fact that the Russia vs Afganistan conflict and the general political climate during that time is a very interesting reflection of our problems now. And that may be the reason the movie is finally getting in motion. But whatever happens I can only hope they do it half the justice it deserves. I agree with the Devin over at CHUD (they even have a message board set up for this) who has repeatedly requested that it be made as a miniseries on HBO--Band Of Brothers style, giving each chapter it's own hour. That would be ideal--but I've read that the script is actually pretty good and I think Paul Greengrass is an interesting choice. As long as they're fans of the material I feel this could turn out well. Let's hope.
In other comic news, I want to recommend 4 titles that have giddy every time the next issue pops up.
Astonishing X-Men -- This is getting a lot of hype so if you're barely into comics you've probably heard about it. Or, if you're a Buffy fan you may have obsessed over every issue already like me. Yes, Buffy meastro Joss Whedon has launched a new X-Men book (I believe he's down as sole writter for the first 12 issues) and it is a thing of gloriousness. These are great characters and he's made them even more enjoyable and relatable then I remembered them being. This title got me back to hovering over the stands like I used to years ago. Pure joy -- even if you're not that famialiar with these guys (huh?) this series picks up at a great place to jump into.
WE3 -- What happens when the military takes 3 household pets and straps them with some heavy-duty machinery to be used as combat weapons? Well, when the project gets cancelled and the animals are released by the empathetic project director, don't try to stop these 3 from getting home to their masters. But of course that's just what happens and the amount of carnage that ensues it quite intense. A well written and most timely series of three books (the third's about to drop this week or next) by Grant Morrison (Arkham Asylum anyone?). And the brilliant brutal art work is unflinching and makes me cringe with glee. (Click link for Adobe peek)
Ocean -- Ah, Warren Ellis. A great great writter, genius of the medium really, who's also working on revamping Iron Man from the ground up. Both titles are worth checking out, but Ocean is a head scratcher that I still can't tell exactly where it's headed and am loving the mystery of it all. Mr. Ellis is great at creating his own unique worlds and his vision of the future universe of space travel and politics is cool as hell -- he's got kind of a Alien meets Solaris thing going on. I also like his diverse casting for the futuristic story. Making our protagonist a black dude (get Don Cheadle for the movie) and having the team he meets be largely made up of women is an interesting way to go.
Well, check those out. I don't think you could be disappointed.
8 comments:
Who would you cast?
In the Watchmen I mean.
Getting the age right on these guys is going to be difficult. With the book jumping around a 20 or so year span... And I have to admit I've been influenced already by the message boards on this.
Rorschach -- toughest one... Gary Oldman? But Sean Penn would be cool too...
The Comedian -- Mickey Rourke
Nite Owl -- Tim Robbins
Ozymandias -- another tough choice. Cary Elwes strikes me as a possibility. Jude Law's just too young but would be good 10-20 years from now. Matthew Mconnaghey?
Silk Spectre - Demi Moore. (Found her character to be a bit annoying - just like Demi.)
For Dr. Manhattan we'd have to do a CGI Golem type effect, but I like John Malcovich for this. He can do the cold detached thing well. I'll just stick to the main guys there for now. But I like the idea of Adam West as Hollis the retired Nite Owl...
Yeah, the message boards are in my head too.
Tom Berenger as The Comedian seemed sensible.
One consistent guy mentioned as a Rorschach possibility is David Caruso, but I'm opposed to him on moral grounds in that I'm pissed he managed to salvage his career after leaving NYPD Blue. Sean Penn would overact it I think. Gary Oldman would be fantastic but I have to agree with people that say he should be a relavtive, if not complete, unknown. If they go with a star there's a much greater chance they'll mess it all up. He's supposed to be practically unnoticable when he's not out doing his thing. I'd go so far to say the movie depends on this choice.
Robbins would be good as the Nite Owl.
Buscemi?
OK, last one. Comedian - J.K. Simmons.
Casting an unknown is the likely choice I think. I don't like the idea of Caruso at all. I think people are making that suggestion based on his red hair only. But getting an actor to act under a piece of cloth for the majority of the movie will be tough--so an unknown is likely. Buscemi would be great--but I agree with others that say he'd need to put on some weight to pull it off. But he was cool as the hitman in Things To Do in Denver though. One of the main things I had in mind with Rorschach is his narration -- which may or may not be used in the movie. So you'd need someone like with good chops and voice to pull that off. Really it's going to be his voice that will the most important thing for this character anyway--but I always think of the scenes with him and the shrink in jail as who would fit the best--and I do think Buscemi would nail that part. And it'd be cool as all hell to see him use that grappling hook gun.
I'm in love with the idea of Mickey Rourke as The Commedian. I picture the guy swarthy, hulking, kinda greasy, and a bit foul and Mickey would do it perfect. His face is already all beat up and you can sense a loathing for humanity already there.
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