BEFORE WATCHMEN: NITE OWL has come to its conclusion. With the fourth and final issue, J. Michael Straczynski and Andy Kubert complete a story that effectively layers Nite Owl into the character we recognize from the original series.
For those who felt this was more of a Rorschach piece than a Nite Owl tale, they fail to see that this yarn was an ensemble narrative with Nite Owl at the fulcrum. Characters are revealed and defined by many things, and in this case Straczynski built-up Nite Owl through the revelation and exploration of relationships to other characters (i.e. his mother, father, the original Nite Owl, Rorschach and last but not least, the Twilight Lady).
What Straczynski did so well is to find a moment in the original text that lent itself to a basis for this prequel series. What he found was a story gem. He unearthed the bittersweet love story behind the picture of the Twilight Lady that Laurie (Silk Spectre) asked him about in Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ graphic masterpiece. The emotion and subtext of the original scene was translated into a prequel mini-series that further develops Nite Owl and ultimately serves as a parable connected to the relationship he has to Laurie in the future.
Andy Kubert art was visceral throughout. The beauty of his talent to capture the right moment for maximum storytelling effect is uncanny. Inker Bill Sienkiewicz deserves recognition for taking over for the great Joe Kubert after his passing. Sienkiewicz preserved the feel and spirit of the previous issues as well as left his distinct imprint on the series.
If you’re at all an astute acolyte of the original series, this story in one that ought to be etched into your memory. This was a character enriching experience that contributes added context and footnotes to what Moore and Gibbions lovingly created.
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