07/18/08
Text: Nik Mercer
Since the Golden Age of comics, publishers have fought long and hard for industry domination. Because of their serial nature, creators have always felt obliged to push the envelope of their respective company and churn out more and more enrapturing tales in order to push more pamphlets at newsstands.
Since the earlier part of this millennium, though, the DC Comics vs. Marvel Comics struggle has manifested itself in a bout for big screen superiority rather than episodic print publications. As far as Anthem is concerned, Marvel is still in the lead with strong titles like Iron Man, Spiderman, and The Incredible Hulk—all of which successfully translated pen-and-paper fantasy to Silver Screen magnificence. DC has produced its own fair share of solid cinematic adaptations (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight), mostly due to the fact that its creations are darker and more psychologically deep. With Watchmen, the company looks as though it may once again regain the helm, though (as it notorious did in the 1980s).
As the brand new trailer proudly proclaims, the futuristic superhero drama is "the most celebrated graphic novel of all time," and we're having a tough time disagreeing with this; while other works may represent greater social and cultural impact, nothing has been revered as widely as the great Alan Moore's 1986-7 mainstream masterpiece (hey, if Entertainment Weekly is gushing about you, you know you've hit critical mass).
Considering that the wizard-like Moore (literally, the guy looks like a wizard: check it out) has not refused credit for the Watchmen movie (like he did with his other great work-cum-blockbuster, V for Vendetta), we're feeling good about this one. But check out the trailer (above) for yourself.
