“Show, don’t tell” is a comic book cliché at this point and is probably over used in comic book reviews but it is inescapable in this issue. Narration boxes run over just about every panel of this book and rather than add commentary or insight to the action, they exactly describe what is taking place in the images. In fact, once in the night club / restaurant scene things have switched to the narration boxes describing moments not even shown in the art. It isn’t comic booking, it is illustrated prose.

The worst part of this proliferation of narration is how it distracts from and covers up Jae Lee’s art. His work here is beautiful and expressive and truly unique. The page layouts are themselves striking design work. His style has never been for everyone but if it works for you this book is something truly special in the art department. With the artist this in command of his craft it is a shame that the writing gets so much in the way.

I will grant that perhaps the over-writing of the narration may have been done intentionally and for effect. Certainly Ozymandias’ voice, full of pompous self congratulation, comes ringing through. But is there nothing more to Adrain Veidt than just arrogance? Certainly that is the defining trait of his actions in Watchmen but there must be more to explore than just that one note. And no matter how well Wein hits that note, after pages and pages of endless, prolix, mannered narration, it has well worn-out its welcome.