George Mason University's
History News Network
HNN Teacher's Edition
Watchmen
Many libertarians were quite taken with the movie, V for Vendetta, based on the graphic novel of the same name, written by Alan Moore (and illustrated mostly by David Lloyd). Alan Moore is also the author (along with artist Dave Gibbons and colorist John Higgins) of a second graphic novel, Watchmen, which will be released as a movie this March, following a copyright dispute between two movie studios. Watchmen is not as explicitly anti-Statist as V for Vendetta, but it has received even greater critical acclaim, including being listed among Time Magazine’s 100 best English-language novels from 1923 to 2005. For those who are interested in the novel, the movie, or the graphic-novel genre in general, you must definitely check out Ross Levatter’s new site: V is for Veidt: A Watchmen Guide. It promises insightful panel-by-panel elucidation of the novel’s themes and hidden meanings.

Modification

Submitted by Ross Levatter (not verified) on Sun, 2009-02-08 21:33.
My thanks to Jeff for his kind comment and outrageous plug. Aeon's comments were also thoughtful.

Please note that after this posting occurred I modified my blog site such that the link here no longer works. My apologies to anyone inconvenienced. Try: http://web.me.com/rlevatter. Note: NO "www";.

Re: Modification

Submitted by jhummel on Mon, 2009-02-09 10:53.
I've changed the url in the original post so it now works again.

Re: priorities

Submitted by askoble on Fri, 2009-02-06 22:33.
I agree that a miniseries would be better. In some ways, of course, it doesn't matter, because it's arguably unfilmable, in the sense that part of what makes it so great is the way it uses the comic book form to talk about comics. But given the loss of whatever it is that's lost in translation, it's at least possible to do a decent job of it; making a film that is a good film. Based on what I've read, Snyder is aware of this and knows he's in a different medium. That doesn't mean it won't suck, maybe it will. But OTOH I have really liked the clips and viral ads I've seen on line. So maybe, just maybe, it'll be ok. We'll find out in a month I guess. In any case, I do hope everyone reads the book prior to March 6, then my essay, then Ross's book.

priorities

Submitted by askoble on Fri, 2009-02-06 10:45.
I'm hoping, perhaps naively, that the movie will be good. In any event, though, I strongly urge interested parties to read the book first. You still have another month! I'll make it easy for you: http://www.amazon.com/Watchmen-Alan-Moore/dp/0930289234/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233931443&sr=8-2

Re: priorities

Submitted by askoble on Fri, 2009-02-06 10:47.
I should add that I have read a lot of Ross's writings on Watchmen and recommend it highly.

Must...resist...urge...to self-promote...Oh, it's no use. I have also written on this, an essay appearing in this volume: http://www.amazon.com/Superheroes-Philosophy-Justice-Socratic-Popular/dp/0812695739/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233931537&sr=1-1

Re: priorities

Submitted by Jesse Walker (not verified) on Fri, 2009-02-06 12:29.
I'm not sure any movie adaptation of Watchmen could succeed. I suspect the novel is too long and complex to work as anything less than a miniseries.

I'm especially dubious that Zack Snyder, director of the execrable 300, will be able to pull it off.