Watchmen prequel comics to be released by DC Entertainment

Watchmen prequel series to expand Watchmen universe

DC Entertainment announced Wednesday seven "Watchmen" prequel mini-series which will be released this summer.

To carry the "Before Watchmen" banner, the seven inter-connected stories will build on the foundation of the original "Watchmen," widely recognized as the bestselling graphic novel in history.

"It’s our responsibility as publishers to find new ways to keep all of our characters relevant," said DC Entertainment Co-Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee. "After twenty five years, the Watchmen are classic characters whose time has come for new stories to be told. We sought out the best writers and artists in the industry to build on the complex mythology of the original."

"Before Watchmen" will reportedly include the following:

• 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

Each issue will feature a two-page back-up story titled "Curse Of The Crimson Corsair" from Wein and original Watchmen colorist John Higgins. The series will also culminate in the single-issue "Before Watchmen: Epilogue" from various artists and writers and a "Crimson Corsair" story by Wein and Higgins.

"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," said Dave Gibbons, "WAtchmen" co-creator and original series artist.

“Comic books are perhaps the largest and longest running form of collaborative fiction,” said DiDio and Lee. “Collaborative storytelling is what keeps these fictional universes current and relevant.”