This book is exactly what I have been wanting and waiting for from the ‘Before Watchmen’ books. Len Wein and Jae Lee did not disappoint here and this one truly excels above the others.
Let me start by saying Jae Lee’s artwork is phenomenal here. The way he shapes his panels much like they were in the original ‘Watchmen’ series using circles and rectangles really makes his art have this classic feel that was definitely needed in a book like this.
I love Len Wein’s pacing as well. The story doesn’t drag its feet but it also doesn’t rush through things too fast. Wein touches on elements of the characters history that are hardly new to us but expands upon them and adds new interesting pieces to them. The books tone makes it hard for you to feel sympathetic for Veidt at the end of it…but it somewhat feels like thats the point.
This book won’t be for everybody. That one is for sure. But I think that it is really well done and so far is my favorite of all of the ‘Before Watchmen’ issues that I have read so far. Do yourself a favor and check it out if not for Jae Lee’s art alone.
My rating: 4/5