Tag Archives: Watchmen

Watchmen prequels anger pretty much everyone

Did you hear about how DC Comics is launching a new series of “Watchmen” prequels based on the iconic 80s graphic novel? They are, and pretty much every comicbook nerd worthy of the name nerd is upset about it. You can read about it on Wired and then once you get the lay of the land, head on over to The Wall Street Journal and read Why The New ‘Watchmen’ Can’t Turn Back the Clock”, which is a really thoughtful piece about the enterprise, including this:

“Let’s not be angry about this, let’s be sad and maybe a bit worried. The Watchmen graphic novel will stay its brilliant, doom-laden, intricate heartbreaking self. The future of superhero comics, however, is much less certain.”

When Warner Brothers friends Facebook, it could mean awesome for everybody

Yesterday, Jon sent me a link to an article about how Warner Brothers is teaming up with Facebook for the DVD release of “Watchmen.”

He summed it up like this, “Basically, it seems like with the internet connectivity of BD-Live, Warner is partnering with Facebook to coordinate screenings, special features, etc. It’s a cool way of bringing social media to consumer appliances and moving away from the personal computer.”

I read the article and thought, “Huh, I should tweet that or something.” But then, as is the way with fickle, ADD-afflicted bloggers I was distracted by something like My Life is Average or Awkward Family Photos and wholly forgot about the topic.

Until today when I began annoying everyone with a tweet-off of “Heathers” movie quotes with @winnerbowzer (sorry for that, I lose all control when it comes to late-80s dark comedies).

It was then it struck me how awesome it would be to pop in a DVD, and hook up with someone on Facebook or Twitter, or whathaveyou and talk about the movie. Especially if the DVD encouraged the watcher to do these things. After the Republican and Democratic conventions last year, I discovered how watching an even like that while using social media, is not just fun but really educational.

The idea that we could experience the media we choose (that’s not a time-sensitive event e.g. Superbowl, elections) with our social media buddies is some kind of awesome. Especially if it’s done up right, with nice design and fancy branding. If there had been a sort of Heathersesque chatroom/social media experience, I’d have been there today.

Plus, because this is how my mind works, I think of all the advertising/marketing implications. DVDs could have some sort of Willy Wonkaesque golden tickets that allow you special access to chats with stars/directors/writers. DVD releases could become premiere-y events, with people logging in to watch/experience the movie with the cast. How fun would it be to watch The Goonies while trading quips with the dude who played Chunk? More fun than the law should allow.