My undergraduate degree was in literature, and consequently most of what I read in terms of fiction is serious literature. I don't tend to read popular novels. As I have gotten older, I have tended to gravitate back to the writers I enjoyed in my college years. But on a lark, I picked up a copy of the graphic novel, The Watchmen. It's cleverly organized, with traditional text chapters separating the comic-book style chapters.

I was almost embarassed when I got it--being seen buying a comic book. I wanted to say that I was purchasing it for a child. But having gotten through a third of the book, it's really rather well done. Time magazine has called it one of the top 100 novels of the 20th Century, and while I might not rank it that high, it's one of the better books I've read in the last few months.

 

The comic book/graphic novel format is an interesting bridge between strict literature and movies.
Obliviously you can pass a large amount of information embedded in graphics which would take a huge amount of time to develop with just the written word.
You have not however entirely restricted the imagination of the reader for developing background info.

 

I'm looking forward to catching it at the local megaplex. It definitely looks like one of those movies I will want to catch on the big screen.

 

^ how about the DVD


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1322240/

 

I am looking forward to the movie as well.

Tan

 

My teenager came in talking about the watchmen and I feared he had already downloaded the movie.

but it was the book, phew!!!

 

I'd agree, not top 100 of all 20th century! But absolutely top 100, or maybe even top 10, of graphic novels. I've read enough about the movie adaptation to not like the plot changes already (what? no giant fake-alien squid ?!)

 

Damn...I hadn't gotten that far into the book...no more spoilers please.

 

We will probably go see it this weekend.

 

Saw a clip on CNBC of all places talking about this one.
They are expecting it to be a huge blockbuster.