Before Watchmen: The Comedian #1 (of 6, DC Comics, $3.99)
Brian Azzarello (w) and J.G. Jones (a)
Once again, if you forget the controversy, another "Before Watchmen" book is pretty absorbing.
The Comedian #1 begins on Aug. 5, 1962, and ends on Nov. 22, 1963. For those who don't know much about history -- and shame on you -- the first date is the death of Marilyn Monroe, and the second that of President John F. Kennedy. So conspiracy theorists rejoice! There are hidden players surrounding these two events, and they are somewhat plausible due to the presence of an "invisible man" -- Edward "The Comedian" Blake, a superhero (and government enforcer) with no official identity. See? That's the missing piece!
But probably not the way anyone would expect, even those three guys on The X-Files. In fact, Azzarello (already famed for crime noir books like 100 Bullets and Loveless) is on top of his game, fitting Blake seamlessly and convincingly into real-world events, and surprising me at every turn. Blake's relationships with Monroe, the Kennedy family and even Moloch the Mystic make perfect sense, but play against type in almost every case. I have to give a lot of points for this, because it's an ingenious way to enliven a story -- well, several stories -- to which we already know the end. We know all the particulars about how all the major players in this story will die, but the convoluted connections between them keep you turning the pages to find out more.
I really shouldn't be surprised that Azzarello can surprise me with unexpected plot twists and characters with inner conflicts, as he has many times before. But one aspect that is especially surprising is that Blake's relationship to JFK's death is not what Watchmen the book implies, and Watchmen the movie establishes flat out. Varying from the movie, sure, that's fine. But from Alan Moore's Holy Text? Heresy!
Except it's not, because Moore only implied it, and besides, it makes for a better story. And I'm there for that. Still, brace yourself for the inevitable rending of clothes, gnashing of teeth and tearing of hair.
Another surprise is that Eddie Blake actually has a character arc. Of all the "Before Watchmen" books, I was least interested in this one, because in every instance, from his teenage years to his retirement, Blake is depicted as little more than an amoral thug. Who wants to read about a violent, sadistic rapist dressed in the flag for six issues?
Well, obviously, nobody. Obvious to Azzarello, that is, who has crafted a tale that adds some layers -- and some inner conflicts, as noted above -- to the formerly one-note Comedian. Can he keep that up for five more issues? I can't imagine how, but I couldn't imagine I'd ever enjoy Comedian #1. So I bet he can.
Azzarello is abetted by the ultra-realistic art of J.G. Jones, who not only gives a real-world feel to the proceedings, but captures the clothes, cars and styles of the early 1960s nicely. He also provides recognizable renditions of Monroe and the Kennedys without making them look like cartoons or caricatures -- quite a feat, which only a few artists can achieve.
This is a real high-wire act, inserting comic-book elements into historical events we all know so well. And maybe there's a little part of me anticipating that one little detail, that one tiny connection, will be the 11th impossible thing before breakfast that makes the plausibility of the plot, and my suspension of disbelief, collapse. But that's not a big part, and I'm really rooting for Azzarello to keep stringing me along, because it's so much fun.
So it's a good book, one that made me eager for the next issue. To my complete and utter amazement.
Replies
Cap, I agree completely. I was more hesitant about buying this book than any of the other Before Watchmen titles yet Azzarello gave the Comedian a surprisingly human side. Incredible. I also enjoyed the way he weaved the Comedian into historical events. And as you said, Jones did a great job portraying public figures which were neither photo-realistic nor cartoony. You could even tell Jack, Bobby and Teddy apart simply by looking at them.
Honestly, of the three BW books out so far, this is the only one I'm intrigued enough to continue with. The Kennedy connection was beautifully portrayed and actually managed to surprise me.
It's funny Cap, 'cause while you and Chris seem to have really appreciated the art, I felt the issue was dragged down by it. Ah well, to each their own I guess.
Viva la difference, BM. If we all liked the same things, there would be less variety in the world, and we would all suffer for it.
I agree with what you said about playing against type. The movie route was obvious; this was a surprise. And the Jackie/Marylin sub-plot was even more of a surprise. I do think Eddie Blake in the original had layers of characterization, though, albeit subtle. We may not tend to remember him that way, but it hasn't been too long since I last re-read The Watchmen so it's still pretty fresh in my mind.
I read this issue last night and really liked it. The route the story took surprised me as well. I'm looking forward to the next issue. Of the three BW, this may have been my favorite. I liked the other two a lot, though.
This isn't even the first time Azzarello has played with a rewrite of this very incident. He does the same thing in 100 Bullets, except...
SPOIL
SPOIL
SPOIL
SPOIL
SERIOUSLY, IGNORE THE BOTTOM OF THIS IF YOU'RE PLANNING ON READING 100 BULLETS and DON'T LIKE SPOILERS.
WHICH I'VE NEVER UNDERSTOOD, AS IT IS MORE ABOUT HOW THEY TELL THE STORY THAN THE STORY ELEMENTS THEMSELVES...
...BUT MAYBE THAT'S JUST ME...
ANYWAY, HERE GOES...
...for the fact that in the 100 Bullets version, Kennedy had Marilyn Monroe killed, then an angry Joe DiMaggio either killed or had Kennedy killed with one of those special bullets. It may be my favorite 100 Bullets story ever.
But somehow, it didn't even take away from this one. I just thought, "Wow, he's going here again? Hey, not bad!"
What issue(s) was that, Jeff?
I really liked this issue as well. I read it last night, and while I usually really enjoy JG Jones' art, here I just felt there was something off about it. The story really was great, and I liked the depth they added to the Comedian.
It was issue #27 of 100 Bullets. I have all the trades. I really need to reread the first several--and then read the last few for the first time!
Jeff of Earth-J said:
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