Before Watchmen: Rorschach #1

I know some comic book fans consider these books to be comic book blasphemy and reading them makes you some sort of comic book heretic, but this book was awesome. This is the Before Watchmen book we've all been waiting for and wanted to read. This book not only has a great creative team, but they work so well together and they do this character and the Watchmen world justice. The story is great, and this is the book you'll want to read, if you've ever read Watchmen before. Read Full Review

Even better, Bermejo's art is spectacular, verging on the line between slightly cartoony and heavy realism. Everything looks beautiful in the way he's draws the panels. Unlike with Joker, Bermejo relies solely on his own inks instead of Mick Gray's, which gives the book an even keel, and keeps the style realistic . So pick up Rorschach. I beg you. This just might be the start of an amazing series. Hurm. Read Full Review

If you thought this character was intense in Watchmen, you ain't seen nothing yet! Powerful, moving and mature. This is must read comics! Read Full Review

Before Watchmen: Rorschach is one of the best first issues of the entire run, and with next week's Dr. Manhattan series being the last to debut, it will be a while before you read anything on SuperHeroHype about the prequel series, but rest assured we've got more to say. While you wait though, go read this Rorschach book, it's damn good. Read Full Review

This isn't a story for everyone - it's gruesome. But it's true to the character and his original appearance, so most fans will love it. Read Full Review

Lee Bermejos art really made Rorschach #1 an instant page-turner. His dark, hyperrealistic style is perfect for Rorschachs story; it really enhances the 1970s noir feel. Bermejo and colorist Barbara Ciardo make a spectacular team when it comes to textures. Rorschachs trench coat is beautifully creased and draped. Everyones skin seems to glow realistically, whether theyre lit by TV screens or street lamps. And if the first villain in Rorschachs story is going to be someone who carves into peoples bodies, the art needs to be graphic. The main thing that will keep me hooked onto Before Watchmen: Rorschach is the artwork. Rorschach is perhaps my favorite Watchmen character. After Ozymandias, I think his story is the strongest.  Read Full Review

On the whole, this was the best Before Watchmen book, cant wait for the next issue. Read Full Review

Lee Bermejo has an eerie ability to make darkness and despair look beautiful and is the icing on the cake of this gritty title. Read Full Review

Before Watchmen: Rorschach delivers exactly what you'd expect when this creative team pairs up for this particular character. It doesn't break new storytelling ground, but it offers an enjoyable read that doesn't rely overly much on material we've read before. If any Before Watchmen book could be read and enjoyed with no knowledge of the original Watchmen, it's probably this one. Read Full Review

After reading Before Watchmen Rorschach#1, I'd say that this is another series that fans of the original series need to read. Read Full Review

My biggest concern when this whole concept was first announced was if the creators would be able to make their stories feel like legitimate adventures that predate the original Watchmen mini-series or if they would come across as cheap imitations or, even worse, as parodies. I am very pleased with the start of the Rorschach series and feel as though any fan of Watchmen will be pleased as well. Read Full Review

Rorschach#1 set up the playing field, dropped a few hints about what's to come (and I have to say, seeing two familiar detective again was great) and it looked glorious while doing so. It's a solid first issue for sure and I'm certain that this title is one that is going to work better the further we travel into the tale. DC did well leaving this issue to so late, just to build up a second wave of excitement for these prequels but personally I came away a tiny bit underwhelmed. Dr. Manhattan teleports in next week and something about meeting up with the blue guy again has got me really excited. Read Full Review

Overall, Before Watchmen: Rorschach #1 is a worthy title with the Watchmen name. It's a little disappointing if you're expecting revelations from Rorschach and the Watchmen world around him, but if you want simply a Rorschach mystery, this comic will satisfy. Read Full Review

I think I'll end this review with this… If you look at Azzarello's ability to tell the gritty noir style crime story and Bermejo's spectacular art, it's fantastic. Beyond that, it's up to you to figure out how much you like the narration. Read Full Review

The Watchmen began as analogues for the Charlton heroes, and Azzarello and Bermejo really drive that point home. Sure, Rorschach's mask goes through the trademark metamorphoses, but the essence of the character and the battle he fights rings true to the source material. I'm certain the creative duo will add more distinguishing factors to Rorschach as this story progresses, and given the level I enjoyed "Before Watchmen: Rorschach" #1, I just might be back for more. Read Full Review

