WATCHMEN 2
- By Devin Faraci
- Published 02/3/2010
- News
This is all too believable. If you think that movies are creatively bankrupt when it comes to sequels, prequels, reboots and rip-offs, then you haven't seen the comic book industry, where nothing is sacred, anything can be retconned and any story - no matter how finite, no matter how classic - can be continued.You want to talk about creative bankruptcy? How about Watchmen 2? Or Untold Tales of Watchmen? They could be coming.
According to noted comic industry gossip Rich Johnston, Paul Levitz stepping down from his position as President and Publisher of DC Comics has opened the door for the company to cash in on their best-selling comic book of all time. Executive Editor Dan DiDio, already hated by fanboys across the globe, has apparently made it his personal mission to ride off the continued sales success of Watchmen with prequels, spin-offs and possibly sequels.
Johnston explains that this has been a long time coming. The Watchmen world was going to be included in 52, DC's multiverse spawning event, but apparently Levitz stopped that. Now with DiDio free to do as he pleases we'll get to see the original adventures of the Minutemen, the team ups of Nite Owl and Rorschach, and possibly what comes after the attack on New York City.
You can't be too surprised. What you can do is promise to not buy this. No matter who is writing or drawing it (even if it's Dave Gibbons, as Johnston hints), no matter how good you hear it is, do not buy it. Show DC that you have some sort of backbone and that you're not the easily fleeced fanboy they think you are.
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Comments
Comment #1 (Posted by Hal Hartley)
In the words of Nick Cage, "Awww geeez."
Comment #2 (Posted by an unknown user)
Shut up, you'll read it.
Comment #3 (Posted by Alright...)
But what if it's cool?
Comment #4 (Posted by BB)
I won't buy it, but I'll download the shit out of it.
Comment #5 (Posted by Magic Kenny)
Good lord. I suppose shortly after this DC can run its long-awaited "The Hindenburg 2: Back to the Balloon" sequel.
Comment #6 (Posted by Jeremy Collins)
They may just actually make that "Wathmen Babies" that was shown on the Simpsons which I think would be hilarious/adorable
Comment #7 (Posted by Sean)
I won't lie, while watching the original theatrical release of the film I thought to myself "If they made a Nite Owl/Rorschach prequel, I'd totally go see it." And I still feel that way,
Comment #8 (Posted by Hugz3u)
Gibbons probably needs this. Can't think who'd want to buy any extended universe shit though...oh yeah, comicbook fans...
Comment #9 (Posted by Wayne)
Haha, take that Devin, you fat man child. I hope that news ruins your entire week, and then next week you're diagnosed with diabetes.
Comment #10 (Posted by putch)
*licensed* Dr. M pr0n
Comment #11 (Posted by Emo Rays)
Dubya Bush kinda put the kibosh on the Watchmen world by bringing the apocalypse ready world to its knees with unabashed stupidity and fear.. put this Emo Squad to bed please..
Comment #12 (Posted by Midnight Thud)
When Creative Screenwriting Magazine did a Q&A for Watchmen, David Hayter mentioned how Alan Moore cut off contact completely with him after he tried to pitch a sequel. Can't say I blame Moore, though I also don't subscribe to the idea that the graphic novel is "untouchable" and its universe has no room left for further exploration. It would certainly require a different thematic perspective that wouldn't just rehash the cyclical conclusion of the first story, but by no means are the character's personal lives going to remain in stasis after the end of the graphic novel.
Also Devin, did you ever get the chance to read the script when Paul Greengrass was on board to direct? I'm wildly curious to see what that might have been, particularly if Greengrass employed the same aesthetic as his past work. Was it really going to become modernized, and did Greengrass' background in Cold War history shape the narrative in any new or bold directions?
Comment #13 (Posted by Cake Farts)
this is a fucking travesty all this will do is soil the good name of a classic comic, fuck these assholes capitalizing on it
Comment #14 (Posted by Jer)
Why get your panties in a twist? No one will force you to buy it. Stupid fanboy complaining. It's even more relaiable than remakes and sequels - it NEVER stops.
Comment #15 (Posted by Jason Pollock)
"I'm wildly curious to see what that might have been, particularly if Greengrass employed the same aesthetic as his past work. Was it really going to become modernized, and did Greengrass' background in Cold War history shape the narrative in any new or bold directions?"
It was set present day, was highly critical of Bush Administration fearmongering, and swapped Cold War scare-tactics for post 9/11 scare tactics. The narrative played out pretty much exactly as it did in the final film. There was no squid.
Comment #16 (Posted by moviemenace)
I say, Why not? They've been doing this sort of thing with comic books for as long as I can remember. I'm not much of a comic book fan, so maybe I'm coming from a different place. I have read "Watchmen" and it is a pretty solid book but I feel the book ends so aburptly because Alan Moore got bored writing it. Moore created a rich, ever-expanding universe that he didn't bother exploring himself. So why not let great comic book writers run with his original vision. You can take it in so many interesting directions, it would be ashame to see it not further explored.
