1986 was the year that changed comic books forever. That year saw the release of Frank Miller’s The Dark Night Returns and Alan Moore’s Watchmen. Both comics ushered in a darker, more mature tone that pitched heroes as flawed individuals, deconstructing the entire superhero genre. There have been numerous adaptations of both, but the latest to receive one in animated form is Watchmen, which arrives as a two-part R-rated series in August.
The news has been out there for years, but it was confirmed by Warner Bros. last year. Part one will arrive on August 13th, with part two some time in 2025.
If I remember correctly, the idea for this first emerged at San Diego Comic-Con, as fans continued to praise the animated sequences in Zack Snyder’s 2009 live-action Watchmen movie, which remains the most faithful adaptation.
Most recently, Damon Lindelof created a Watchmen sequel series that premiered on HBO and earned 26 Emmy nominations.
Watchmen takes place in a dark, dystopian alternate version of the world in 1985. With the Cold War at its height, a group of retired superheroes reunites to investigate the murder of one of their own, uncovering a deadly conspiracy.
Check out the trailer for Watchmen below!
