Watchin' The Watchmen

This week DC Comics announced they're finally going through with their plans to publish a prequel to Alan Moore's 1986 ground-breaking graphic novel Watchmen.

Not surprisingly, Moore refused to participate in the project. I can't say I blame him. The original Watchmen graphic novel is a high water mark in the history of comic books and I don't see how these prequels could possibly add anything of value. If anything they'll most likely tarnish Watchmen's legacy. But who cares about artistic integrity when there's merchandising money to be made, right?

DC released cover images for seven or eight of the prequel issues. As I looked at them, this is the one that caught my eye:

Um... is Dr. Manhattan really doing what it looks like he's doing? Introducing Silk Specter to his Bronx, right there on the cover for everyone to see? He pretty much has to be, amiright? I can't think of any other reason he'd be holding her in such a manner.

Maybe it's not as bad as I think. Maybe they're really at one of those corporate team-building retreats and Silk Specter has to fall backwards and trust the Dr. to catch her. Or maybe it's her birthday and he told her to close her eyes and he's guiding her into the next room to see the surprise he bought.

Or maybe it's exactly what it looks like and he's coming right up Broadway.