Well I finally broke down and bought the graphic novel. I have seen the movie. (the theatrical not the director's cut) I just don't see the big deal. I really don't.

I liked the movie. I liked the graphic novel. I just did not really see the graphic novel as one of the all time best comics. I in fact think V for Vendetta was a better comic. Maybe all the hype just ruined it for me. I really just did not see how this was supposed to be something that changed comics forever.

Graphic Novel... I hated the art. Not really so much the art as the colors in said art. It reminded me of myself in art class as a child. Screw you teacher, I an doing a purple hippo. The story was cool up to a point. I really hated the black frieghter interuption throughout. I understand why it was there, just got annoying after a bit. The really big disappointment for me though was the ending. While I do think it is a unique idea... it just was really over the top for me. I guess if I can believe in super heroes, I can believe in that ending. I really hated it though. Kind of felt like a cop out "Star Trek" ending. You know the type... you build up a great story and then Wesley Crushers solves everything at the last minute just before the ship blows up. Why didn't they clone Wesley and put one on every ship anyway. Think of all the lives that could have been saved.

Back to the book. I did enjoy it. I do not regret the purchase. It was just not all that and a bag of chips to me. I do not count this as one of my influencial comics. I respect it's place in comics. I just don't really agree with that place.

The Movie... I liked the movie. Had I read the book first, I most likely would not have went and seen this. I am sure I would have watched it eventually, but I would not have seen it at the theater. That being said, I really did like the movie. I like the movie ending soooo much more than the book. Made more sense to me. It made the Dr. Manhatten character more heroic to me. If I had a complaint at all, it would be that the sets were not dark enough. I would have really tried harder to get the "shit hole" thing across. Maybe not lit the sets as much. I don't know... the sets really didn't set a mood for me.

I liked the costumes better in the movie as well. Really thought it followed the book well, but changed the things that really needed to be changed. Very glad the Black Freighter thing was left out. It was a distraction I really did not like in the book. The movie was long enough without that. I will say the length did not bother me. I didn't really notice until after the movie that it had been that long.

Now I know there are lots of hardcore fans out there that love this book and this movie. That is fine by me. I mean... I love Star Wars. All of it. Even those Ewok movies are on my shelf. I love Star Wars. I love Ed Wood movies. Everyone out there loves something that someone else hates. That is life.

I would say that this book and movie may not be for all. I think the book is worth a read. Maybe if you have a friend that owns it, they could let you check it out. See the movie. If you could sit through Daredevil.... you can sit through this. Maybe just ignore the hype and enjoy the movie.