Watchmen prequels: Full list unveiled

The Comedian will laugh again. After hints were bandied about online, DC Comics unveiled the full list of prequels to the popular Watchmen comic series, a limited series from 1986-1987. While fans seemed to rejoice about diving further into the lives of the series’ dark heroes, the comic’s creator did not seem amused by the idea.

Creator Alan Moore has disassociated himself from DC Comics and called the prequels “completely shameless. ... What I want is for this not to happen,” he told the New York Times.

Others who have worked on the series were less dismissive. According to Wired, co-creator and original series artist Dave Gibbons declined to participate, but gave his stamp of approval to the project.

“The original series of Watchmen is the complete story that Alan Moore and I wanted to tell. However, I appreciate DC's reasons for this initiative and the wish of the artists and writers involved to pay tribute to our work. May these new additions have the success they desire.” Gibbons said.

According to the press release a new issue will be released each week, with a two-page back-up story called Curse of the Crimson Corsair, written by original series editor Len Wein and with art by original series colorist John Higgins. There will also be a separate Crimson Corsair issue (pictured above).

Here's the full list of the new comics:

BEFORE WATCHMEN includes:

RORSCHACH (4 issues) – Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: Lee Bermejo

MINUTEMEN (6 issues) – Writer/Artist: Darwyn Cooke

COMEDIAN (6 issues) – Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: J.G. Jones

DR. MANHATTAN (4 issues) – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artist: Adam Hughes

NITE OWL (4 issues) – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artists: Andy and Joe Kubert

OZYMANDIAS (6 issues) – Writer: Len Wein. Artist: Jae Lee

SILK SPECTRE (4 issues) – Writer: Darwyn Cooke. Artist: Amanda Conner