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[[File:Saturday Morning Watchmen.jpg|thumb|Screenshot of the Watchmen gathered together.]]
[[File:Saturday Morning Watchmen.jpg|thumb|Screenshot of the Watchmen gathered together.]]
'''''Saturday Morning Watchmen''''' is a [[Newgrounds]] and [[YouTube]] [[viral video]]<ref>{{cite web| last = Miller| first = Liz Shannon| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Weekend Vid Picks: Watchmen Goes Viral| work = | publisher = NewTeeVee| date = 6 March 2009| url = http://newteevee.com/2009/03/06/weekend-vid-picks-watchmen-goes-viral/| format = | doi = | accessdate = 10 March 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| last = Pepose| first = David| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Can Watchmen possibly top this?| work = | publisher = [[Newsarama]]| date = 5 March 2009| url = http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/03/05/can-watchmen-possibly-top-this/| format = | doi = | accessdate = 10 March 2009}}</ref> published on March 5, 2009.<ref>{{cite web| last = Kohn| first = Eric| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Saturday Morning Watchmen| work = | publisher = [[indieWire]]| date = 5 March 2009| url = http://blogs.indiewire.com/kohn/archives/2009/03/05/saturday_morning_watchmen| format = | doi = | accessdate = 10 March 2009}}</ref><ref name=video>{{cite web| last = Partridge| first = Harry| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Saturday Morning Watchmen| work = | publisher = [[YouTube.com]]| date = 5 March 2009| url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDDHHrt6l4w| format = | doi = | accessdate = 10 March 2009}}</ref> The video parodies the ''[[Watchmen]]'' comic book series, claiming to be a clip from a 1980s [[Saturday morning cartoon]] based on the series.<ref>{{cite web| last = Manco| first = Emanuele| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Saturday Morning Watchmen| language = Italian| work = | publisher = [[Fantasy Magazine]]| date = 8 March 2009| url = http://www.fantasymagazine.it/notizie/10026/saturday-morning-watchmen/| format = | doi = | accessdate = 10 March 2009}}</ref> The video was created and sung by ''Watchmen'' fan Harry Partridge<ref name=MTV/><ref name=Fox>{{cite web| last = Bartkewicz| first = Anthony| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = 'Watchmen' Reimagined as Kids' Cartoon| work = | publisher = [[WFXT|Fox WFXT]]| date = 9 March 2009| url = http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/entertainment/dpgo_Watchmen_Reimagined_as_Kids_Cartoon2242222| format = | doi = | accessdate = 10 March 2009}}</ref> and voiced by Partridge, Joshua Tomar, and Hans Van Harken.<ref>{{cite web| last = Smith| first = Kevin| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Saturday Morning Watchmen| work = | publisher = examiner.com| date = 5 March 2009| url = http://www.examiner.com/x-3094-Graphic-Novel-Examiner~y2009m3d5-Saturday-Morning-Watchmen| format = | doi = | accessdate = 10 March 2009}}</ref> It pokes fun at the tendency of the campy nature of 1980s animation to sanitize superheroes and other violent themes.<ref name=MTV>{{cite web| last = Goellner| first = Caleb| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Saturday Morning ‘Watchmen’ Cartoon — The Stuff Of Alan Moore’s Nightmares?| work = | publisher = [[MTV]]| date = 6 March 2009| url = http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/03/06/saturday-morning-watchmen-cartoon-the-stuff-of-alan-moores-nightmares/| format = | doi = | accessdate = 10 March 2009}}</ref> It features many of the mainstays of '80s cartoon films, like catchy rock themes, and references to the openings of ''[[Thundercats]]'', ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987 TV series)|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'', ''[[Jem (TV series)|Jem]]'', ''[[The Legend of Zelda (TV series)|The Legend of Zelda]]'', and [[Scooby-Doo]].<ref name=MTV/><ref>{{cite web| last = Stewart| first = Ryan| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Watchmen: The Saturday Morning Cartoon| work = | publisher = [[The Phoenix (newspaper)|The Phoenix]] | date = 6 March 2009| url = http://thephoenix.com/BLOGS/phlog/archive/2009/03/06/watchmen-the-saturday-morning-cartoon.aspx| format = | doi = | accessdate = 10 March 2009}}</ref> On the [[Newgrounds]] site, Partridge stated the video "combines two huge passions of mine, one being the comic genius that is [[Alan Moore]] and the other being kids' programming from the late '80s, which I would say is my biggest animation inspiration."<ref name=Fox/>
