Wanted

Touted as "WATCHMEN for Villains" when it first appeared as a six-issue mini, WANTED was certainly a much anticipated if not over-hyped comic that certainly had big shoes to fill, or at least try to fill. Did it succeed? Well, that all depends on one's personal expectations and opinions, which I won't even attempt to go into. Suffice to say that they are both very different breeds of comic, Watchmen being a more detailed and analytical work whereas Wanted is ultimately a much more conventional superhero work. Sure, it may be a whole lot more profane than the average Wolverine or Punisher title would like to be, however, realistically speaking, it is simply put, a comic that has far more style than substance. That is not to say that it is a bad or poorly conceived work. Just that Watchmen was less interested in the influence of modern-day Hollywood than Wanted is. Which automatically makes them diametric opposites. I guess one could argue that Wanted is the relative of Watchmen, you know, that one relative that no-one ever really wants to talk about much less acknowledge it's existence. Which really does work in Wanted's favor, considering what it is that Mark Millar set out to say when he created it.It benefits the reader immensely if they know their comics inside and out. That way all of the black humour of the series is "got" and all of the full weight of the events (particularly what has made the world depicted the way it is) are truly understood.Before going any further, one needs to be aware of another series/TPB which mirrors Wanted in very crucial and telling ways. I refer to Grant Morrison and Chris Weston's THE FILTH. If you have not read THE FILTH and profess to "know" Wanted, then let me tell you, YOU NEED TO READ THE FILTH! Morrison and Millar are good friends and, having written together previously, both Wanted and The Filth no doubt were born as a result of discussions they had. Now let me just say that The Filth handles the ideas/concepts of "super-hero deconstructionism" (as detailed in both works) much more originally and successfully than Wanted. Whereas Morrison runs with the ball, so to speak, until he passes the touchdown line and then keeps on running, Millar doesn't fully seem to know what to do with what he's been handed and simply attempts to let some fancy footwork compensate for any other shortcomings.Now let me state that I believe Millar to be one of the most talented and vital writers currently in comics today. However, Wanted (unlike say AUTHORITY or ULTIMATES or even SUPERMAN:RED SON) is rife with so much unfulfilled potential.The issue of what happened to (their world's Superman) is raised. His tattered cape, which should have been destroyed, exists as a secret trophy of Prof Seltzer's. This would have been known as foreshadowing in any other story, but here it is simply a nod to DCs DEATH OF SUPERMAN arc, nothing more or less. Millar does nothing with the consequences of Seltzer possessing the cape. It's like the whole sum of Wanted is simply a drive by the car wreck of superhero-dom or somesuch. Any twists or turns are simply played for shock value. They do little or nothing to drive the plot into fresh and original areas. Wesley, the main character, learns absolutely nothing enlightening or enriching from his experiences and the finale where he enacts his father's wish plays so much like a near-similar scene from one of Frank Miller's Sin City arcs that it's intended surprise impact is rendered flat.As to the very last page, sure, this IS a series about villains and particularly "supervillains" but really, does that mean they have to be so predictably boorish and simplistic. Villains in comics, by their very role and nature, are "agents of change" whereas their "heroic counterparts" are "agents of stability". That said, by having changed the wold in such a drastic manner, it would seem that they have become just like what they hated - predictable and incapable of change. Was this part of Millar's intention? Who really knows? It remains just another unfulfilled and unexplored aspect of Wanted.Maybe Millar might one day write a sequel (maybe that's his intention?)and address many of these unresolved aspects, but as it stands now, Wanted is too similar to Fight Club to be deserving of many of the accolades it has been heaped with.

I enjoyed both the film adaption and this, Original concept. I don't consider them the same however, I separate them knowledgeably with the only thing they have in common is, Name sake. The film has the same premise but does it's own thing while the comic blows the films ideas and plot out of this earth creating multi dimensional chaos and murdering mayhem. Both are entertaining, in their own rights. At the end of the day, that's all humans want, entertainment.. Sadly these days everyone is a harsh "professional" critic.. I seen the film before I read this, that being said I still, enjoy both adaptions. Think for yourself, judge for yourself.

The concept is good but one of the problems I have are some parts of the story. One of the problems with the comic book is that they go into controversial topics such as villains committing murder, rape, and racism. It makes me a bit uncomfortable when it comes to that but overall the comic book story is pretty good and interesting to look into

I seriously did not know what to expect with this work. I read the other reviews and came to the decision to buy it and review it myself since this book seems to garner such strong reactions.I personally loved this book. Yes, there are no sympathetic characters in it, but that is done by design so I don't know how that could be a legitimate criticism. It's like blaming a horror movie for being too scary. The premise is simple--What kind of world would result from super-villains winning? Is there morality when society treats a privileged few as above the law?There's a lot of depth to this work that casual reading just won't bring out. If you're in any way shocked by violence, this is NOT the comic for you. This is about as violent as it gets. And in some respects, reminds me of the movie Natural Born Killers. People protest the violence in that movie as well, even though the violence was absolutely necessary for the story being told. A more modern example would be No Country For Old Men. Same thing.That doesn't mean I agree with everything this work implies, but it is well done regardless. The main antagonist, for example, becomes so incredibly evil after having a near-death experience where he realized there is no God. I find it a bit offensive that the sudden lack of belief implies instant evil, but the character was a fanatic so the point is dulled a bit.The comedy in this work is so well done. Really good laughs at the absurdity of several DC and Marvel characters warped into this brutal world. The comedy is dark, but dead-on hilarious. Again, you'll probably need a dark sense of humor to appreciate it, and if you don't, you won't like this book. Without the humor relieving the ever present ruthless violence, it simply would not be an enjoyable read.And of course the end was genius. I won't spoil it, but it truly was a clever idea and brilliantly executed in a way I've never seen before. Mark Millar, which I already appreciated as a good writer, has climbed up several notches in my eyes. He takes risks that pay off.So recap:- Don't like violence, don't buy it.- Not for kids at all.- Much deeper than the violence, gross-outs, and sex would suggest.- Full of dark humor rooted in superhero lore.- Brilliant ending.

This graphic novel is great - from start to finish! Full colour throughout. No more needs to be said - except get it, and read it!! Great. Thanks.

An ingenious and darkly humorous deconstruction of the entire super hero genre. Definitely NOT for kids and infinitely better than the film. The tone is closer to Watchmen than the Avengers and is all the better for it.

Absolutely brilliant read. Gives a great twist on the 'superhero' genre. Not for the easily offended though! A solid read from Mark Millar with brilliant art work by JG Jones. My one complaint would be the front cover featuring the terrible knock off movie of this classic read.

Great read.

Used but good saved.