Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Before Watchmen: Comedian #1 of 6
DC Comics
Azzarello & Jones
Before Watchmen's next series debut features one of the more popular characters and the central figure in the original work's opening: The Comedian. This first issue is such a jarring departure from what we saw of The Comedian in the original work, both in the "present" time and during the flashbacks that I find it hard to believe Azzarello is going to be able to connect the two ends of his story with what already exists. The artwork is good and really owns the comic towards the end, but the opening of the book simply doesn't lend itself to the art's strengths. This book is going to be a difficult sell from this point forward, based on this offering.
The Comedian is a complicated character from the original work. If I had to briefly summarize him I would say he is jaded, tough and a criminal capable of doing kinder acts, though not a kind or thoughtful person. Obviously he is a much deeper character but based on his attempted rape as a teenager shows he was disturbed early on. Fast forward to his actions during the heroes meeting or his hideous act in Vietnam and things really didn't change much over the decades. The crying mess at the end of his life was the culmination of a lot of things over the course of his life. Here we get something in the middle that simply doesn't fit.
This book takes places during the early 1960s. The Comedian is jammed into the Kennedy presidency and their lives in such an awkward manner. There is a scene where he and Jackie Kennedy are basically disagreeing about whether the Comedian loves or simply respects the "Kennedy boys" that I was cringing while reading it. Add in that Azzarello portrays the entire lot as if they belong on the set of Mad Men simply didn't help. To twist the characters further, Jackie dispatches The Comedian to take care of Marilyn Monroe as if that's the only affair her husband is having as President. The entire book reads like a dirty version of Forrest Gump.
Towards the end The Comedian gets into character briefly, to take on an old enemy. These scenes were great and I felt like I was reading the character I envision from the original portrayal. However, that comes to a screeching halt at the end when his character is again stunted by his actions. I just don't understand how this version of the Comedian fits in.
The artwork is good when The Comedian takes action. The two pages with the car were excellent. Jones shows a tremendous awareness of how The Comedian would look and move when in a fight. The beginning of the book when The Comedian is grab-assing with the Kennedys is awful to read and to look at. Hopefully this series will stick more with action for Jones' sake.
This book has dug itself into a tremendous hole. I am anxious and hopeful that Azzarello can dig himself out of it. However, I am skeptical. If you are looking for a reason to hate Before Watchmen here is a good example. If you haven't read the original and are looking to get into Before Watchmen you might want to hold off on this one.
2 out of 5 Geek Goggles
