Absolute WATCHMEN: A Color Comparison and Analysis (Absolute Edition vs the Original Issues)

We continue our look at the Absolute Watchmen with a comparison of the original 12-issue series to the recoloured Absolute Edition pages.
Featuring page-to-page comparisons, including fixes for errors and a modern touch.
Part One, with its look at the physical specifications of the Absolute Watchmen, alongside a breakdown of the extras/ bonus material, can be found here:
• Absolute WATCHMEN: A L...
Where to buy this book:
amzn.to/2q6K5no (United States - Amazon)
amzn.to/2Jm1hxs (India - Amazon)
tinyurl.com/y6wlqylo (India - Infibeam)
Check us out on Facebook for updates, polls and tidbits related to the videos: / ftlocomics
Music by Jimmy Fontanez, Media Right Productions from KZbin Audio Library.
All images are used for review purposes only and belong to their respective copyright holders.

[@Walboro]

My copy of Absolute Watchmen is signed by John Higgins who also did a Rorschach sketch. He said he was a huge fan of the remaster because it was closer to how they initially wanted it to look, with more clean secondary colours.

[@ftloc]

What a wonderful experience! I had read online that the recoloring was definitely endorsed by Higgins and Gibbons (not sure about Moore's take) and closer to their ideal. I go back and forth depending on the page I'm looking at, but most of my objections may actually be about nostalgia (pun unintended) for the (inadvertent?) 'garish' effect of the original colours and how that flavoured my first readings of the story. I really like the cleanup and corrections though!

[@Walboro]

For the Love of Comics Yeah, I agree. That some panels would work better if they’d kept the garish colours which were very indicative of the 80s, however for consistencies’ sake they obviously had to make that compromise. I’m also a HUGE fan of the way they differentiated the Tales of the Black Freighter in the absolute edition with the dot pattern which was everywhere in comics of the age, to contrast what was real life and what was the comic in a clear but subtle way.

[@ftloc]

The Black Freighter dot pattern may be my absolute (!) favourite adjustment of all time, and I think I point it out in either this video or the first part. If only all remasters were that inspired!

[@Marcus-ru1ht]

Wow. That’s awesome. I would like to say when people talk about Watchmen, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons is usually referenced to the book. It’s nice that John Higgins get some recognition, and lucky you!

[@FirstnameLastname-my7bz]

2:57 yeah man, Dan's face turning completely fuсking black when he looks down is so much better 🙃

[@ftloc]

Some things are better in the shadows, aren't they? 😁

[@teddybeer6206]

Oh MAN! I just got my hands on the original individual 12 issues for $40!

[@thesecretsaucechannel]

Thank you for churning out these videos. Its always a pleasure to watch your videos

[@ftloc]

Thank *you* sir, for watching, commenting and reacting; those are the things that make it so much fun to do!

[@hobbychaos]

Thanks so much for this very informative and well made video! I found an old paperback edition of Watchmen in a second hand book store, now I know it has the original colours!

[@ftloc]

So glad you enjoyed it and congratulations on getting your hands on something that is just going to get harder and harder to come by !

[@PhenomStudios]

I love you werent bashing the new version like some hater. Great vid

[@ftloc]

Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it!

[@rufphoenix1353]

Fantastic! Beautiful!

[@shannonghoset2056]

Great video! Very well done and informative!

[@ftloc]

Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it!

[@aultra-magawhostandsagains7974]

@@ftloc The absolute was expensive,so I went with the Deluxe. Good quality hardcover because you don’t even need to keep the dust jacket because of the gloss cover.

[@TheStanishStudios]

It’s a pity there isn’t a modern HC version that corrects printing mistakes but preserves the original garish colors and harsh contrasts.

[@ftloc]

Ah a dream edition, in many ways! Although I have to say the 'mistakes' are tiny and in no way detract from the story.

[@tinustinus571]

I've never had the occasion to compare 2 editions in details. I don't belong to this club yet (who own several editions of a book). I didn't know that recoloring was such a heavy process. I thought recoloring was only about making colors a little better, but it's much more than that. Your video is really instructive.

[@ftloc]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Yes, the recoloring of many works are controversial, with mixed reactions. This is actually one of the more well received (for the most) efforts.

[@phantom_eternal]

Thanks for the video. I love the film and always wanted to read the GN. Went for the absolute edition in the end, party due to the corrections, however I do really appreciate the grimy feel to the original. Hopefully pick up a copy some day as it is one of favourites, especially in the super hero genre hands down. Can't wait to get my hands on it. Appreciate the video

[@ftloc]

Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it! And no matter which way you read it, it's a great comic!. The grunge of the earlier colours may be more of a nostalgic construct, but that's the way it goes i suppose! 😁

[@danielwoodhouse8475]

Very good video!

