Skip to content

Comic Review: BEFORE WATCHMEN – OZYMANDIAS / CRIMSON CORSAIR

Written By:

Ed Fortune
before-watchmenozymandias-crimson-corsair-review

Review: Before Watchmen – Ozymandias/Crimson Corsair / Author: Len Wein / Artist: Jae Lee, John Higgins / Publisher: DC Comics/ Release Date: Out Now

DC’s Before Watchmen series only really works when it adds to the original series in some way. Of the three character stories in this book, only the first one, Ozymandias, comes even close. This story is drawn is a classic Art Deco style that feels as if it’s been torn out of the pages of a 1960s Boy’s Own adventure, specifically one about Alexander the Great. Though the plot line isn’t terribly clever, comic book legend Len Wein really gets a feel for the arrogant hero, and the first person narration from the self-titled world’s smartest man is a real treat. Sadly, the other tales aren’t as good.

The second story is inspired by the pirate comic book that makes a sub-story in the original Watchmen graphic novel. But whereas there it works as a elaborate metaphor for the ongoing narrative, Curse of the Crimson Corsair is a sub-par nautical horror story of the sort that was old and clichéd before Pirates of the Carribean got their hands on it. The art is okay; Higgins does bloody very well and he apes the style of the old school EC comics quite well, but like the undead pirates in the story, its soulless and foul.

We also get a short story about the hapless hero Dollar Bill, which wraps the collection up nicely, but adds nothing to the mythos of the Watchmen. This collection is okay, but Before Watchmen: Ozymandias / Crimson Corsair feels like a bit of an afterthought, and is perhaps only of interest to collectors of the series.

Ed Fortune

You May Also Like...

black widow star scarlett johansson in talks to lead new universal jurassic world film

Scarlett Johansson In Talks To Join JURASSIC WORLD Film

Another MCU star appears to be taking up the reins for Universal’s new Jurassic World movie: two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to lead the franchise that
Read More

Exclusive Reveal! Titan Comics to Deliver Prehistoric Hysterics in First 2 DUMB DINOS Collection

Titan Comics have exclusively revealed to STARBURST that they’re gearing up to publish the first-ever collection of the hilarious cult digital comic strip 2 Dumb Dinos, and we’re not the
Read More

New Dates For Lovecraftian Key of Dreams

Key of Dreams has announced new spaces for its titular immersive luxury horror event. The critically acclaimed company is known for its overnight experiences that dunk you into a strange
Read More

FAB Café to Host Free Film Screening of New Indie Comedy SECRETS OF A WALLABY BOY

We’re well known for our championing of truly independent filmmakers here at STARBURST, so it’s doubly exciting to be writing about one of our own! After joining the crew in
Read More
colin farrell returns as oswald cobblepot in the penguin series trailer

Colin Farrell Returns In THE PENGUIN Trailer

Colin Farrell returns as Gotham City’s answer to Tony Soprano in the first trailer for Max series The Penguin, which spins out of the world of the 2022 DC film
Read More
michael keaton as beetlejuice in beetlejuice 2 trailer

First Look At Jenna Ortega In BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE Trailer

Almost 40 years down the road, the infamous bio-exorcist finally returns in the first trailer for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, a sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 cult classic film. Jenna Ortega (Wednesday,
Read More