Things to do before you see Watchmen

You may be eagerly anticipating the 3/6/09 release of Watchmen like I am.  However, there are a few things any good fanboy can do before donning your Night Owl costume and going to join the crowds at the midnight release.  You are dressing up and going to the midnight release, right?  Anyway, before you head off to the theater there are a few things you can do to spread the love.

1) Re-read Watchmen.  Yes, break out the book and soak in all the goodness.  The movie looks to be incredibly true to the original so all the little details you see in the movie will be that much better as you remember the details from the original.  Don’t have your copy because you loaned it to someone?  Well first bug them to finish reading it so they can give it back, then go to your local comic shop and buy a second copy, just in case.  Don’t forget to geek out about the upcoming film amongst people who can appreciate it.  While you’re at it you can probably belabor a few innocent comic shoppers to buy Watchmen as well.

2) Buy the Watchmen animated comic from iTunes or via X-Box Live.  Have people over and watch it as a group.  It’s totally faithful to the original and very well produced.  This is a fantastic way to get people who you’re not going to convince to read the graphic novel to “read” it in an unadulterated form.  If you buy all 12 episodes as a group from iTunes it’s only $20, vs $1.99 for each episode.

3) Talk about Watchmen with everyone you know until everyone is sick and tired of hearing about it and will refuse to go just on principle.  Be sure to go into uber-fanboy mode talking about all the sneak peaks you’ve viewed and how the authenticity of the sets is almost unparalleled in an adaptation.  You’ll turn them around eventually.  On second thought, maybe we should skip this one.

4) Pre-order tickets for everyone who might be going.  That way they’ll feel obligated, plus you’ll help run up the opening weekend numbers.  You did buy the Watchmen on HSX like 3 years ago right?  This is your time to cash in!

Ok, so perhaps a few of these suggestions are a bit more silly than others, but you really should re-experience Watchmen one more time before seeing it on the big screen.  My suggestion is the animated comic as it allows you to invite new people but which ever way you decide to experience Watchmen you know it’s as good as ever.