Written by Juanita ‘Obi-Juan’ Bonner Volume VI: Nothing Beside Remains  Catch up on the rest of the journey, by way of Juanita’s reviews of Volume I, Volume II, Volume III, Volume IV and Volume V. The cover (Jae Lee), for the final volume in this series has a confident looking Ozymandias atop the beast he unleashes on New York in Watchmen. A colorful squid-like creature also shaded with Lee’s now quite familiar dark shadowing represents the story coming full circle. The first variant (June Chung), in a different format, seems to do the same thing by showing an amalgamation of the Watchmen vigilantes, world powers’ flags, an atom bomb mushroom cloud and Dr. Manhattan’s ever watchful eyes, all somewhat encircled by a peace sign. Ozymandias and Bubastis sit perched below as though the above images are thoughts shuffling around his head. The second variant (also Jae Lee), is a duplicate of the main cover only the creature is colorless, all shades of gray, save for its deep pale yellowish eye. The volume opens with “Audio autobiography concluded,” as Adrian dives right in to his doomsday clock obsession by discussing his “almost constant electronic surveillance” of Dr. Manhattan and his teleportation abilities. He notes that Dr. Manhattan likely knows that Adrian is watching him and expresses his irritation that the good Doctor doesn’t seem to really care. Adrian sees the subtle smug smile that Dr. Manhattan shows when looking towards the hidden cameras as quite bothersome. I see this as another insight into this complicated character. He’s irritated because he’s jealous, no? The next page, taking place in March of 1981, shows a dark scene. Much to my astonishment, with no previous mention, Adrian is attending the funeral of his secretary Marla. With only a few people in attendance, Veidt says farewell stating, “I honestly do not know how I will get along without you.” Continuing to explain, Adrian says her unexpected death was ruled an accident as she apparently stumbled in front of a city bus on her way home from work. She died instantly. Suddenly I realize that my eyes have widened and my jaw has dropped! As Marla’s parents thank Veidt for all he had done for their daughter, I ponder on what his hired hitmen actually look like. Clean shaven, in a suit and all business, is the visual that comes to mind. However, I also envisioned said suit paying an average street urchin to accidently push Marla in front of that bus. While his limousine is leaving the funeral scene, Adrian reflects on Marla and states, “Her death had been tragic, but necessary. In the end, she knew too much.” If I didn’t know before, I definitely do now… Adrian Veidt is no hero. Jumping ahead one month, in a restaurant in Boston, Veidt sits across from Max Shea, the comic book creator noted in Watchmen as the writer for the bulk of Tales of the Black Freighter (Ch. 5; excerpt from Treasure Island Treasury of Comics, also Ch. 5). Veidt explains to Shea that he would like to produce a movie; ”The greatest science fiction film ever made,” and that he wants Shea to develop it. Once his interest is peaked, Adrian tells him the catch. Because they will be using “A whole new technology,” the film and those involved must be in complete seclusion for the duration of the project. Max thinks Adrian is nuts stating, “I have a life here, people I care about who care about me. I can’t just disappear on them.” In the end, money prevails, of course, and Adrian is pleased that he has secured the last piece to his creative team. I reflect back to Watchmen again and the mysterious disappearance of Max Shea noted in the aforementioned excerpt as well as a New Frontiersman newspaper article, where it is suggested that a Cuban conspiracy is behind the disappearance (Ch. 9; pgs. 29-32). [1] And, let’s not forget, mentioned in the same article, the missing head of the psychic and clairvoyant Robert Deschaines (AKA: the cloned brain behind Veidt’s squid-like telepathic creation). [2] At this point, my mind is racing with excitement and memories of the film crew being blown up in Watchmen (Ch. 10; pgs. 17 and 18). I contemplate on just how diabolical this backstory is and how well Wein took care to parallel it with the original works. Refined and sophisticated to be sure! The next couple of pages are on the island. Adrian and Max address those involved with the film as they arrive on the beach. Some pleasantries are exchanged before Adrian interrupts suggesting everyone get to work. Just after, a professor already at work on the island, begs Adrian’s attention sharing his hesitation to clone a human brain. Adrian assures him it came from a donated cadaver. Donated huh! Interesting choice of words for stolen. When questioned further, Adrian cuts off the scientist and says, “I’m looking for verisimilitude on this film, professor. I expect you to give it to me.” The page ends and both the professor and I are left with more than just hesitation… fear!  