[@ftloc]

Thanks so much! Check out some of the other edition comparisons I have on this channel if you like this sort of thing: kzbin.info/aero/PLf2B7UoR9NKUsVKsaO16cxTU6g3EYCsBx Cheers! 😁

[@Marcus-ru1ht]

Love your review. Are you from Indian? I wanted to ask where did you get your books from. Just subscribe btw!

[@ftloc]

Thanks for the kind words and welcome to the channel! 😁 I am from and live in India, yes! I usually buy my books online from sites like Amazon, from second hand bookstores, and from other readers buying and selling online, like on Facebook groups.

[@justloading]

Was the switching of colours of Laurel’s clothes and her Mum’s (4:09) intentional to symbolise some kind of turning of tables or something?

[@ftloc]

I suppose it's possible, but I think it's just an error. The 'coding' in Watchmen tends to be a lot more deliberate and echoed than a one-off and small thing like that, and if it was intentional it wouldn't have been 'fixed' in the Absolute and subsequent editions, I think.

[@justloading]

@@ftloc Gotcha, true

[@akshayhere]

Does the Deluxe Edition have same color corrections as Absolute Edition?

[@ftloc]

Yes they do. Everything now, unless you find an old edition of the to or the original issues, have the new colours.

[@demetriusjohn8534]

Nice video I got the hardcover of the watchmen it not the deluxe version though. Nice video again.

[@ftloc]

You have a hardcover that’s not deluxe or absolute? That’s cool - do you know what year it was published, or if it has a title like ‘International Edition’? It would be interesting if I was an original-colours HC. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@demetriusjohn8534]

@@ftloc It doesn't say I can say it was released after the absolute edition.

[@demetriusjohn8534]

@@ftloc it is recolored just like the absolute and deluxe editions of watchmen. The book I have have the same page size but have fewer pages

[@ivanostermann7644]

Hello! I love your videos! I have the chance to purchase either the original 12 issues or the absolute edition. What do you recommend? Thanks

[@ftloc]

Wow, that's a tough one! Single issues have portability, readability, the original colours and the separate chapter- separate read experience. The absolute has the oversizing, hardcover, new colours and extras. It's pretty even. I'd say singles for the 'piece of history' aspect or absolute for deluxe presentation. Maybe I'd go for the singles, but I may have a different answer on a different day! 😁

[@ivanostermann7644]

For the Love of Comics thanks for the quick response!!! I do have a deluxe edition of the comic with the new colors and everything. Is not the absolute edition but it’s a nice edition. I also like to collect rare comics and watchmen is one of my favorites. I’m not sure what to decide because the absolute Ed is a beast too. I just need a push from someone that knows. P.s.: did you notice my last name? Lol

[@ivanostermann7644]

For the Love of Comics so I need you verdict pleeeasee!

[@ftloc]

@@ivanostermann7644 Go for the single issues. They're harder to come by than the Absolute, at the very least. You can triple dip at a later date, if needed. 😁

[@ivanostermann7644]

For the Love of Comics thanks a lot for your input. Keep up the amazing work! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@angelicamaldonado7680]

I have a question. When I decided to buy a big version, I decided to buy the absolute edition i stead of the deluxe edition. Am I missing a lot of the extras from the deluxe edition?

[@ftloc]

As far as I know, all the extras in the Deluxe come from/ were taken from the Absolute. And of course with the Absolute you get the extras in a larger size 😁

[@carlosmateos6567]

Love ur video mate. Hope ure allright. I preffer the original colour but there isnt a big difference to be honest

[@ftloc]

Thank you! And I think I agree with you - it is not as drastic as some others I have seen, which is for the best. I like the corrections, but it feels less sleazy somehow. And Watchmen without the sleaze just feels not quite right...

[@carlosmateos6567]

@@ftloc agree 100%

[@NecumNaTo]

Great video but you should get a better camera.

[@ftloc]

NecumNaTo Thanks so much for watching. I know I probably need to up the production standards if I stick with this, and a new camera would be great, but I can‘t afford one right away. I suppose I should be thinking about it, though - what would you recommend? Also, would you mind telling me what you find the most bothersome and if it is across my latest videos (like What is Batman: Year One?) as well? Thanks so much again!