Stupid Idea Of The Week: Plans For ‘Watchmen 2′ Comics Could be Reality

This might just be the stupidest idea ever, not just the week. ‘Watchmen’, a graphic novel that is considered one of the greatest pieces of literary fiction of all time, could be getting sequels and prequels without the involvement of original author Alan Moore.

Bleeding Cool has the full scoop and the history behind the whole saga which goes like this: The graphic novel by DC Comics recently became their highest selling publication of all time due to the release of the film. DC Comics Publisher and President Paul Levitz personally made sure no sequels or spin-offs were made to the graphic novel just for financial purposes and helped protect the work of writers Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. There’s a problem though – he recently stepped down from his post.

So what now? SVP-Executive Editor Dan DiDio has very different plans. He not only is aiming to make sequels, but ongoing individual prequels and spin-offs to keep the money machine spinning. This is one important excerpt:

I understand that both Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons have to be offered first refusal before any of these titles could be published. But if they don’t want to work on them themselves (and Alan Moore is never going to agree), DiDio has been sounding out people who might be willing to take on the task. While some creators are reticent, the argument goes if there are a number of Watchmen spinoff projects, any blame or shame can be spread on many shoulders. The sales are expected to be massive, whatever the hardcore fanboy reaction and such expected sales benefits will be shared amongst the creative teams.

Now Alan Moore has been known for being Anti-Hollywood and never has his name associated to any film adaptation of his works and is very protective of the original work. He would never agree to this, but seems like DC will still churn something out one way or the other.

Personally, it’s very disappointing that this is being done. Watchmen is one of the best pieces of fiction I’ve ever read and anyone who wants to see superheroes in a very new light has to read it. The movie might not have been everyone’s cup of tea, but the original novel is universally praised. Why mess up something that isn’t broken? Money, of course.

Even though I really hope this doesn’t pull through, I have a sinking feeling it will.