Back in New York, Veidt has an interaction with his new secretary Yvonne as she brings him the requested daily newspapers. He goes out of his way to let her know that she has “exceptional shoes to fill,” in reference to Marla. Sadistic much? One headline, distressing Veidt immediately, says that scientists have moved the doomsday clock yet another minute closer to midnight. Tick, tock! Noting time is of the essence, Veidt immediately visits his scientists. After hearing they have made significant progress on the electric vehicles, Veidt inquiries about the “Manhattan Project.” The scientists report they are getting closer, but need more “sophisticated facilities,” to further their efforts. Adrian tells them they shall have it and instructs them to get him a list. He also tells them to put all other projects on hold and states, “The clock is ticking gentlemen and it is getting louder by the minute.” I pause to mull over our own world’s Doomsday Clock… tick, tock! [3] Seven months later Adrian is in still in New York and cutting the ribbon on his Institute for Extra Spatial Studies as he states, “Where today’s greatest scientific minds can devote their time and energies to solving the mysteries of the universe.” Veidt then offers questions of the press. One in particular asks if the Institute was built to try and duplicate the quantum powers of Dr. Manhattan. Adrian quickly dismisses the notion as rumors and asks for the next question. I imagined him raging inside. Being undermined by Dr. Manhattan publicly, even if it can be easily dismissed, must drive him mad! The following page shows the famous Watchmen villain Moloch (Edgar Jacob) being released from prison. Veidt donned in his Ozymandias gear, meets Edgar at the prison gates with an offer. Moloch (AKA: the man Adrian gives cancer to then uses him to frame Rorschach) accepts Veidt’s proposal for a fresh start, moving his “Master plan… one step closer to fruition.” The next few pages, told from how Adrian envisions it, show the backstory of how The Comedian stumbles on Adrian’s island and his giant creature and how he later confronts Moloch upset by what he’s just seen. We’re whisked back to the pages of Watchmen verbatim (Ch. 2; pg. 22-23), yet with the artwork of Jae Lee, as The Comedian pours his heart out to Edgar. Having bugged Edgar as a precaution Adrian, listening in on the conversation from his fortress, hears everything. I think… wow, just as Adrian explains in Watchmen (Ch. 10 pg. 24), The Comedian truly did find all this out by accident, forcing Adrian’s hand. Veidt concludes that “Edward Blake is the original loose cannon” and though The Comedian apparently understands this sadistic vision, Adrian must alter his plans accordingly. Back in New York, Adrian dismisses his secretary for the evening and pulls a specific book from his office bookcase to reveal his private elevator. As he enters, Veidt states, “I have important business to transact tonight. Business that does not require an audience.” Donning all-black this time, Adrian sets out on his mission. Arriving outside Blake’s apartment building, he scales it to the roof and seeks to have his plans realized. He notes that though Blake is now in his 60’s, he is still a formidable opponent due to his continuing wet work tying up loose ends for the government which is how he stumbled on Veidt’s island in the first place. Biding his time, Veidt waits silently outside Blake’s door until an elderly couple passes by. He then takes a deep breath and makes his move. The door is kicked open with force to reveal a surprised Blake on the other side. Adrian ends by saying, “I do realize there is a terrible sort of irony here. This time, it seems, it is my turn to tie up the final loose end.” The volume closes with a final page depicting the last remaining piece of an Ozymandias statue in Egypt accompanied by a poem of the same name, written by Horace Smith. [4] It seems this self-anointed King didn’t stumble at all. In fact, he flew! I exhale slowly, ponder for just a bit then close the TPB in utter awe… full circle indeed! Character and Volumes Analysis It seems that many people would like to see Ozymandias as an anti-hero or even a hero, but I disagree. He is, all be it fascinating, a madman. He literally kills millions and for me the end does not justify the means. However, the overall outcome is rather compelling and one cannot help but wonder if wiping the slate clean, as it were, would truly work. After much consideration, I say maybe… for a time. Humans are, well… human. Despite our many good attributes, we’re also greedy, petty, demanding and pushy. I honestly think it wouldn’t take long for us to find our way back to hell post clean slate. Conversely, I do have hope. Hope that each new generation learns from the past, even just a little, and that one day, equality will be reached. Adrian Veidt doesn’t want equality. He wants to be the savior, a King and the answer. This backstory, showing his manipulation of the stock market, his vast fortune and having his hands in everything profitable, if nothing, proves this. Not to mention, anything philanthropic is really a cover for calculated plans. His own audio autobiography, though quite honest at times, neglects to truly point out that he obviously sees himself above those who would wallow at his feet. His self-anointed God-like complex is heavily sprinkled throughout as well, particularly visually. Additionally, his reasoned love for humanity goes completely against the fact that he has people murdered, gives them cancer and sets them up all for his own means to an end agenda, calling himself a hero along the way. He cares little for humanity save for pretending while trying to use whoever he needs to materialize his master plan. Finally, Veidt, since childhood has been alone and after losing Miranda, never appears to truly love again. A dysfunctional relationship, at best, with his secretary Marla was easily discarded when he determined that she knew too much. It’s a safe assumption that he likely decided to kill her quite some time