Watchmen is widely regarded as one of the biggest, groundbreaking projects in comic history, for a multitude of reasons. Created by Dave Gibbons and Alan Moore, the series effectively introduced the ‘anti-superhero’ troupe which has become so popular with series such as Invincible and The Boys coming out in recent years.
However, another Dave Gibbons project, one he collaborated on with Frank Miller, and led to one of the more iconic comic characters in recent times, also deserves its flowers. Give Me Liberty centered around the resilient and formidable Martha Washington, and arguably has all the hallmarks of a Zack Snyder cinematic adaptation.
Who is Martha Washington?
First introduced in Give Me Liberty (1990) by Dark Horse Comics, Martha Washington is a revolutionary figure in comic book history. Born in the dystopian Cabrini-Green housing project in 1995, Martha faces an oppressive society ruled by the corrupt President Erwin Rexall. Her intelligence and resourcefulness lead her to the PAX Peace Force, where she becomes an instrumental force in the Second American Civil War.
The series follows her journey through numerous trials, from battling deranged cattle ranchers in South America to confronting megalomaniacal leaders threatening global stability. Each installment expands her legend, culminating in Martha Washington Saves the World, where she takes on a rogue artificial intelligence. Gibbons, in an interview with the 13th Dimension, himself called it a ‘stonking read’:
I’d like people to be more aware of Martha Washington, which was the thing I did with Frank Miller. We quite recently had that all collected into a single volume called “The Life and Times of Martha Washington in the 21st Century,” which is all the Martha Washington stuff together and I think it’s a stonking read!
This series undoubtedly falls in line with the kind of work Zack Snyder has grown famous for. The character’s heart-wrenching journey, and the multi-layered storyline she has enjoyed not only screams for Snyder, but may also present a stellar work opportunity for none other than Lupita Nyung’o.
Why Lupita Nyong’o is the perfect choice for Martha Washington
An Academy Award-winning actress, Lupita Nyong’o has demonstrated her ability to portray complex characters. Her performances in Black Panther and Us highlight her range and emotional depth, both of which are crucial for bringing Martha Washington to life. Martha’s journey from a struggling young girl to a battle-hardened leader demands an actress with both gravitas and versatility—qualities Nyong’o possesses in abundance.
More than just an action-packed adventure, Give Me Liberty is a profound political satire that remains relevant today. Themes of government corruption, economic disparity, and technological overreach echo modern societal concerns. All in all, The Martha Washington series is a hidden gem that deserves wider recognition.
A Zack Snyder-led adaptation starring Lupita Nyong’o would not only honor the source material but also add substance to a genre that has often lacked the same, when it comes to overall storylines.
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