So, assuming you’ve been hiding under a rock or don’t actually pay attention to things that happen out in the world of American Superhero Comics (and, statistically speaking, there’s a damn good chance you don’t), DC Comics announced today that they would be doing a series of prequel comics to Watchmen. Lots of folks are outraged that a business would attempt to publish a comic based on characters they own the rights to in an effort to make some sort of profit. I get it. Really, I do. I understand how important a comic Watchmen is, I recognize how crazy ol’ wizard Alan Moore got royally screwed around by DC and refuses to have anything to do with them anymore (and even less to do with any movie made based on one of his creations. Then again, given the track record those films have had, I can’t say I necessarily blame him for that). I understand that this is the comic equivalent to someone coming along and doing Slaughterhouse IV: The Prequel. But is it as serious as all this? Not really. It’s just a comic book. And honestly, while a lot of it does nothing for me, there’s a couple being done by Darwyn Cooke (one of which features Amanda Conner art!). And a couple by Brian Azzarello (also, two written by JMS, but we’ll just ignore that). Honestly, that’s a list of creators (JMS excluded, of course) I’m willing to give the benefit of the doubt. Most of ’em are definitely creators who aren’t known for just taking money jobs, but rather for being comics people who really care about what they’re writing/drawing. It gives me a bit of hope.

Granted, I am sad there’s no announcement of a Gail Simone Watchmen Babies comic, but maybe they’re saving that one for tomorrow? A man can dream.