before it unfolds within the pages. Cold and calculating since childhood, Adrian Veidt is a sociopath and a serial killer and quite frankly, l loved every minute of it! Reflecting on the series as a whole… Considering this prequel arc is written by someone who sat courtside to the creative process of the original works, I am overwhelmingly impressed. The tie-ins with Watchmen are flawless and spectacularly intriguing. I started out just trying to learn more about Ozymandias and in the process, I re-read Watchmen, re-watched the film adaptation, and finally, truly fell in love with this character. He is complex and layered and utterly captivating. I also intend to get my hands on the Doomsday Clock limited series and its origins in The New 52 and Rebirth. [1] To explain further, I am not sure I can say enough about the subtlety Len Wein uses when revealing keys to Adrian Veidt. Similar to Watchmen, the writing is straight forward yet multifaceted at the same time and I only see myself becoming more puzzled by this character as time goes on. Another exciting feature is how Wein flawlessly pivots on the fourth wall. Adrian Veidt is often talking directly to the reader while other times it seems the author himself is giving us his own insight to Veidt’s thoughts. It’s a beautifully delicate blend that I only truly noticed upon a second read. Lastly, starting from childhood hooked me immediately. For I am a firm believer that what we experience in those young and fundamental years, shapes who we become as adults. I also very much enjoyed the artwork. Shades of black mixed with bright colors and standard panels mixed with circles allowed Jae Lee to convey multiple stories often times within just one or two pages. Furthermore, within the pages and on Lee’s covers, we see a very different depiction of Ozymandias than in the original works, all with great character affection making every page, cover to cover, visually enjoyable and mentally stimulating. In regards to covers alone, all of the artists do an excellent job. Each giving considerable insight into this character. In some ways even more than the pages themselves. All are compelling, but with this prequel focused entirely on Ozymandias, I found myself falling in love with Lee’s depictions which detoured me in the beginning simply because it was different. My overall opinion is that Wein’s writing and Lee’s art blend beautifully. A final thought. Throughout reading this series, I continually pondered on just exactly why Alan Moore would speak out against other adaptations of his work. He, himself, has worked on characters he didn’t create such as Batman and Superman and I can only imagine how honored he felt to do so. And although he doesn’t like Hollywood or the American comic book industry [2], one would think he would welcome the praise from those who strictly admire him in the comic sense. To explain further, I believe you can’t be one of the most influential contributors to the genre and not expect re-creations to imitations and everything in between. That’s the reward and conversely, the curse of recognition. Maybe there was more strain and strife in the creative process than we are aware of and by the end Moore was ready to be done. However, he has also objected to his other works being adapted, like From Hell (2001) and V for Vendetta (2005). [3] Simply put, critically acclaimed or not, I personally feel just having someone try to pay homage, should be considered flattering. Maybe Moore has read some or all of the Before Watchmen series… maybe not, but I can wholeheartedly say, he should! Epilogue Well, I did it! Not only did I finish Before Watchmen: Ozymandias, but I also dove headfirst into some of the other characters including Rorschach and The Comedian. And, as previously noted, I also re-read Watchmen which is just as compelling now, in this politically divided world, as it ever was in the 1980’s. It seems as a society, we are always on the brink of some sort of world annihilation, and just like within the colorful, yet grey in thought, pages; nukes, mass genocide, human peril and war are still on the forefront of human suffering. Adrian’s clean slate vision could literally and continually be applied throughout human history. It is only fitting that the essence of his character lies with ancient Pharaohs, Kings and conquerors.
It will be quite interesting to see what the highly anticipated HBO series, which premieres tonight, will bring us. A letter penned by showrunner and primary writer Damon Lindelof, on Instagram, is touching to say the least. [1] It’s clear he understands the polarization of prequels, sequels and any other interpretations of Watchmen. Additionally, in absolute true Doctor Manhattan fashion which is… Just. So. Cool. Lindelof shows his love and admiration for these priceless works. I can only hope that he, along with Jeremy Irons, bring even more depth to this wonderfully intricate character and the overall Watchmen universe! If you hung in for the whole thing, read one or two volumes, or simply read the prologue and skipped to the end, thank you for taking this journey with me. It’s been an honor to flesh out this character and I look forward to seeing how the coming doomsday clock story will play out on the HBO small screen. [2] Until then, who’s watching?? Tick, tock! Before Watchmen: Ozymandias #56 - 'Volume VI: Nothing Beside Remains' Writer/Artist: Len Wein/Jae Lee; Publisher: DC Comics Volume VI:
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