'Before Watchmen' first look: Comedian’s dark travels in Vietnam

The cover for "Before Watchmen: Comedian" No. 5. (J.G. Jones / DC Comics)

The cover for "Before Watchmen: Comedian" No. 5 digital copy combo pack. (J.G. Jones / DC Comics)

A variant cover for "Before Watchmen: Comedian" No. 5. (Gary Frank / DC Comics)

Page 1 of "Before Watchmen: Comedian" No. 5, written by Brian Azzarello with art by J.G. Jones. (DC Comics)

Page 2 of "Before Watchmen: Comedian" No. 5, written by Brian Azzarello with art by J.G. Jones. (DC Comics)

Page 3 of "Before Watchmen: Comedian" No. 5, written by Brian Azzarello with art by J.G. Jones. (DC Comics)

Page 4 of "Before Watchmen: Comedian" No. 5, written by Brian Azzarello with art by J.G. Jones. (DC Comics)

Edward “The Comedian” Blake didn’t get much face time in Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ landmark graphic novel “Watchmen” — he takes a header off a balcony before the story even opens.

The character failed to get much more exposure in Zack Snyder’s 2009 film adaptation of “Watchmen,” but writer Brian Azzarello and artist J.G. Jones have been more than making up for his absence with their six-part “Before Watchmen: Comedian” limited series, tracing the checkered past of the not-so-funny tough guy.

As the series reaches its penultimate chapter, we find Blake continuing his Forrest Gump-like journey through mid-20th century history. He’s rubbed shoulders (and even rubbed out) some very notable names, and now he’s in Vietnam, traveling further and further down his personal path of moral corruption.

As Azzarello and Jones’ series winds down, Hero Complex readers are getting an exclusive first look at “Before Watchmen: Comedian” No. 5.

Check it out in the gallery at the top, or click on the links above for a larger version, and let us know what you think in the comments.

– Patrick Kevin Day

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