We all didn’t want it to be true, but as the rumors kept surfacing, we were able to prepare for disappointment. Now, DC Comics has made it absolutely official. With Watchmen still retaining the same appeal it’s had since released in the 80s, and the film adaptation speaking plenty of interest once more despite the film itself, DC Comics has officially announced today that this summer there will be a prequel series to the hit comics title.

SuperheroHype reported the news, saying that a total of seven titles would be released this summer with multiple issues on Rorshach, Ozymandias, Dr. Manhattan, Nite Owl, Silk Spectre, Comedian, and Minutemen, all ranging between 4 and 6 issues a piece. Every issue will have a two-page conjoined story called the Crimson Corsair, and works almost as a Tales of the Black Freighter successor.

Here are the collective artwork covers for the titles (with the exception of Rorshach), with sources and links to various interviews drom DC’s The Source here. (Click to enlarge):

Finally, is the full press release, including artists, issue numbers, and quotes from inside DC:

This summer, DC Entertainment will publish all-new stories expanding on the acclaimed “Watchmen” universe. As highly anticipated as they are controversial, the seven inter-connected prequel mini-series will build on the foundation of the original “Watchmen,” the bestselling graphic novel of all time. Before Watchmen will be the collective banner for all seven titles, from DC Comics.

“It’s our responsibility as publishers to find new ways to keep all of our characters relevant,” said DC Entertainment Co-Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee. “After twenty five years, the Watchmen are classic characters whose time has come for new stories to be told. We sought out the best writers and artists in the industry to build on the complex mythology of the original.”

Stepping up to the challenge is a group of the comic book industry’s most iconoclastic writers and artists – including Brian Azzarello (“100 Bullets”), Lee Bermejo (“Joker”), Amanda Conner (“Power Girl”), Darwyn Cooke (“Justice League: New Frontier”), John Higgins (“Watchmen”), Adam Hughes (“Catwoman”), J.G. Jones (“Final Crisis”), Andy Kubert (“Flashpoint”), Joe Kubert (“Sgt. Rock”), Jae Lee (“Batman: Jekyll and Hyde”), J. Michael Straczynski (“Superman: Earth One”) and Len Wein (“Swamp Thing”).

Before Watchmen includes:

RORSCHACH (4 issues) – Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: Lee Bermejo
MINUTEMEN (6 issues) – Writer/Artist: Darwyn Cooke
COMEDIAN (6 issues) – Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: J.G. Jones
DR. MANHATTAN (4 issues) – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artist: Adam Hughes
NITE OWL (4 issues) – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artists: Andy and Joe Kubert
OZYMANDIAS (6 issues) – Writer: Len Wein. Artist: Jae Lee
SILK SPECTRE (4 issues) – Writer: Darwyn Cooke. Artist: Amanda Conner

Each week, a new issue will be released, and will feature a two-page back-up story called CURSE OF THE CRIMSON CORSAIR, written by original series editor Len Wein and with art by original series colorist John Higgins. There will also be a single issue, BEFORE WATCHMEN: EPILOGUE, featuring the work of various writers and artists, and a CRIMSON CORSAIR story by Wein and Higgins.

“The original series of ‘Watchmen’ is the complete story that Alan Moore and I wanted to tell. However, I appreciate DC’s reasons for this initiative and the wish of the artists and writers involved to pay tribute to our work. May these new additions have the success they desire,” said Dave Gibbons, “Watchmen” co-creator and original series artist.

“Comic books are perhaps the largest and longest running form of collaborative fiction,” said DiDio and Lee. “Collaborative storytelling is what keeps these fictional universes current and relevant.”