'''''Saturday Morning Watchmen''''' is a [[Newgrounds]] and [[YouTube]] [[viral video]]<ref>{{cite web| last = Miller| first = Liz Shannon| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Weekend Vid Picks: Watchmen Goes Viral| work = | publisher = NewTeeVee| date = 6 March 2009| url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ| format = | doi = | accessdate = 10 March 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| last = Pepose| first = David| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Can Watchmen possibly top this?| work = | publisher = [[Newsarama]]| date = 5 March 2009| url = http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/03/05/can-watchmen-possibly-top-this/| format = | doi = | accessdate = 10 March 2009}}</ref> published on March 5, 2009.<ref>{{cite web| last = Kohn| first = Eric| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Saturday Morning Watchmen| work = | publisher = [[indieWire]]| date = 5 March 2009| url = http://blogs.indiewire.com/kohn/archives/2009/03/05/saturday_morning_watchmen| format = | doi = | accessdate = 10 March 2009}}</ref><ref name=video>{{cite web| last = Partridge| first = Harry| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Saturday Morning Watchmen| work = | publisher = [[YouTube.com]]| date = 5 March 2009| url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDDHHrt6l4w| format = | doi = | accessdate = 10 March 2009}}</ref> The video parodies the ''[[Watchmen]]'' comic book series, claiming to be a clip from a 1980s [[Saturday morning cartoon]] based on the series.<ref>{{cite web| last = Manco| first = Emanuele| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Saturday Morning Watchmen| language = Italian| work = | publisher = [[Fantasy Magazine]]| date = 8 March 2009| url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ| format = | doi = | accessdate = 10 March 2009}}</ref> The video was created and sung by ''Watchmen'' fan Harry Partridge<ref name=MTV/><ref name=Fox>{{cite web| last = Bartkewicz| first = Anthony| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = 'Watchmen' Reimagined as Kids' Cartoon| work = | publisher = [[WFXT|Fox WFXT]]| date = 9 March 2009| url = http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/entertainment/dpgo_Watchmen_Reimagined_as_Kids_Cartoon2242222| format = | doi = | accessdate = 10 March 2009}}</ref> and voiced by Partridge, Joshua Tomar, and Hans Van Harken.<ref>{{cite web| last = Smith| first = Kevin| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Saturday Morning Watchmen| work = | publisher = examiner.com| date = 5 March 2009| url = http://www.examiner.com/x-3094-Graphic-Novel-Examiner~y2009m3d5-Saturday-Morning-Watchmen| format = | doi = | accessdate = 10 March 2009}}</ref> It pokes fun at the tendency of the campy nature of 1980s animation to sanitize superheroes and other violent themes.<ref name=MTV>{{cite web| last = Goellner| first = Caleb| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Saturday Morning ‘Watchmen’ Cartoon — The Stuff Of Alan Moore’s Nightmares?| work = | publisher = [[MTV]]| date = 6 March 2009| url = http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/03/06/saturday-morning-watchmen-cartoon-the-stuff-of-alan-moores-nightmares/| format = | doi = | accessdate = 10 March 2009}}</ref> It features many of the mainstays of '80s cartoon films, like catchy rock themes, and references to the openings of ''[[Thundercats]]'', ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987 TV series)|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'', ''[[Jem (TV series)|Jem]]'', ''[[The Legend of Zelda (TV series)|The Legend of Zelda]]'', and [[Scooby-Doo]].<ref name=MTV/><ref>{{cite web| last = Stewart| first = Ryan| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Watchmen: The Saturday Morning Cartoon| work = | publisher = [[The Phoenix (newspaper)|The Phoenix]] | date = 6 March 2009| url = http://thephoenix.com/BLOGS/phlog/archive/2009/03/06/watchmen-the-saturday-morning-cartoon.aspx| format = | doi = | accessdate = 10 March 2009}}</ref> On the [[Newgrounds]] site, Partridge stated the video "combines two huge passions of mine, one being the comic genius that is [[Alan Moore]] and the other being kids' programming from the late '80s, which I would say is my biggest animation inspiration."<ref name=Fox/>


