If you visited your local comic shop yesterday to pick up your weekly subscriptions then you most likely got a little freebie comic giveaway titled After Watchmen...What's Next?  This little comic book sized advertisement is meant to introduce Watchmen fans to other works that are similar in nature, i.e. mature, serious and thoughtful.  While suggesting other DC published books that Watchmen readers might enjoy is a shamefaced bit of self promotion on DC's behalf it actually does list several books that are worth checking out. 

Briefly, the ad is divided up into chapters that showcase the following: more books by Alan Moore; books that push the boundaries of science fiction; best-selling books from best-selling authors; books that redefine modern super heroes; and books for mature readers.  Several of the titles listed most long term Watchmen fans have probably already read, but for the new readers of Watchmen who enjoyed the work and got into it this little freebie guide does give some strong recommendations.

Hey, if it brings more people into your local comic shop asking for these books that can't be bad for the health of the industry.  Especially since nowadays us collectors are finding that we have to be a bit more selective of what we spend our dollars on.  If some new readers grab up the titles listed in the guide then maybe the dollars will speak as votes and comic book storytelling will just continue to get better.  Not a bad deal.