Gibbons, Dave - Watchmen, team prototype (1985)
Artist: Dave Gibbons (All)
61 Comments - 819 Views - 56 Likes
Artwork Details
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DescriptionThis is the earliest historical finished Watchmen artwork produced by Dave Gibbons. It's 11" x 17" on standard comic art board.It was drawn in 1985 to visually flesh out the Watchmen series concept and predates the first issue of Watchmen, which was published the following year. This image was published in 'Watching the Watchmen' and the Graphitti collected HC edition of Watchmen. A pleasure, as always, in dealing with Joseph Melchior of BritComicsArt.com!! Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan 
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 12/23/2024
As good as it gets! Congrats!!
Simon M.
Member Since 2003
2 - Posted on 12/23/2024
Amazing to think how Rorschach might have looked. Congrats on yet another gem.
E DLS
Member Since 2005
5 - Posted on 12/23/2024
I know you can't see me as I type this comment, but I'm over here actually laughing. I swear it was a totally spontaneous reaction. But I'm sure it was prompted by how ridiculously insane this piece is. First, it pretty much trumps all of the published covers for the series. Second, its historical significance. And third, well, just look at this thing! Now there may be those who are tempted to dismiss this "prototype" as an early, insignificant, stand alone piece that has nothing to do with the published series. But when I flip through those 12 issues in my mind, I honestly can't think of a better visual than this piece. I hate to use the word perfect, but I'm certainly thinking it. The composition and design, the grouping and posing of the characters, how wonderfully the piece is lit, and that great logo in the background. I'm neither a Watchmen, Alan Moore, or Dave Gibbons fanatic. But if I was, this would be a one and done piece for sure. Congratulations my friend. You're really showing the rest of us how it's done.
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 12/23/2024
E DLS wrote:
I know you can't see me as I type this comment, but I'm over here actually laughing. I swear it was a totally spontaneous reaction. But I'm sure it was prompted by how ridiculously insane this piece is. First, it pretty much trumps all of the published covers for the series. Second, its historical significance. And third, well, just look at this thing! Now there may be those who are tempted to dismiss this "prototype" as an early, insignificant, stand alone piece that has nothing to do with the published series. But when I flip through those 12 issues in my mind, I honestly can't think of a better visual than this piece. I hate to use the word perfect, but I'm certainly thinking it. The composition and design, the grouping and posing of the characters, how wonderfully the piece is lit, and that great logo in the background. I'm neither a Watchmen, Alan Moore, or Dave Gibbons fanatic. But if I was, this would be a one and done piece for sure. Congratulations my friend. You're really showing the rest of us how it's done.
Eric - I think your comment on the temptation for some to dismiss this prototype is spot-on; I'm sure it may feel non-canonical for a subset of our community, particularly as it relates to how different Rorschach is visually presented. But, for me, it's a window into Dave Gibbons' creative process as he fleshed out the team at a very early stage - and I love that stuff! I appreciate the kind words, and I will have to figure out how to show it to you in person one of these days!
Steven Dilworth
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 7/15/2025
Chris K. wrote:
Eric - I think your comment on the temptation for some to dismiss this prototype is spot-on; I'm sure it may feel non-canonical for a subset of our community, particularly as it relates to how different Rorschach is visually presented. But, for me, it's a window into Dave Gibbons' creative process as he fleshed out the team at a very early stage - and I love that stuff! I appreciate the kind words, and I will have to figure out how to show it to you in person one of these days!
Screw canonical. I collect scripts for movies and TV shows, and the most enjoyable thing of all is getting early drafts. That way, you can see the creative process that led to the final product. That is art. It is a process, and seeing it happen (not just an artist doing a piece beginning to end, but the first ideas to the final pice) is so exciting.
And that is what this piece is...exciting!
Will K
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 12/23/2024
That Rorschach is wild !! He would have to be twice as brutal to stop crooks from laughing at him.
J. Sid
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 12/24/2024
Will K wrote:
That Rorschach is wild !! He would have to be twice as brutal to stop crooks from laughing at him.
CAF has needed an "LOL" emoji/reaction for more than a decade now, and this comment is further evidence.
Ron B
Member Since 2024
1 - Posted on 12/23/2024
Brilliant! Leaves a comet-tail lingering impression in your mind once you've seen it.
John Voytek
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 12/23/2024
That is a banger! WOW!...and Congratulations!
Nils E
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 12/23/2024
It's amazing the embarrassment of artistic riches that flowed out of 2000AD
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 12/23/2024
An absolutely phenomenal Watchmen piece and truly historical to boot? This is insane & better than any cover!
Ted Latner
Member Since 2005
2 - Posted on 12/23/2024
That's great! Definitely an interesting look for Rorschach. It's probably good that Gibbons went back and decided to re-model him more closely after The Question / Mr. A.
R Berman
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 12/23/2024
Great to see this; congrats. Giving Rorschach pants was a good call.
Jeff Singh
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 12/23/2024
This is something quite special but I'd expect nothing less from your collection. Even having said that, you have found something to outdo even yourself.
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
3 - Posted on 12/24/2024
I like how Gibbons puts Moore's name on it too. No doubt there was a lot of discussion and input from Moore in the design of the characters and how they should be presented. It has a very 2000AD look to them with the harder edge which they telegraph personality traits that may not be where the story wound up having them. Silk Spectre is a lot more adult like her mom, Rorschach is less the Question and more creepy, Doctor Manhattan has the pose of a diety with the prayer hands, and Ozymandias is a lot less clean cut with the shadow on the face forshadowing a dark side. You must be the one Who Watches over the Watchmen.
