The Verse: A Brave New World Comes At Us

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-33JCGEGzwU

The highly anticipated “Watchmen” series from HBO is steadily approaching and with this recently released trailer, I have a few thoughts I wanted to share about this. Since the ending of Game of Thrones, HBO has been looking for that next big series to really fill in the vacuum left by the juggernaut of a show and fandom. I personally think Watchmen may be the successor to the Sunday night slot we all have been waiting for. They are setting themselves up for greatness and let me tell you, I can’t wait to see what this series brings to the table.

When the original graphic novel was released it was touted as turning the art form of comics on its ear and influencing story-telling from that point forward. With the build and teasing that this series has provided, I wouldn’t be too far off from saying that this cast is on track to do the same thing. Now, we have seen every form of superhero tales, from “Arrow” to “The Boys”, and every crazy iteration in between. But I feel as if this has a way of bringing new light into the narrative. This world the show is setting up is far from where we left off from in the comics, or even with the movie. We are thrown into a brewing war between law enforcement and this new terrorist group known only as “The 7th Calvary”. There are major callbacks but remixes to the meaning of things within this world. Originally the reason the Hero movement was started was there were a group of criminals dressing up as Pirates during crimes, so a few of the cops dressed up as well. But here, the officers wear the mask for protection and anonymity. With a strategic strike on the Tulsa Police Dept. in their homes, they are all protecting their families and identities. But, with everything that has happened with heroes, the people are still apprehensive to the idea of a person with a mask actually doing good.

There were two lines that really stood out to me from the trailers, this one, and the ComiCon Trailer. They both came from the FBI Agent and former Silk Spectre Laurie Blake, the first was in the ComiCon Trailer when she said to Regina King’s character “Do you know how to tell the difference between a cop in a mask and a vigilante?” The second was in the trailer above “People who wear masks are driven by trauma. They are obsessed with justice, because of some injustice they’ve suffered” The reason I say that this series has a chance to change the narrative is that it is a reconciliation with our fascination with heroes. As of late, we have been trying to humanize Super-beings and heroic figures. Find and expose their flaws, reveal the true nature of their character and present them as no better or noble than you or me. But this shows normal people put in an abnormal situation and we have to come to grips with our past experiences with heroes and realize these are not those people. But it has such an air about it that there are so many other things that lay just beneath the surface. Yes, we know that the intentions and actions of our main protagonist are in the right vein of justice. But there seems to be something that is not told to us. We don’t know who is actually in the right. But it will all unfold before our eyes.

I do want to take a minute out and genuinely geek out about Regina King’s character Detective Angela, they have been subtly dropping hints that she may be the keeper of the Night Owl mantle. No, she doesn’t put on the suit but if you look at everything involving her she drinks out of an owl mug in the station. Where she suits up looks oddly familiar to a certain abandoned subway that we have been before. She has gadgets that help her with investigations and can see through objects. The most major reveal was the Owl Ship is now the property of the Tulsa Police Department. I really want the backstory to how this came to be. Either she took up the mantle from Daniel (The previous Night Owl from the comics and movie) or after the events from the comic, Daniel started working with law enforcement all over the country and upgrading their equipment. Speaking of the country, did you peep that new flag that had way more than 50 stars. There are so many answers needed from this show about where we are in this current continuity.

Watchmen premieres October 20th, I most certainly will be tuning in every week to see how all of this goes down. But would you guys like to see weekly reviews of the series on the blog? Leave a comment below if you would. I am a huge fan of this universe so I will try my best to get back behind the keyboard and write more about my thoughts and keep you up to date with the news that comes out as we come closer to the first episode.