Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre #1 Review


Silk Spectre #1 is the second release in “Before Watchmen”, and it further highlights the consideration and respect the company is putting into this event. Here’s DC’s official description (which is really just a quote from the issue):

“Oh sweetie, you’re too young to hate. Wait until you’re older and the world gives you a good reason. Trust me, it won’t let you down.”

Plus: Don’t miss the CRIMSON CORSAIR backup story by writer LEN WEIN and artist JOHN HIGGINS!

As with last week’s Minutemen #1, Darwyn Cooke proves his excellent grasp of the Watchmen universe. My favorite thing about this issue is how intimate it is. It’s not overly concerned with history or Vietnam or any of the politics that come into play down the road (although I’m sure that will change in later issues); it’s just about an interesting episode in the life of Laurie Juspeczyk.

In Watchmen, we heard, and briefly saw, Laurie’s terrible love/hate relationship with her mother, but here that dynamic is brought into the limelight. Cooke and Amanda Conner (who both co-writes and draws) never lose an opportunity to underline what a terrible, misguided mother Sally is. The most telling moment comes when Sally, moments after hitting Laurie as part of her “training”, panics over a small scratch that could potentially scar her daughter’s face.

My only complaint with this issue is a scene where Laurie gets in a fight. Music is supposed to be playing in the background, and even though there’s no dialogue from our characters, the mix of song lyrics and fight noises turns into an unreadable mess.

Amanda Conner’s art may be even better than the writing. The entire book is laid out in the nine panel format used by Dave Gibbons in the original series, with occasional variations. Conner’s background details are amazing (I’ve read it twice and I’m still noticing things), her depiction of Laurie’s mother as just past her prime is perfect, and the intermittent shifts in style to depict Laurie’s thoughts are hilarious.

I’ve never read Archie, but Silk Spectre #1 is what I imagine Archie would feel like, if it were to realistically depict how terrible people can be.

Silk Spectre #1 is excellent. If “Before Watchmen” can keep up the level of quality we’ve seen so far, the only people who will be disappointed are those who won’t be pleased, ever.

4.5/5

 

S#!T Talking Central

  • Steve Lemlek

    I’ve always been a naysayer when it comes to the Watchmen brand.

    I like the original book, but i don’t think it deserves all the hype that surrounds it.

    These books, however, look promising.