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Overanalyzing Anime
Blog Owner & Lead Writer
As it’s name implies, the Before Watchmen series provides readers with insight on the life of their favorite Watchmen characters prior to their joining the team. These four issues focus on the life of Jon Ostermman/Doctor Manhattan.
While Doctor Manhattan's was the first story I read in the series, I decided to hold off on writing about it until after after I had read the stories of at least two other characters. I did this because I imagined that this story - due to it revolving around a man who sees time in such a unique way - would be structured differently than the others, & I was correct in that assumption. This story doesn’t just focus on Doctor Manhattan's life prior to his time with the Watchmen, but instead presents us with the past, the present, & the future - not to mention the multiuverse - all at once. In short, it gets pretty wild - which was just fine by me.
I want to start by saying this story is absolute Sci-Fi nirvana. If you’re intrigued by concepts such as the multiverse & time travel, or love thought experiments such as the Schrödingers Cat Paradox, then this story is for you. It’s so steeped in theoretical sciences that it may end up teaching you a thing or two. Familiar with Quantum Mechanics? Well, you will be after reading this.
I would normally take this time to interject any qualms I had with the story, but I honestly can’t think of any glaring issues. Everything is practically solid. I will say that there was at least one moment of inconsistency in this story in comparison to the original Watchmen, but it didn’t actually detract from the story at all. J. Michael Straczynski understands this character - so much that I might have though it was Alan Moore, himself, penning the tale. I also want to give special praise to artist Adam Hughes in regard to some of the creative liberties he took - especially in the final chapter. Honestly amazing.
This “prequel” to the Watchmen is not only a Sci-Fi nerd’s dream, but it’s also a very emotionally engaging experience that, much like Watchmen, I recommend anyone read.
My rating: 10/10
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