Comment #17 (Posted by RCA)
I am ready to be fleeced. Let the toy lines and spin-off's begin, have tween versions of the characters dealing with puberty, get Chris Columbus to direct the next film and make them all vampires. You can have all my cash, I don't need it, as long as the machine keeps pumping me full of Watchmen related content. You will cry out for us to stop buying this drivel and I will swipe my credit card and look down and whisper... no
Comment #18 (Posted by Man Mon)
Don't forget that in paul greengrass's watchmen niteowl kills Veidt in the end with catchy one-liner. All those people who bitched about Zack Snyders adaptation of Watchmen would have lost their minds with Paul's adaptation. I sort of hope they do make a sequel. Give it to Frank Miller so he can pull another "All star batman" Tongue and cheek piss on all the fans of the characters. And yes, Devin will end up reading any spin-offs and sequels. I'd bet good money on it. Fat piece of shit.
Comment #19 (Posted by Lane Meyer)
I'll download it. But, if it's good, I'll buy it. No matter how 'creatively bankrupt' something seems, fanboys (like you apparently) seem to forget that good can come out of anything. I highly doubt this will be great, but it will be kind of cool to see these characters doing something again, especially if a decent writer gets hold of the characters and ideas that were barely mentioned in the original book. I for one would really dig seeing the Comedian's origin and career fleshed out. I also collect action figures, so that's going to be cool too. Everyone needs to take a deep breath and realize that no matter how special something is, no matter how pure or holy, a corporation somewhere along the line is going to come along and exploit the shit out of it. The only thing you can do is hope that something good comes out of it, because no amount of bitching is ever going to stop it.
Comment #20 (Posted by spencefilms)
I'll totally buy it
Comment #21 (Posted by Three Oranges)
I'm only surprised because, since it hadn't happened before now, I assumed that there was something with the rights that prevented it from happening. Oh well, I only read Watchmen a couple days before seeing the movie, anyway.
Comment #22 (Posted by Kubrick Fan)
They are exploiting the image of Watchmen the way Veidt exploited his own image and created an empire with it. Brilliant.
Comment #23 (Posted by Devine Sphincter)
@#19: You are dead on.
Everyone else needs to quit fucking whining. If it's well-written and the art is good, it's worth buying. End of story. There are no more "holy grails".
Comment #24 (Posted by J D)
Uh, who cares.
Comment #25 (Posted by an unknown user)
Alan allows his ABC comic line to live on. Get over it. the Watchmen is a comic franchise. I will only buy the good stuff written by that hack Gaimen. Just after he finishes his Miracle Man comics.
Comment #26 (Posted by Hmmmm ...)
In principle, this sounds fucking stupid. But, as others before this post have asked, what if it's GOOD? I'm sorry, but I'm not going to blindly bind myself to some boycott. Same thing with the Spider-Man prequel. If I hear it's good, or I think it looks good, I'll go fucking see it. Fanboy purity is a lot like religious or political fundamentalism. It closes minds.
Comment #27 (Posted by D)
Watchmen sucks anyway.
Comment #28 (Posted by PxRx)
"Nothing ever ends."
Comment #29 (Posted by BigBob)
I WILL NOT IN ANY WAY SUPPORT THIS CASH COW AGENDA TO CREATE A PISS POOR ATTEMPT OF A FOLLOW UP TO ALAN MOORE'S WATCHMEN. NOW HAD MOORE WRITTEN A FOLLOW UP STORY SET AFTER THE EVENTS OF THE 1ST BOOK BUT ON DIFFERENT CHARACTERS FUCK YEAH I'D SUPPORT THE HELL OUT OF THE PROJECT.
Comment #30 (Posted by Billy)
@26: Spiderman reboot, not prequel. Otherwise I agree with ya. No more fan boy purity pledges, please.
Comment #31 (Posted by longbowhunter)
If you're a fanboy with any kind of soul,DO NOT SUPPORT THIS SHIT!!! Watchmen is a fucking work of art...widely hailed as one of the best NOVELS of all time. If DC is hellbent on dragging its corpse out into the streets and charging 5 bucks a pop to rape its corpse so be it-but dont you dare call yourself a fan and support that kind of abuse. Never compromise. Never surrender. Not even in the face of Dan Dildo's Armageddon.....
Comment #32 (Posted by Frank )
This doesn't strike me as any more egregious than the horrible fucking adaptation your buddy Zack directed. Maybe if DiDio invited you to DC's offices and gave you a video interview you'd feel different.
Comment #33 (Posted by Oh Snap Chemicals)
Ugh, the true horror is that some people think the movie is good. The core Marvel and DC universes both average out to utter garbage, anyway.
Comment #34 (Posted by AVATAR*IS*4*RETARDS)
These new WATCHMEN movies will be more entertaining then Avaturd. FACT!!!
Comment #35 (Posted by Steve Hauk)
Stories of the team of Nite Owl and Rorschach as told by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon? I'd be waiting at the comic shop door at opening on wednesday!
Comment #36 (Posted by Walter K.)
Hurrm. Scum. Gonna pay 'em a visit soon.
Comment #37 (Posted by Phil Dean)
I would only buy this if Alan Moore were writing it, and that ain't gonna fucking happen.
