If you track this blog with any frequency, then you probably know that we are geeked for the March 6th release — that’s this Friday, yo! — of Watchmen, a comic book movie adapted from the now legendary and symbolically rich graphic novel of the same name (the anti-comic book comic book long thought by some to be “unfilmable”). As with any kind of highly anticipated blockbuster like this, there promises to be a vast cross section of related merchandise and ancillary tie-ins available for purchase, including, naturally enough, t-shirts.
At the suggestion of Andy over at Thunderfrogs, I took it upon myself to assess the current marketplace over the weekend. An hour or so of simple Google sleuthing turned up a raft of interesting Watchmen-related designs and motifs. Below are 10 12 of them, both old and new, official and fanmade, rare and mass produced, compiled in no particular order.
1. This neat spoof from Go Ape creatively depicts each of the film’s 6 chief characters in watch form, hence its playful moniker “Who Watches the Watches?”. Printed on teal American Apparel blanks, it retails online for $18, plus shipping.
2. The most ruthless of the Watchmen, the vigilante Rorschach has always enjoyed a strong following with the comic book cognoscenti. This officially-licensed tee perfectly captures his outlaw appeal and noir-ish, brooding qualities.
3. Australian designer James Lillis has parodied all manner of pop culture icons (via both tees and prints), but this new shirt riffing on Pac Man and Watchmen ranks among his smartest creations.
Bonus: you can read an informative interview with Lillis that touches on this design here.
4. Hot Topic is selling a wide assortment of Watchmen products, including this simple shirt with the movie’s de facto slogan. It poses a timeless and important question, and it won’t go out of style.
5. Hot Topic is also carrying this bulletproof hoodie for those that want to hide their arms. On the front, we have the classic Watchmen logo; on the back, the slogan. $48.
6. If you want a more distinguished (and rarer) Watchmen tee, try on this stunning vintage design I found on eBay. According to the item description, the owner bought two “way back when” in the 80s. He wears one regularly, but left the other unopened and unworn. Sounds like quite the deadstock find…
UPDATE: this auction has ended early with the “Buy-It Now” feature.
7. Also found on eBay is this unique, homemade stencil design featuring Rorschach on the front and one of his signature quotes on the back. Seems to be of dubious legality, but hey… that’s neither here nor there.
8. Naturally enough, the Watchmen’s iconic cover art has crossed over into tee form. Get it here in a variety of colors and sizes.
9. Alan Moore, the creative genius who penned the Watchmen story, is a notorious recluse, said to have furiously sworn off all involvement with any film projects adapted from his collected body of work. His fans are legion, and they are devoted. To wit, peep out this shirt that pays homage to his growing cult:
10. Fictional brands have a way of jumping into real life. To this end, check out a promotional tee for Mason Auto Repair, a company that is owned and operated by the original Night Owl, Hollis Mason. (It was featured in the graphic novel and I assume it will make an appearance in the flick). I’m not enamored with the design, but it’s a cool slice of Watchmen-ephemera nonetheless.
Bonus Tees: Clothing company FamousAfterDeath has a pair of bitchin’ Rorschach-themed tops. The first shows his face morphing via a series of ink blots; the second lovingly lampoons Sheppard Fairey’s Hope prints. They will set you back $24 a pop.
Want to see what all the fuss is about? Watch the 3rd and final trailer:
Feedback? Ideas? Suggestions? Correspond with me: travis@founditemclothing.com
Really great list. I wish I had seen this before my post, too, but I’m glad that someone can read both without feeling like they’re looking at the same tee(s). Since yours is a list, though, I guess that wouldn’t have been the case anyway – people would probably have just skipped over mine!
Pingback: Tee of the Week: Watchmen Logo
Pingback: Arms Race: The Top 20 Tees of 2009