Before The Watchmen Were The Watchmen

Who didn't see this coming?

The long awaited/dreaded Watchmen prequels have officially been announced. This summer, DC Entertainment will publish all-new stories expanding on the acclaimed Watchmen universe. The seven inter-connected prequel mini-series will build on the foundation of the original Watchmen, the bestselling graphic novel of all time. We are beyond the looking glass people. Check out more info and official covers after the break!
I talked about it on our podcast before but there is plenty of story-telling opportunity with this universe. The project has some amazing artists and writers who are perfectly suited to the project. Brian Azzarello on the Rorschach series is an inspiring force in the comic book world, and if you've ever read 100 Bullets you'll know what I mean. Will it be good? More than likely. Will it match the original? Not likely. Watchmen is like the bible for comic book fans with messages and subtext that still run true to this day. Nerds will be up in arms about this and whilst I'll be approching with a nervous curiosity lets remember that the bible had the old and new testament. A bit of a stretch but whatever!

Before Watchmen currently includes:

-Rorschach (4 issues) – Writer: Brian Azzarello ( 100 Bullets) Artist: Lee Bermejo (Joker )

-Minutemen (6 issues) – Writer/Artist: Darwyn Cooke (Justice League: New Frontier )

-Comedian (6 issues) – Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: J.G. Jones (Final Crisis )

-Dr. Manhattan (4 issues) – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski (Superman: Earth One) Artist: Adam Hughes (Catwoman)

-Nite Owl (4 issues) – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artists: Andy (Flashpoint ) and Joe Kubert (Sgt, Rock )

-Ozymandias (6 issues) – Writer: Len Wein (Swamp Thing ) Artist: Jae Lee (Batman: Jekyll And Hyde )

-Silk Spectre (4 issues) – Writer: Darwyn Cooke Artist: Amanda Conner (Power Girl )

Each week, a new issue will be released, and will feature a two-page back-up story called Curse Of The Crimson Corsair, written by original series editor Len Wein and with art by original series colorist John Higgins. There will also be a single issue, Before Watchmen: Epilogue featuring the work of various writers and artists, and a Crimson Corsair story by Wein and Higgins. Before Watchmen will be the collective banner for all seven titles, from DC Comics.

(Via)