Watchmen (Absolute Edition) Hardcover – Deluxe Edition, October 5, 2005

This is the review for the DC Modern Classics slipcase version.I'm primarily reviewing the packaging here as most of you will be already familiar with Watchmen. The slipcase and book fit together like a glove! It felt very satisfying to let the book slowly slide out of it's shell making an air-whooshing "ffft" sound. It's kept nice and simple. One book with the entire series. The cover of the book and slipcase are a very pleasurable "soft" feeling sort of coating. I'm sure there's a name for it (possibly Neenah Touché?) that makes holding the book wonderful. The pages inside are also very satisfying: almost a synthetic paper, which makes me think it is similar to Yupo paper. The pages are smooth and of high quality, yet can somehow feel and sound like leathery old parchment at the same time. As each "chapter" is divided appropriately by the original issues, the pages that separate each volume are only slightly thicker stock. Basically what you'd have on the cover of a magazine. All pages are stitched together for extra durability. A+ on the choice of materials!The quality of the artwork and printing is great. I never knew anything about this comic until recently and decided to jump on the wagon and see what it was all about. I did a brief search and decided I only wanted the comic/story and did not need all the extras that are offered in some other editions. DC did good with this first volume and hopefully all subsequent releases will have the same attention to detail.As for the story and characters, I am about a third of the way through and I'm finding it quite interesting. My exposure to graphic novels is limited, but the panels definitely have a cinematic flow to them. Some of the superhero dressing up in costumes and the big blue dude get a little comical at times, but if fantasy and comics are your thing, then give this a shot. The story itself is very interesting with many layers and characters.I'm giving this five stars based on the packaging and not the story content. That is up to the reader.

If you're reading this because you are considering picking up the Absolute Edition of the Watchmen Graphic Novel it's probably 'cause:A) You've already read it and are intrigued of the prospect of not only reading it in a special bigger and colorful edition, but to check out all the additions this edition has.B) You want to read it for the first time and you bump into this edition by mere coincidence.So let me tell ya that if you're here because A it's truth then you need no more convincing, Watchmen is one of the greatest -if no the greatest- story ever told in the graphic novel medium and this edition is for anyone who loves Watchmen and likes comic books. This edition it's printed in a beautiful paper with enhanced colors which makes the pencils and inking look awesome, the size is also huge which makes it easier to read the lettering and appreciate the art in a way that the regular size does not.It's also got additional material which includes concept art, promotional art as well as covers and posters, pre-visualization of the characters and origin of the conception of them and words from the creators of the book: Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.To the people who answered B, suffice to say that this is a collectors item and I'd recommend it for people who have already read the book. It's not that you would not enjoy it as first time reader but Watchmen requires some insight and experience reading comic books or books in general to appreciative to the fullest and maybe you wouldn't like to spend the cost of the Absolute edition if you don't know what you're getting in to.What I'm saying is that if you are a casual comic book reader or checked the movie and wanna check Watchmen there are cheaper ways to do it but not as magnificent as experience as this. Watchmen is a masterpiece and you should definitely check it, just consider the facts to determine which to buy. Both have the entire graphic novel with the articles, and either way you get to read this great story one is more luxurious than the other one but equally riveting and compelling either way.