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NEWS: Bleach Ends Watchmen's 11-Month Run as #1 Graphic Novel

Titles ranging from super hero epics like Spider-Man, Superman, Hulk, Batman, Wonder Woman, X-Men. Disney comics, Witchblade, Vampirella, Wild Cats, Archie, Sonic the Hedgehog, etc. So, just because I haven't read those particular titles does not make me unfamiliar with American comics.

Second, I thought I just said I'd been reading comics basically my whole life. What about that didn't compute?

Anyway, my point was that someone well-versed in the American comic scene would not think that Watchmen is the comic-book pinnacle of depth and acumen.

As for Preacher, it sounds like a Frank Miller-wannabe, but with religious commentary to make it come off "intellectual".

Eh? And why not?

The first volume of Preacher, or even Sandman (which I love more than any other comic out there) can't have the same thing said about them. Over time they do their thing, but you can't just give a random volume to some person unfamiliar with the series and expect the same kind of impact or discussion as Watchmen.

I just want to make this absolutely clear: I am not unfamiliar with *a lot* of American comics. Maybe the whole Vertigo scene but, I don't chalk it up to inexperience, I just choose not to read all these titles that everyone and their grandmother praises as "Oh so good" or whatever. That doesn't make me inexperienced.

littlegreenwolf wrote:

Eh? And why not?

I think I said this before - it's because Watchmen is deconstruction for the sake of deconstruction. So much time is dedicated to scrutinizing this scenario of super-heroes in real life, and trying to explain the psychology of the people who are willing to do it, but the bottom line is that this has never happened.

I just want to make this absolutely clear: I am not unfamiliar with *a lot* of American comics. Maybe the whole Vertigo scene but, I don't chalk it up to inexperience, I just choose not to read all these titles that everyone and their grandmother praises as "Oh so good" or whatever. That doesn't make me inexperienced.

littlegreenwolf wrote:

Eh? And why not?

I think I said this before - it's because Watchmen is deconstruction for the sake of deconstruction. So much time is dedicated to scrutinizing this scenario of super-heroes in real life, and trying to explain the psychology of the people who are willing to do it, but the bottom line is that this has never happened. It is not in human nature to play vigilantes for the sake of complete strangers, and certainly not to do it at high risk and in retarded costumes. It just doesn't ring true to me. Putting the concept of masked heroes into a real-life-like scenario ignores the primary reason for superhero comics, which is basic escapism. As a result, it seems like a pissing contest to me, a "look, guys, at what I can do" sort of thing; it may have great characterization and social messages, but I can't get over the feeling that it's just an exercise in deconstruction.

You don't like it, fine. Just don't bend over backwards trying to convince everyone else why they shouldn't like it.

I can see where you're coming from although I don't entirely agree because to me, Watchmen is still ultimately a non-realistic, escapist superhero story. Yes, it does offer a more realistic take on superheroes but as you said, superheroes are inherently unrealistic and so is Watchmen. From there, I guess maybe it's a matter of perspective. You see deconstruction for it's own sake. I think it's still worthwhile to deconstruct the superhero concept even if it's just essentially a 'what if'. It still makes for an extremely enjoyable story with great characterization even if it is still ultimately an escapist superhero fantasy.

Now i think the Japanese manga have many advantages over American comics. One you get better value with a manga volume than a single issue comic book maybe even a trade paper back depending on the size of the volume. You pay 3-4 dollars for a 32 page color comic with ads or pay around 10 bucks and get triple the pages.