Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre #2

This is my favorite Before Watchmen book. Action and innocence done believably. It doesn't have the taint of doom hanging over it that some of the other B.W. books have. And, again, I see Edgar nominations in this book's future. Highest possible recommendation! Read Full Review

Although the threat of mind control through '60s rock and roll seems a little too comic book-ish, it doesn't derail the story at all. In fact, all the tastes are well-balanced as this book gives the reader equal parts action, love and coming of age. Read Full Review

This issue felt long in the best of ways. The plot was allowed to develop and pull us into the situation with Laurie and I loved that. This was a great read and now more than ever I need to get my hands on the DC statutte of Laurie shown at comic con. Hey wait, did this comic just make me want to buy something? Maybe the pages are laced with that specially formulated LSD. *GULP. Read Full Review

Lots of fun, very enjoyable, and a real blast from the past. Read Full Review

The book is absolutely bonkers. You have to wonder if Cooke and Conner, themselves, hit the sauce or the pipe a little bit to piece this whole thing together, but it's so far outside the expectation of Watchmen that it works. The story and art has everything from the bizarre to the straight-laced and from sweet to flat out sexy. It's not at all like the other books of this event, but maybe that's why I have such a soft spot for it. Read Full Review

And I really hope they eventually do something together that's NOT a Watchmen spinoff. I'd like to take the guilt out of this pleasure. Read Full Review

Silk Spectre arguably had the most potential of the Before Watchmen books, and so far Cooke and Conner are realizing that potential. Read Full Review

Overall,Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre #2 maintains the high quality we saw in the first issue. On a panel-by-panel basis, the writing is fantastic, although the story arc as a whole slips. Final note: I'm finding it harder and harder to reconcile the predominantly cheerful teenage Laurie, with the lost, jaded adult we meet later. We can always chalk the disparity up as a case of "people change," but I really hope Cooke and Conner address the personality shift before the series' end. Read Full Review

An improving story line and better artwork are starting to lift this issue a little higher. It will be interesting to see if we get a Nite Owl or Doctor Manhattan crossover in the coming months. Read Full Review

Even though I object to this Watchmen prequel business as a whole I can't deny some of the issues have been entertaining and even intelligent; Silk Spectre is turning into one of those. Read Full Review

This is the first issue of Before Watchmen that I felt has broken away from the original work. We are getting a solid adventure for one of the characters that doesn't constantly draw on weaving the story into the original one. This comic book is a completely different adventure and it is an entertaining one. You get your money's worth from the art alone, but this one has a good little story in it as well. I can't wait to see how this one ends up. Read Full Review

Alan Moore may have rejected this series, and perhaps rightfully so, but his ideals remain intact in this issue. Read Full Review

The story might have some faults, but Amanda Conner's art is beautiful. She sticks to the nine panel set up more than the previous issue, and uses it perfectly. The few fight scenes gain the most from the structure, and never feel cramped. Like the script, the surroundings feel like the times, but never feel gimmicky or clich. Read Full Review

My biggest problem with the Before Watchmen reboot is that things sort of just happen rather than anything really building and falling into place. This book gives you a villain without you hating him and doesnt provide you with a reason to be completely bothered by him because you might not be sure who Laurie is going to be from one panel to the next. I really hope that subsequent issues of this series are a little more linear, if only to give Laurie a real direction for the rest of the series. I really enjoyed issue 1, but for anyone who was hoping for a strong continuation in the story may be a little disappointed with this chapter. Read Full Review

Storm Winterfyre

Mar 23, 2020

Writing-B+ Art-B- Story-C+ Verdict-B-