==Contents==
==Contents==

Revision as of 22:38, 22 October 2010

Screenshot of the Watchmen gathered together.

Saturday Morning Watchmen is a Newgrounds and YouTube viral video[1][2] published on March 5, 2009.[3][4] The video parodies the Watchmen comic book series, claiming to be a clip from a 1980s Saturday morning cartoon based on the series.[5] The video was created and sung by Watchmen fan Harry Partridge[6][7] and voiced by Partridge, Joshua Tomar, and Hans Van Harken.[8] It pokes fun at the tendency of the campy nature of 1980s animation to sanitize superheroes and other violent themes.[6] It features many of the mainstays of '80s cartoon films, like catchy rock themes, and references to the openings of Thundercats, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Jem, The Legend of Zelda, and Scooby-Doo.[6][9] On the Newgrounds site, Partridge stated the video "combines two huge passions of mine, one being the comic genius that is Alan Moore and the other being kids' programming from the late '80s, which I would say is my biggest animation inspiration."[7]

Contents

Saturday Morning Watchmen stylized itself after the opening sequences of 1980s Saturday morning cartoons. The video begins with Ozymandias calling the Watchmen to stop the "Reds" from polluting a lake. The video then introduces the various Watchmen as comrades and lovable crimefighters. The characters dance, eat pizza, and teach lessons like saying no to drugs and getting to bed on time. A rock theme song plays, and the team unites in front of a logo at the clip's end.[4]

Watchmen elements

The short film claims to be a 1980s television version of Watchmen, and features Rorschach, Ozymandias, Silk Spectre II, The Comedian, Doctor Manhattan, Nite Owl II, Bubastis the genetically-engineered red and black-striped lynx, and the giant alien from the comics.[6] Concepts like Ozymandias' television room and Nite Owl's hovercraft also appear in the video.[4] However, many of the comic's concepts appear reversed, a slight at the sanitation of '80s programming. Nite Owl, a troubled and timid man in the comics, is portrayed as a carefree leader. Rorschach appears as a "nutty" character who is a "friend to the animals", and is shown petting a pair of German Shepherds. In the graphic novel, Rorschach kills the two dogs with a meat cleaver.[4][10] In addition, it depicts the Comedian as being attracted to Silk Spectre II, who is his daughter in the graphic novel.[4] The video also changes the comic's opening scene, having Ozymandias save The Comedian from falling out of a window rather than throwing him to his death.[4]

1980s cartoon elements

The video features numerous elements of '80s Saturday morning cartoons, including an opening rock theme song and a sanitation of dark themes and characters.[6] It also mocks the commercial nature that led cartoons to contain cheap animation and play off the popularity of established work.[11]

Reception

Dave Gibbons, artist for the Watchmen series, commented that he had seen the video and "loved it", remarking "The thing is, obviously they're having fun with it but the way it was done, you know that the person really cared about what they were doing…really knew Watchmen in detail."[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ Miller, Liz Shannon (6 March 2009). "Weekend Vid Picks: Watchmen Goes Viral". NewTeeVee. Retrieved 10 March 2009. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ Pepose, David (5 March 2009). "Can Watchmen possibly top this?". Newsarama. Retrieved 10 March 2009. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ Kohn, Eric (5 March 2009). "Saturday Morning Watchmen". indieWire. Retrieved 10 March 2009. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ a b c d e f Partridge, Harry (5 March 2009). "Saturday Morning Watchmen". YouTube.com. Retrieved 10 March 2009. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ Manco, Emanuele (8 March 2009). "Saturday Morning Watchmen" (in Italian). Fantasy Magazine. Retrieved 10 March 2009. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ a b c d e Goellner, Caleb (6 March 2009). "Saturday Morning 'Watchmen' Cartoon — The Stuff Of Alan Moore's Nightmares?". MTV. Retrieved 10 March 2009. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  7. ^ a b Bartkewicz, Anthony (9 March 2009). "'Watchmen' Reimagined as Kids' Cartoon". Fox WFXT. Retrieved 10 March 2009. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  8. ^ Smith, Kevin (5 March 2009). "Saturday Morning Watchmen". examiner.com. Retrieved 10 March 2009. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  9. ^ Stewart, Ryan (6 March 2009). "Watchmen: The Saturday Morning Cartoon". The Phoenix. Retrieved 10 March 2009. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  10. ^ Howells, Sacha (12 March 2009). "The Verdict: Megan Fox Goes Underwater and Tron 2 Spoilers. Plus another lame '80s toy heads to the screen, and Watchmen ... for the kids!". film.com. Retrieved 18 March 2009. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  11. ^ Dempsey, David (3 March 2009). "Today's webtip: Watch This". FM4. Retrieved 10 March 2009. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  12. ^ Moran, Michael (21 July 2009). "Dave Gibbons talks about the Watchmen DVD, and staying out of the water". The Times. Retrieved 10 August 2009. [dead link]
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