Comment #38 (Posted by Jer)
" Fanboy purity is a lot like religious or political fundamentalism. It closes minds."............................................
Well said. I think most of the rest of these posts illustare your point exceptionally well.
Comment #39 (Posted by Three Oranges)
Am I allowed to have no interest in this and have no intention of buying it, or does that make me some kind of closed-minded, crazy fanboy? Someone please explain the rules to me.
Comment #40 (Posted by [A])
..of course people will buy this!!! grrr
Comment #41 (Posted by Bulbs of Ronnie)
I think this is GREAT news!!! I've never understood why people are so against this kind of thing. How, eaxctly, does WATCHMEN get "ruined" by expanding on it? Any additional WATCHMEN books can easily be shrugged off as "non-canon."
Comment #42 (Posted by BKB)
I'd say based on WATCHMEN'S Box office domestically, no one gave a shit about this and didn't last very long in theatres.. Perhaps this will be a Direct to DVD sort of thing, cause why continue on with this if it's not lighting the box office world on fire with the 1st movie???
Comment #43 (Posted by an unknown user)
I'll read it.
Comment #44 (Posted by Sleeper)
You guys need to pay closer attention to what you read. He's clearly talking about a comic sequel, not a movie sequel. Changes in the editorial hierarchy at DC Comics would have fuck-all impact on getting a movie made. Dave Gibbons is a penciller, not a director. Christ. Try and keep up.
As for the idea itself, it's rancid, but I expect nothing better from DiDio. COUNTDOWN was so bad it drove me back into an extended comics hiatus.
Comment #45 (Posted by The Dude)
I think this is a bad idea. Nontheless, my curiousity would get the better of me, and I'd check it out. All you fanboys would as well. So shut the fuck up.
The only person how would actually ignore this is Moore himself.
Comment #46 (Posted by But you missed the point ...)
@#39 Three Oranges: There's a difference between having no interest in something and signing on to a blind boycott of something that doesn't even exist yet. Way to set up a strawman there.
Comment #47 (Posted by PlanBFromOuterSpace)
If there are creators put on the book(s) that I'm interested in, I'll check it out, just as I would if it was a property I DIDN'T like as much to begin with. Plenty of times in the past, I've been turned off of a book because of a change in direction that I wasn't into, but just as often, if not more, I've become a fan of characters I wouldn't have otherwise given a chance if creators I didn't TRUST hadn't given them a chance as well. As long as they treat any future Watchmen projects respectfully and don't just throw a bunch of nobodies on it, it has the potential to be very interesting without pissing on the legacy of the original material. I wonder what fanboy rage was like back when Stan Lee decided he wasn't going to write 20 titles a month anymore? "Fuck Spider-Man! No one should read that anymore! Without Stan Lee writing it, it's going to fucking die, because I fear change! Grrrrr!"
Comment #48 (Posted by Kiebler)
Whatever. The original book will always be there. Nothing will change that. But belligerent nerds need something to be mad at and I guess this fits the bill. Carry on.
Comment #49 (Posted by ddxmas)
I like the idea isn't a bad one. It's the execution and the people that will be behind it. Moore & Gibbons poured their heart into this book, it is obvious. I have always wondered though...what if Rorschach's journal was to be published? The truth threatening to uproot Adrian's utopia. What might he do to protect this huge lie?
Comment #50 (Posted by George Pedrosa)
Well, judging from the comments, apparently these people ARE the easily fleeced fanboys DC thinks they are.
If people who read books were as retarded and manipulable as comic book fans are, we would be getting sequels to Hamlet and War and Peace, no doubt.
Comment #51 (Posted by Imagine)
CHILDREN OF MANHATTAN. Many decades have passed since the attack on New York. Viedt is an aged, Howard Hughes-like demagogue, kept alive by machines, obsessed with his younger self and consumed by the hanging question of whether he did the right thing at Karnak. A rebuilt New York that promised Singaporean sterility runs riot with crime not seen since the police strike of ’77. Into this scene rides an army of gods, fathered by Osterman on his trip to the stars. Jon has led his new people home to pass judgment on the species he left behind. Across New York on the night of his arrival, hundreds of children are born with Rorschach birthmarks on their faces. All carry vengeful dispositions. Looks like someone else had the will to rebuild himself from the ether – he was just biding his time. From the political elite to the criminal underground, the two forces lock horns. Which of them will survive as the true children of Manhattan?
Comment #52 (Posted by J)
Johnston's article is pure speculation.
This has no more veracity than anyone reporting that the next Batman film is filming next year because a new WB executive would like to see it happen.
Comment #53 (Posted by Jay)
Is this the "Dumb A Day"? It bloody well should be!
Comment #54 (Posted by The Mutt)
Why should the Watchmen be treated any differently than Tarzan, Sherlock Holmes or Superman?
Comment #55 (Posted by Ben)
Yowza. If people thought Moore was a cranky SOB before, wait till he hears about THIS.
Comment #56 (Posted by Sgt Gunlock)
look it's not that bad It's not some jack ass movie producer this is comic books people if they stike to pre watchmen I'm fine with that (personally I'd love to see Rorschach and nite owl kick ass)
