Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan #1 Review

DC Comics
Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan #1 Review
By Andy Frisk
August 26, 2012 - 01:17

DC Comics
Writer(s): J. Michael Straczynski
Penciller(s): Adam Hughes
Inker(s): Adam Hughes
Colourist(s): Laura Martin
Letterer(s): Steve Wands
Cover Artist(s): Adam Huges
$2.99 US

Following Dr. Manhattan's non-linear train of thought, one that takes him on a trip back through his life and its many happenings, Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan #1 really only gets interesting at the end. If you've read Watchmen, then nearly everything that happens in this issue you already know, have read, and if you've seen the movie, saw brought to life on the big screen. There's a little insight into Hollis Mason/Nite Owl's state of mind near the end of his tenure as Nite Owl, and a scene where the teenage Jon Osterman passes up going out and having fun with a huge breasted blonde bombshell (an Adam Hughes staple) of a classmate because he has to finish fixing a watch first...but other than that, we'll have to wait for next issue for things to get interesting.

Speaking of Adam Hughes (notwithstanding his penchant for drawing huge breasted females in his books) the artwork of Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan #1 is superb. Hughes never fails to deliver a masterful visual treat when he takes on a project. His work here is no different.

Aside from the interesting ending, which sets up the rest of the series nicely, the only other thing interesting about Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan is its odd cover. Silk Spectre doesn't figure much into the story here in issue #1 so what's she doing on the cover? More importantly, what's up with Manhattan's positioning behind her and his grasp on her? It's almost like an inside joke that's not as subtle as it at first might seem. I'm sure that I'm not the only one that thinks this cover is odd...and slightly offensive in its suggestiveness, especially knowing the usual state of Manhattan's dress. Maybe that's what Silk Spectre standing in front of him is mean to hide...

Rating: 6/10