Artwork from my favorite comic book ever

Watching the Watchmen – Dave Gibbons, Chip Kidd, Mike Essl (2008)

            

           The Watchmen is a comic book written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons.  It is maybe the single greatest work of superhero literature I have ever read, and I re-read it every few years, always finding new details and connections.

            Alan Moore is one of the best writers for comics around.  He treats his subjects with so much skill, does so much research, that it really takes an artist like Gibbons to bring the dense, inventive storylines to visual life.  This book is basically a collection of sketchbook work, preparatory drawings, and final artwork for the 12-issue series.  Everything from pen and ink sketches of main characters to the trial and error of preparing finished pages is included.

Here is how I would have drawn Dr. Manhattan

 

            For an art lover like me, it is invaluable!  To see into the mind of Mr. Gibbons is amazing.  While his finished artwork bristles with detail, resonance, and expertly framed images, the sketches expose the vitality of his art.  For anyone who has read Watchmen, (and if you have only seen the film, please do yourself a favor and read the comic), this book is a fantastic supplement.

( For the Watchmen entry from the Critical Survey of Graphic Novels click here: http://salempress.com/store/pdfs/watchmen_ebook.pdf )