'Watchmen' prequels to be published

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- DC Entertainment plans to publish seven prequels to the 1986 graphic novel "Watchmen" by writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons, The Hollywood Reporter said.

The "Before Watchmen" books are to go on sale this summer. They will follow the iconic "Watchmen" characters Rorschach, Comedian, Dr. Manhattan, Nite Owl, Ozymandias and Silk Spectre.

Moore and Gibbons are not involved in the new series of books, each of which is being penned by a different writer.

"It's our responsibility as publishers to find new ways to keep all of our characters relevant," DC Entertainment co-publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee in a statement issued to The Hollywood Reporter. "After 25 years, the Watchmen are classic characters whose time has come for new stories to be told."

Director Zack Snyder adapted the graphic novel for the big screen in 2009.