Gibbons, Dave - Watchmen, issue 9, cover (May 1987)
Artist: Dave Gibbons (All)
37 Comments - 2,812 Views - 4 Likes
Artwork Details
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DescriptionAs you might guess, I’m pretty happy to have this cover from the 9th (May 1987) issue of ‘Watchmen’ grace my gallery. This chapter was entitled ‘The Darkness of Mere Being’, a partial quote taken from Carl Jung’s ‘Memories, Dreams, Reflections’- “As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light of meaning in the darkness of mere being.” The use of the quote is certainly not accidental – it effectively encompasses Laurie Juspezcyk’s arguments to Dr. Manhattan over the world’s fate at the chapter’s end (mercifully, she wins the argument that all of human life is worth saving).The piece fell into the category of ‘have to have’ for numerous reasons. First...‘Nostalgia’. It’s almost the equivalent of a law of physics in comic art collecting – a powerful, naturally occurring phenomenon that, while not able to be seen, is an undeniably and regularly present cosmic glue to the hobby. Type this word into a web search and the first two definitions that pop up are, 1) a sentimental longing for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations, and 2) the evocation of these feelings or tendencies, especially in commercialized form. That second definition hits awfully close to home when I think of my comic art collection. Nostalgia was originally described as a “neurological disease of essentially demonic cause” by Johannes Hoffer, the Swiss doctor who coined the term in 1688. He attributed soldiers’ mental and physical maladies to a longing to return home, combining the Greek words for home (nostos) and the accompanying pain (algos) to create ‘nostalgia’. But science since the late 1990’s (interestingly, well after the publication of ‘Watchmen’) has turned that view on its head. While feeling nostalgic has historically been seen as a sign of depression, a growing body of research suggests that it actually wards off depression and anxiety. Nostalgic thoughts are remarkably similar across cultures – time with close friends, weddings, holidays, etc. – and such reminiscences are often triggered by feelings of isolation, most commonly amongst people experiencing a transition. Despite arising from senses of loss, nostalgia makes us feel better by bringing to mind cherished memories that assure us we are valued people who have meaningful lives. I enjoy that something from the hobby evokes an aspect that is so confirmatory about the positives of engaging in it. The second reason for the ‘have to have’ is the importance of the image and theme to the story. The ‘Nostalgia’ of Watchmen appears in some manner in every issue of the series – as a billboard, a store sign, a magazine ad, a tattered advertising poster in an alley, a television ad and a bottle of perfume on the dresser of Sally Jupiter – with the exception of issue six (it’s the Rorschach origin issue and he clearly has no longing for his past - the concept and image would be totally out of place). But in every other chapter of the story ‘Nostalgia’ is present – and is representative of the characters' reminiscences, memories and flashbacks of 'modified visions of a half-imagined past' as they deal with an unstable present and uncertain future. Nostalgia is particularly notable in chapter 9 – it’s the critical issue of the book as looking back to the past stops and the narrative turns to transitioning to the future. The tumbling bottle of Nostalgia throughout the chapter mirrors Laurie Juspezcyk’s emotional journey as she confronts the truth of her past. And, its destruction marks the shift of focus from looking back to looking forward – eventually reflected in the rollout of the new Veidt fragrance, ‘Millennium’. All in all, delighted to have this piece of comic art history in my gallery. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Steve Day Vich 
Member Since 2007
Posted on 11/14/2013
This is the first day for the rest of my life where I can say "I know the a guy who owns the Watchmen cover for issue 9 and he's ok".
Alex Johnson
Member Since 2006
Forum Moderator
Posted on 11/14/2013
A striking image and a wonderful explanation of its meaning to you. Thanks for sharing both.
Dino Mauricio
Member Since 2009
Posted on 11/14/2013
Absolutely wonderful, Nostalgia is definitely one of the key themes of Watchmen. What a fantastic cover from a landmark series! Congrats.
Chris C
Member Since 2004
Posted on 11/14/2013
"You use yer tongue purtier than a $20 whore." - Slim Pickens Never before has that quote been so fitting. Jungian references? Hoffer's nostalgia analysis? You, my friend, are a genius.
