Before Watchmen: Comedian #1

When DC first announced all the Before Watchmen mini-series the one that most intrigued me was the Comedian. I was very curious how they were going to market the murdering, attempted rapist psychopath, Eddie Blake. Would they attempt to play him up as an anti-hero blaming circumstances on his violent tendencies somehow endearing him to the readers? Or would it simply be a blood soaked tale?

 Instead of the brutal, sadistic tale I thought I was about to read, writer Brian Azzarello, gives us a pretty tame debut. Sure there are some unsettling moments such as when Blake gives a recent murder victim a little kiss on the derriere but for the most part this was not the Comedian story I was expecting. I’m sure things will pick up as the series progresses but for all the controversy Before Watchmen has caused I feel each series really had to open up very strong which this definitely does not.

My feeling is that after I was finished reading this I should’ve known I just read a story about the Comedian. In reality you could’ve put a plethora of different characters in the title role and the story would’ve come out the same way. The Comedian should not be interchangeable with Punisher! The story was too generic and I think that alone cheapens Alan Moore’s creation.

Visually this issue does a great job capturing the time period. The dull colors of Alex Sinclair give the whole issue the desired dated look. The artwork is handled by J.G. Jones. His depiction of the Kennedys is spot on and his 4 page action sequence is the definite highlight of the issue.

Overall this was a very disappointing. I really can’t even see much potential in it. It really just comes off as your everyday run-of-the-mill political thriller. I’m not saying it’s terrible it’s just not original enough to merit the Comedian.