Original Watchmen artist and co-creator Dave Gibbons boasts a clean style that really allowed the Rorschach mask to pop. Bermejo's much more realistic approach doesn't seem like a good fit for Rorschach's "face." Gibbons's simpler take emphasized an inhuman quality, whereas the nuances and texture of Bermejo's depiction here allows the vigilante's true features to come through the mask. Still, the detail and darkness on display throughout the issue really brings the ugliness of everything Rorschach detests to life. The likenesses of the characters are nicely consistent with Gibbons's depictions from the source material as well. Read Full Review

The thing that's holding back Before Watchmen: Rorschach isn't so much technique or execution, but direction. This is an inkblot test that has no answer, which is certainly a change of pace from the philosopher vigilante that ignited everyone's imagination back in 1986. Does it add to Walter Kovacs' myth? Not quite, and the reunion factor alone will probably not be enough for purists. But based on sheer looks, I'm willing to stay on board for a second chance. Read Full Review

The reason to pick up this book is the artwork. The story feels like any super hero character could be in Rorschach's place and we would have the same story. At the same time, much of actions that Rorschach takes don't feel like they fit in with the character. However, the book is a fun read and definitely takes me to the kind of story that I imagined but never saw while reading the original Watchmen. This is worth checking out. Read Full Review

Off to a solid start, even if it isn't anything new or insightful (yet) into Watchmen's most popular character, Before Watchmen: Rorschach #1 is one of the better Watchmen prequel first issues. Read Full Review

Azzarello stretches out plenty of scenes where nothing really occurs. While the numerous panels with minimal dialogue allows the reader time to marvel at Lee Bermejos amazing artwork, it also raises suspicion. If this protracted structure continues, it may indicate that this particular story doesnt have much more to offer subsequent issues. Read Full Review

I can't say that this is a must buy but for someone like me it was because I have been collecting all the other before the watchmen series. If you are enjoying the Before the Watchmen series as a whole then I would say pick this one up in your leisure otherwise pass. Read Full Review

In a sense, that's the problem of picking up characters who were built to exist in a closed loop: they are no longer the characters they once were, and that has been the Achilles heel in the Before Watchmen effort from the beginning, no matter how much talent has been brought to the table. Rorschach is worth it for the art alone, but I think that this would have worked better as a revival of The Question, or Mr. A, both characters with more flexible relationships to the outside world. Read Full Review

Overall, 'Rorschach' #1 is one of the best 'Before Watchmen' books that I've read, but looking at it as just another comic, it was okay. This stuff with The Bard is interesting enough to keep me reading, but otherwise it's like reading The Question or The Punisher. Read Full Review

After a long wait and a lot of anticipation, I feel very disappointed with what has been put out. For most of the story I felt like I was reading a C grade crime story, and the rest of the time I was re-reading the old Watchmen novel. Good art has saved this issue from hitting the skids, but won't be able to keep it afloat for all 4 issues. Read Full Review

If there was one reason to get this book, it's to support the beautiful work done by Lee Bermejo. There is nothing else really groundbreaking here for a seasoned, comic book reader. Read Full Review

While a fun story, the lackluster art and indifference towards Alan Moore’s original work makes Rorschach #1 little more than a money shill. Read Full Review

Brian: And I can almost guarantee another poop dollar next week, when the great Adam Hughes tries to make sense of another JMS script. We'll be back for next week's debacle, and we hope you will be too! Read Full Review

Aquagirlforever

Jun 13, 2018

This is a FANTASTIC piece of excellence.......and I just want, no, NEED to say that Barbara Ciardo's colors never fail.....the woman is a color GENIUS like no other.....well, Lee is amazing as well....BUT BARBARA ROCKS!!!!!!....God bless her and that fabulous team of artists RIGHT THERE! #1 Buy it, #2. read it, #3 love it....then repeat #2 -#3

Storm Winterfyre

Oct 26, 2020

Cover-🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Writing-🌟🌟🌟 Art-🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Plot-🌟🌟🌟