David Kwock
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 12/24/2024
whoah an absolutely epic piece! major congrats!
artless artmore
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 12/24/2024
A piece of history, and a gorgeous one at that
David Mandel
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 12/24/2024
This version of the chracters was seared into my mind from the moment I first saw it. The full body Rorschach, the angrier Silk Spectre, the enture group seems "harsher" in a cool way. And I thought the team name looked great like this! Congrats!
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 12/24/2024
David Mandel wrote:
This version of the chracters was seared into my mind from the moment I first saw it. The full body Rorschach, the angrier Silk Spectre, the enture group seems "harsher" in a cool way. And I thought the team name looked great like this! Congrats!
Yes, there's darkness and heaviness in each character, which results in a more grim team appearance. It makes you wonder how Moore's thoughts on the story might have evolved between the generation of this image and the release of the first issue. One thing consistent from this image to the final published story is that Gibbons would feature Dr. Manhattan's unit whenever he could :)
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 12/24/2024
Chris K. wrote:
Yes, there's darkness and heaviness in each character, which results in a more grim team appearance. It makes you wonder how Moore's thoughts on the story might have evolved between the generation of this image and the release of the first issue. One thing consistent from this image to the final published story is that Gibbons would feature Dr. Manhattan's unit whenever he could :)
Unit? Is that what you call it, Mr. Romantic? Lol. I presume underwear are called storage units?
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
3 - Posted on 12/24/2024
Peter Sullivan wrote:
Unit? Is that what you call it, Mr. Romantic? Lol. I presume underwear are called storage units?
I was debating between that & 'tallywacker'.
Matt Kennedy
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 12/24/2024
This answers the question (pun intended) of, "How could Rorschach have been more terrifying to criminals?"
Head to toe Spandex —that's how!
Incredible.
Josh F
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 12/24/2024
Merry Britmas indeed! What can be said that has not aleady been said. Hurm? This is the cherry on top of your icing on top of the gourmet cake that is your comic art collection. It leaves me with only one question. Will you be my best friend?
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
2 - Posted on 12/24/2024
Josh F wrote:
Merry Britmas indeed! What can be said that has not aleady been said. Hurm? This is the cherry on top of your icing on top of the gourmet cake that is your comic art collection. It leaves me with only one question. Will you be my best friend?
Done!
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 12/24/2024
That Rorschach suit is pretty revealing, isn't it? Or is that a test?
Migs DC
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 12/24/2024
Amazing. Congrats Chris. Thanks for sharing this historical piece.
Aaron N.
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 12/24/2024
Almost missed the unit, and thus the oppotunity to figure out the exact pose of DM. What a joy this piece is.
D. J. Peters
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 12/24/2024
This is a true treasure! So fantastic! Thanks for sharing!
Teddie M
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 12/24/2024
Such an incredible piece drawn with incredible detail.
Toni S
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 12/25/2024
Wow
Awesome
Tremendous
Charming
Historical
Marvelous
Extraordinary
Nuff said
Yo Kuri
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 12/25/2024
Merry f--king Christmas! Dads always get the worst presents. However, you can't complain about getting socks when you buy yourself gifts like this! This will look INCREDIBLE in a frame. This is better than any of the covers. I love seeing the group in beta. Mega congrats!
Mister Miracle
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 12/25/2024
Congrats! It is a beauty! Love the Rorschach!
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 12/27/2024
WHOA. Unreal piece, Chris! So awesome from a pure art/visual standpoint but the importance...
Also so cool seeing the origina concept for Rorschach! HUGE congrats!
Joshua Tan
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 12/28/2024
Wow! What a stunner! Congrats on adding this to the already stellar collection!
Kin Wong
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 12/29/2024
Congrats on adding another piece of comic history to the collection! At what point do you just have a standing wire transfer to Joseph for new art? :)
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
2 - Posted on 12/29/2024
Kin Wong wrote:
Congrats on adding another piece of comic history to the collection! At what point do you just have a standing wire transfer to Joseph for new art? :)
We're way past that point :)
Felix Lu
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/29/2024
Crazy art acquisition stories are fewer and further between these days at SDCC. The WATCHMEN auction of 2024, though, is an all-timer. Incredible to see the art, and so much fun to follow the action. Once again, congrats on winning a well-fought battle!
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 12/29/2024
Felix Lu wrote:
Crazy art acquisition stories are fewer and further between these days at SDCC. The WATCHMEN auction of 2024, though, is an all-timer. Incredible to see the art, and so much fun to follow the action. Once again, congrats on winning a well-fought battle!
You are right, Felix - not enough art being walked around SDCC these days. The process triggered all sorts of nostalgia for me, particularly given the story this piece is tied to.
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 1/9/2025
Fantastic early prototype for the Watchmen series! It's so cool to see the way Dave Gibbons first thought about the characters. Obviously, Rorschach is the most different from the way we know him today. But Doctor Manhattan looks different too--a lot more pious, holding his hands as if in prayer. And Ozymandias looks more devious. It's fun to see the preliminary work on a title we've all come to know so well. This is the kind of background material that is a real pleasure to see. Thanks for sharing!
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