Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut
This is the version you want to watch. Not because it's the tightest or "best" version of the controversial movie, but because it's the most like the comic. You've either seen Watchmen or not and if you've seen it, and want to have it, you might as well go all out and get this. I enjoyed this quite a bit in the theaters, although there were certainly issues with it. Snyder did as bang up a job as could be expected of the "unfilmable" graphic novel. But this brings up a point, Watchmen is NOT a Graphic Novel. Watchmen, as you buy it today, is a Trade Paperback collection of a 12 issue mini series. It's serialized fiction. People ashamed to say they read comics call them graphic novels. This is a 12 issue paced series. It's not a cohesive story told in long form. It's 12 chapters of a whole. I wish people called them comics again... *sigh*
Batman Stuff
I don't need to tell yout that Batman Begins and The Dark Knight are must owns. Just make sure everyone in your life has seen these.
Superman II: The Donner Cut
If you're not familiar with it, Richard Donner was fired during filming of Superman II. The producers then hired Richard Lester, director of Beatles comedies, to finish the film. The result was a movie that had two different attitudes. They finally got around to paying Donner to put together "his" version of what Superman II would have been like. Some major differences, some scenes in this DVD are actually screen tests and the ending is a repeat of the first movie, which Donner wanted to use here instead. It's a really cool insight into the decisions behind a project.
A fun sidenote here, in the years prior to this edition being legitimately released, there was a bootleg "International" version that was sold at comic conventions. This was a fan made edition, trying to emulate what Donner actually did. I have a copy of that, purchased from Margot Kidder herself!
G.I. Joe: The Complete Series
Two things to recommend here, first is the original and always awesome complete series from the 80's. This footlocker collection is amazingly comprehensive, they have all the PSA Knowing Half the Battle stuff and a slew of interviews. If you grew up on this series, as I did, this is the collection to get. Plus the packaging is tops.
G.I. Joe Resolute
This is a new, update of the 80's concept. Not a reimagining, ala the subpar movie this summer, but a real spiritual successor. I watched it online in 12 minute segments and this edition is all of them put together. I think Warren Ellis had a hand in writing this too. It's exciting, there are actual deaths and the animation looks smooth. Highly recommended.
Transformers: The Complete Series
Just like the Joe Footlocker above, this one is comprehensive and cool as shit. Lots of interviews and extras on these discs. All the original episodes. The thing that Transformers did that Joe didn't, was establish a tiny bit of continuity and change as the series progressed. The last year really dealt with Optimus' death and there was some changes from ep to ep that wasn't widespread back then. Good stuff.
Notice that I had to avoid the Transformers and G.I. Joe movies. They're not the worst, but I couldn't in good concience recommend them to you good people.
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