"Watchmen" by Alan Moore (writer) and Dave Gibbons (artist)

There are two types of comic book stories that I especially enjoy. The first is stories about superheros: stories about super-powers, costumes, secret identities and the like. The second is stories about more mature topics (typified by DC's Vertigo imprint) that deal with real-world issues in an intelligent and adult manner.

"Watchmen" is a story of both of these types. It is the most intelligent piece of literature that I have ever read. It just happens to be a graphic novel about superheroes.

Set in the mid-eighties, in an earth so similar to our own that it could very easily have been, the series twelve issues follows the exploits of a group of real world superheroes. These are not the archetypical characters that one usually stumbles across in comic books (or in mainstream novels either, for that matter). The characters in the "Watchmen" mythos are each complicated personalities; these are flawed people trying desperately to make a difference in a world slowly desending into hell.

The story was written by Alan Moore. With "Watchmen" he approached in a brand new way, a field that was over-run with stagnant stories and over-used characters. (And this is hardly the only time that he has done this.) "Watchmen" is well-regarded by the comic book community as one of the greatest stories ever told. It won many awards (including a Hugo, making it the only comic to do so) and frequents must-read lists.

I must admit that this last week was not the first time that I had read this story. About five years ago Curtis collected each of the twelve issues - a week or two at a time - and I read them then, as he did. This was, however, only my second time reading the issues. I have been meaning to re-read the story for quite some time. (Troë just bought me the complete run as an anniversary present.)

I was surprised at how much more there was to the story then what I had percieved on my first read. I quite liked it the first time, but now I have such a greater appreciation for the creators. With "Watchmen", they created something entirely new and original. And they did one hell of a job.

This is a story that everyone should read. I say this with no bias towards the subject matter or the format. (Well, maybe a little.) This is simply a smart story told in a manner different than what most people are used to.