BEFORE WATCHMEN: SILK SPECTRE, more than any other WATCHMEN prequel, has found its footing. Rather than reading something that it feels like familiar territory, this series is shaping up as a truly original story.

The collaboration between Darwyn Cooke and Amanda Conner is one that not only benefits the entire BEFORE WATCHMEN event, but also fleshes out Silk Spectre in a way that Alan Moore did not. Here we find character growth and development. And ultimately, this is not just a hero’s journey, but rather a unique one at that.

Cooke and Conner show their visual storytelling chops and don’t heavily rely on internal narration to tell their story. Rather, they allow text and images to meld together and simultaneously push the story forward in an enjoyable manner.

This is well-crafted writing in conjunction with quality art. There is a true sense of motion, body language and expressiveness which makes the story relatable. There is life and emotion in every panel – a testament to the respective talents of these formidable collaborators.

Cooke and Conner maintain a series that is invariably light in tone, with fantastic touches and allusions to the grim reality of the world to come. This coming-of-age tale builds off the last issue and has developed into such a charming series. Without a doubt, this is the most accessible title of the entire event thus far.

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