Steve Rude

I have to admit this book was probably the weakest out of the Before Watchmen volumes. The first bit with Ozymandias was probably the best one in this book. It was near perfect. Leading you to the murder of the Comedian. How the entire Watchmen mini-series began. The writing was surprisingly good and the artwork was really well done too. Then it all fell apart.

Now here is were it falls apart: with the Crimson Corsair segment. Not only did I not care for the art, but I didn't care for the story either. I felt like I was forced to get threw it. It was very boring and I really didn't see the need for it at all. Unlike the first watchmen series, this wasn't even a comic-book-with-in-a comic-book idea. It was more like a random side story that just didn't fit. I'll admit some parts were interesting, but a very predictable ending.

Thankfully the last one-shot with the Dollar Bill wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The artwork I didn't care for at all and yes the beginning was a little dull, but then it picked up as soon as he put on the Dollar Bill outfit. It was funnier then most of the Before Watchmen issues, but then again is death is a black comedy in the Watchmen Universe.

Overall I wouldn't get this volume unless you like me and just want to read the entire Before Watchmen experience because you just love the idea of Watchmen. However If you want to ignore the Crimson Corsair and Dollar Bill bits, I highly recommend just getting the Ozymandias' issues individually.… (meer)