A new book published in the run-up to the Watchmen movie contains a familiar face (and navel). Watchmen: Portraits (Titan Books, $57.50) is by New York photographer Clay Enos, who took on still-photography duties for the Vancouver-filmed production. There among the full-page photos of stars like Jackie Earle Haley and Carla Gugino is Black Halos vocalist Billy Hopeless in his role as “Harry’s bar patron”.

“I got in the Watchmen doing background stuff, and then I got featured, which is pretty wicked,” Hopeless told the Straight. “Basically they said, ”˜Okay, we want you to be you,’ and I said, ”˜I can do that.’ ”

After his scene was shot, Enos took him aside for the picture, which captures Hopeless in even more indigent-looking form than usual, and with a healthy display of abdominal muff. “Those are my clothes. I’m into wearing undersized shirts these days,” he explained. When Hopeless found out about Watchmen: Portraits, he e-mailed Enos, who told him that his was one of the first pictures he chose when he compiled the book. “He said it was one of his favourites,” Hopeless said. Vancouverites might also spot another, more seasoned local punk legend on-screen when the film is released next Friday (March 6). The Pointed Sticks’ Tony Bardach is listed in the credits as “John with Rorschach’s mother”.