By: Russ Burlingame on February 1, 2012
While the writers of the various Before Watchmen books were deployed by DC this morning to do exclusive interviews with a variety of media outlets, the artists have been largely silent so far. The notable exception is Adam Hughes, the artist behind Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan, who didn’t conduct an interview but rather posted a lengthy and thoughtful defense of the project (inasmuch as it needs defending) and an explanation of his involvement in it.
Said Hughes,
“Well, the word is out: DC Comics is returning to the world of WATCHMEN! And I am drawing all four issues of the DOCTOR MANHATTAN miniseries. First sign of the Apocalypse? You bet!
It’s great to finally be able to talk about this project. I signed on AGES ago, and have kept mum about it, until now!
WATCHMEN is arguably the greatest superhero comic ever produced, and without a doubt my absolute favorite. Being allowed to draw these amazing characters isn’t actually a dream come true: I never thought something like this would happen. I’m pretty nervous, but having fun so far.
My history with WATCHMEN goes way back. In 1986 I was working at Thunder Road Comics in Burlington, New Jersey, and I sold every issue of WATCHMEN as they came out. It was a pretty amazing time: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS was also shipping, so superhero comics were enjoying a banner year. The mullets, parachute pants, and New Coke made up for it, though. YIKES.
Several years back, I was one of the first artists to contribute designs to Zack Snyder’s film adaption of WATCHMEN. I mean, I only worked on the film for, like, eight minutes, but I cast a long shadow! Did you like Silk Spectre in latex? That was ALL ME. That’s right – I’m preening!
So, you see, I have some strange sort of orbital relationship to WATCHMEN. I feel pretty honored to be working it. I’m looking forward to drawing all these characters. Yes, DOCTOR MANHATTAN is an unusual choice to assign me to, but I’m assured that DC has a plan! Maybe they believe that, since I’m well-associated with drawing female anatomy, I’m qualified to handle blue penises. Wait… that doesn’t sound right…
I love Alan Moore’s canon of work, with special affection for MIRACLEMAN, THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN, and most definitely WATCHMEN. I hope to do some sort of justice to Dave Gibbon’s brilliant art: he’s one of the all time great illustrators ever to work in the field of comics, and I have a serious case of “My LAST boyfriend was a porn star!” performance anxiety when it comes to bringing his beloved characters to life. I’ve only met Dave twice: he was drunk both times, and holding an award both times as well (I’d celebrate, too, if I won awards). I hope that if I get to see him again, we’ll manage a congenial hat trick of insobriety, and that he doesn’t go all ‘soccer hooligan’ on my ass. ”Those are MY characters, you apocalyptically colonial wanker!!”
I’m fairly stoked to be working with the fabulous J.M. Straczynksi. I loved his THOR run, especially. The man knows how to craft amazing tales, so I feel like you & I are in good hands.
So! I should get back to drawing Dr. Osterman, in all his phosphorescent azure glory: this miniseries has to ship in summer 2012, and no one will ever accuse me of being fast.”
