Before Watchmen: Rorschach #1-4

When I first heard about the Before Watchmen series, I was skeptical to say the least. Watchmen always seemed like everything that needed to be said was said and there wasn't much more that could be expanded upon. There's always to prequels and backstories for every series, but I couldn't think of anything that could really add to the Watchmen universe by exploring the past experiences of certain characters. However, after enjoying his work on Joker and 100 Bullets, I couldn't stay away from a Brian Azzarello Rorschach story.

The four-issue mini-series follows a young Rorschach brooding and lurking his way around 1977 New York City. His actions bring him into contact with a local gang leader, who does everything he can to stop the masked hero. At the same time, an anonymous serial killer stalks the city, killing women and carving their bodies.

As expected, this series follows Rorschach's life before the events of Watchmen, but it doesn't necessarily add anything to the original 12-issue story.  This does not, however, mean that the series isn't worth a read. Rorschach is an undeniable fan-favorite, and seeing him do what he does best without the threat of an apocalypse is very enjoyable.

Brian Azzarello was the perfect choice for a writer when taking a look at Rorschach's past, and Lee Bermejo's realistic art-style brings a fantastic gritty, dark feel to the New York City seen in films like Mean Streets and Taxi Driver (Travis Bickle actually makes a quick cameo in issue 3, driving a taxi cab and giving Rorschach a lift).

Azzarello does a great job writing this younger, violent, more ruthless version of Rorschach. He essentially paints a picture of Rorschach that I would compare to a lower-class, unemployed Batman.

I actually ended up enjoying how this prequel series did not attempt to connect to the original Watchmen story. It makes for a great, stand-alone story for people who simply want to see some more Rorschach (and who doesn't?). Although this arc was only a four-issue mini-series, I'd love to an ongoing series written by Azzarello and featuring Bermejo's art. This story takes place in 1977, and since Watchmen takes place some time in the 1980's, an ongoing series could cover the years leading up to the 80's. The Rorschach we see in Watchmen is a grizzled veteran who has seen crime at its worst, and watching his evolution could make for a fantastic series. 

Overall, Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo's take on Rorschach is a great story for fans of the character, and one that could even make a fantastic ongoing series. Since it's nice and short, Before Watchmen: Rorschach is a great read for fans of the character who really want to see him in action.