I'd like to take a few moments to talk about Watchmen, if I may.

In case you don't know, Watchmen is a seminal graphic novel by comic-book genius/madman Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons. It's one of the best-received graphic novels of all time and the only title of that medium to be included in Time magazine's 100 best novels since 1923.

The story is told in an alternate history 1980s United States; a decidedly more conservative world where America triumphed in Vietnam and no civil rights or social movements of the 1960s ever took place. It begins as a murder mystery when it is discovered that a man recently thrown from his apartment window is in fact a former superhero. As the facts unravel, the characters' pasts are revealed and a conspiracy unravels that changes the face of their Earth forever.

Watchmen is a dark, gritty superhero story which pulls its heroes down off the pedestal, presenting them as mortal and fallible. I only introduced myself to the work recently, as it was announced this year that there would be a movie adaptation of the story. The movie itself will be quite controversial in comic circles, mostly due to the fact that Alan Moore is fairly pissed off that the studios have screwed up most of his other movies, such as League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and From Hell (and although V for Vendetta was fairly-received, die-hard fans will tell you it didn't measure up to the original). I however, am waiting with great anticipation to see Watchmen come alive on the screen.

If you haven't read Watchmen, I storngly recommend that you do. Even if you aren't a comics aficionado, this story will impress you. It's had a recent boost in popularity and is very easy to find on main displays in major bookstores.

P.S. - The latest trailer is also very nice.