On Feb. 1, DC Comics revealed that they are rebooting the venerable Watchmen franchise with a series of prequel graphic novels based on each iconic lead character, called Before Watchmen. Recruiting some of the industry’s best writers and artists, it is the long-awaited expansion of the graphic novel that changed an industry forever.

Named one of Time magazine’s 100 best English language novels, Watchmen (1986) was a watershed moment in the comic world. Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons crafted a macabre story in which superheroes struggle to find relevance in a world undeserving to be saved. Moore’s story is wrought with existential themes and complex characters, steeped in Cold War paranoia and delivered through Gibbons’ (and colourist John Higgins’) distinctive artistry.

Ever since the original book’s success however, contract disputes between the creators and DC left Moore and Gibbon’s far removed from the property, with Moore being the most public with his contempt regarding the fallout.

Fast-forward to 2009. DC’s darling was out of Moore and Gibbons’ hands, and Zack Snyder’s film interpretation of Watchmen (which suffered its own stretch of development hell) finally came out to mixed reviews. Moore publicly disowned the movie project, stating that Watchmen was “inherently unfilmable” and subsequently had his name removed from the credits.

Judging by his comments in a New York Times interview about the announcement of Before Watchmen, Moore is as unhappy about DC’s handling of Watchmen as ever.

“I tend to take this latest development as a kind of eager confirmation that they are still apparently dependent on ideas that I had 25 years ago,” said Moore.

He added: “As far as I know, there weren’t any sequels or prequels to Moby Dick.”

Regardless of Moore’s feelings, expect the Before Watchmen books to drop later this year. With the impressive pedigree attached to the project, like Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo, there is plenty to be excited about, but remember that somewhere, the father of the Watchmen universe is grumbling.

While it may ultimately prove to be inconsequential in terms of quality and sales, the fight between Alan Moore and DC is an unfortunate backdrop to the revitalization of these beloved iconic characters.

Or perhaps Watchmen is just too timeless of a story. Perhaps even Moore himself should not be allowed to let his own creation — one that has resonated with millions of readers — be buried in the past.

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Image: Supplied