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
Posted on 11/14/2013
Chris C wrote:
"You use yer tongue purtier than a $20 whore." - Slim Pickens Never before has that quote been so fitting. Jungian references? Hoffer's nostalgia analysis? You, my friend, are a genius.Wow - it's rare that I am left at a loss for words. I'm not keeping a top 10 list of comments, but I'm starting it with this quote if I start to do so!
Ron S
Member Since 2007
Posted on 11/14/2013
An amazing piece, amd an equally amazing write up. Outstanding!
Michael Kenyon
Member Since 2008
Posted on 11/14/2013
H U G E addition to your collection. Your write up is spot on and makes the acquisition all the more remarkable. I am absolutely thrilled this fell into such deserving hands.
Felix Lu
Member Since 2005
Posted on 11/14/2013
1/6 of all WM covers are now in Chicago. I need to move.
Felix Lu
Member Since 2005
Posted on 11/14/2013
BTW...the perfume spilling out of the bottle is in the same pattern as the blood splatter on the smiley face...
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
Posted on 11/14/2013
Felix Lu wrote:
BTW...the perfume spilling out of the bottle is in the same pattern as the blood splatter on the smiley face...Hmmm...how the heck do I not notice such things?
Jonathan Mueller
Member Since 2005
Posted on 11/14/2013
Congrats on acquiring this historic cover and thanks for sharing it and your analysis of the themes involved in Watchmen and of the changing interpretations of feelings of nostalgia over time!
J L
Member Since 2005
Posted on 11/14/2013
Wonderful write up Chris!!!! And the cover is great too!!!! Congrats. 8 )
Mike W
Member Since 2007
Posted on 11/14/2013
Excellent pick up and brilliant description, my friend!! I agree that nostalgia drives many of us in this hobby, and indeed 1986 was a very good year.
Kasra Ghanbari
Member Since 2004
CAF Administrator
Posted on 11/14/2013
Such a wonderful piece…congratulations!!
Jeff Singh
Member Since 2004
Posted on 11/14/2013
Cool piece. Although I found it a hard read and never truly got into it, I understand what an important book this is and so something as iconic as a cover like this is a real coupe.
GianCarlo Nardini
Member Since 2004
Posted on 11/15/2013
Yum and yum! You need to take this thing to a certain Club Lago Restaurant for its "Chicago Victory Tour!"
Mark Levy
Member Since 2004
Posted on 11/16/2013
Great description - and, of course, a great touchstone from a classic!
Ben Bressel
Member Since 2003
Posted on 11/18/2013
nostalgia is why we all collect right????? awesome C!!!!!!! congrats
Timothy Finney
Member Since 2006
Posted on 11/21/2013
I have a friend who thinks that comic book art is a viable art form and that nostalgia is one of the more insidious aspects of our collecting world. Hmm. I wonder what he thinks of this?.
Joe Murray
Member Since 2006
Posted on 11/22/2013
So much congrats on connecting with such an amazing cover!
Justin Hutchinson
Member Since 2006
Posted on 1/30/2014
Ron, I said to you last Friday and I'll write it again here - your commentary on this page is hands down the BEST I've read on CAF! You nailed how I feel about Watchmen, this cover and collecting comic artwork in general for the reasons you have stated. Oh! and the cover is simple but yet complex and all set in motion. A true piece of history. AMAZING.
Mike (aka Off White) White
Member Since 2008
Posted on 2/25/2014
A great score. I'd be happy with a page from this iconic series someday. Yet here you go and get a cover. A wonderful addition to an already impressive collection.
comicinkking. com
Member Since 2004
Posted on 6/29/2018
Sweet Jesus! I have not been paying attention to your updates!! This is incredible!! Congratulations! - where do you go from here????!!
Geoff Art
Member Since 2014
Posted on 12/17/2018
To think...some people post historic pages like this and don't even write anything in the description! It almost feels like you've earned this wonderful cover. An elegant exposition of why we collect to go with an elegant example of what we'd all (or most of us) like to collect.
COL (Ret) Churchill
Member Since 2004
Posted on 3/19/2020
Methinks that Watchmen 9 must be thy favorite issue in this storied 12 issue maxi-series????
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