Minutemen #1 Review
“Chapter One: Eight Minutes”
It’s been a little over two decades since the legendary Watchman hit store shelves and shook the comic book world from the ground up. Now DC has the difficult task of following up a comic book that was thought could never be followed, or even matched for that matter. So, tasked over the next few months, the “Before Watchmen” series of books will have the opportunity to sink or float. The first book to jump into the freezing cold waters, Minutemen #1.
Minutemen #1 is narrated by Hollis Mason, the first Nite Owl, reminiscing his younger and not always better days as part of the crime fighting team, the Minutemen. All these memories brought on by his attempt at writing his yet to be famous autobiography, Under the Hood. This first issue is a shotgun of information to brain, revealing a quick and detailed formation of the Minutemen. Each team member’s story, from the first Nite Owl himself to Captain Metropolis, the logistical brains of the operation, are covered. Byron Lewis (Mothman) had the most frightening and incredible story, one that left me breathless thinking about the actual “living” portion of a life. It was a very eye opening experience to say the least.
I’m pleased to say that Minutemen #1 is a worthy prequel to the Watchmen franchise. Darwyn Cooke‘s writing fits the dark and surreal feel we’ve come to expect from Watchmen. His art, while not being similar to the first Watchmen, is great and has a very dark animated super hero look to it, much like the Emmy Award winning Batman: The Animated Series. But can you really match or even use the Watchmen art? The art is from the late 1980’s, while being classic, it has to remain just that, classic. I’m glad Darwyn Cooke took a hold of the reigns and went in the direction he did. While still remaining in the Watchman universe, Minutemen #1 managed to come out with it’s own voice ready to be heard and loved by the masses.
More reviews from Burke can be found at nerdfarmblog.com. Cosmic Comics! in celebration of the “Before Watchmen” series has put all of their Watchmen collections on sale for 50% off. Head down there today and #getyourfix because those collections and Minutemen #1 will not last!
[…] Before Watchmen: Minutemen #1, written and illustrated by Darwyn Cooke (who did an awesome run on The Spirit) is the first Before Watchmen title to be released. […]