Dan DiDio Q&A as “Before Watchmen” launches

Dan DiDio, co-publisher of DC Entertainment, answered some questions for Nerdage and The Oklahoman about “Before Watchmen” as the ambitious series of miniseries launch.  Set in an alternate 1985 on the brink of nuclear war, “Watchmen” is one of the medium’s most acclaimed graphic novels. The mature, complex storyline was created by writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons in 1986-87. It was adapted into a Zack Snyder film in 2009.  The new prequels will fill out story elements occurring before the events of “Watchmen” over the course of seven miniseries.  “Before Watchmen: Minutemen” No. 1 goes on sale today.  Look for more from DiDio in Friday’s Weekend Look and here at Nerdage. 

Nerdage:  What’s the selling point to get fans in the comic-book shops and buying these comics?

Dan DiDio: The big selling point is that this material is true to the source material, but it gets the chance to examine all the aspects of ‘Watchmen’ that made it great. We’re seeing the characters in a different light, but also a light that is reflective of the original material.  And we found ways to really push the stories in new directions but be true to the original concepts and conceits.

We’re bringing on some of the greatest writers in comics today, as well as the greatest artists, and together they’re creating a package that we feel could stand side by side with the original material.

Nerdage: Are you pretty happy with the sales numbers you’ve seen so far?

Dan DiDio: Extraordinarily happy with what we’ve seen on it.  Because it met and exceeded all of our expectations, No. 1, and No. 2, it shows that there has been a real hunger and interest for this property.

I mean, when we we announced it, there was a lot of discussion going on, and a lot of it took place about the pluses and minuses of doing ‘Watchmen.’   And since I’ve been out there, and talking to fans, and both fans and retailers, I have been consistently hearing from both that they’re excited about it, and looking forward to it, and the numbers support that opinion.