Watchmen is a revolutionary piece of literature. It is technically a comic book, some prefer to call it a graphic novel. There is a negative connotation that goes along with that. Graphic novels are frequently presumed too childish and fantastic to actually teach any insightful lessons or even make you ponder them at all. Watchmen is a graphic novel that transcends this undue criticism of comic books. It is, “One of the first instances ... of [a] new kind of comic book ... a first phase of development, the transition of the superhero from fantasy to literature." (Klock, pgs. 25-26)
Alan Moore’s story offers an immersive and complex plot that raises all sorts of moral questions. It is an extraordinary work of literature that occupies a well deserved spot on TIME’s list of 100 Greatest Novels. Since Watchmen’s publication, many more authors involved in the comic book medium have created similarly respectable works, inspired by Moore’s down-to-earth story-telling.
Watchmen is set in an alternate version of 1985 where Nixon never resigned and had somehow repealed the 22nd Amendment. He is in his 3rd term as president when the story begins. Most of the events in the book take place in New York City. Cold War tensions are high between the U.S. and Russia. The only deterrent to Nuclear War is the presence of Dr. Manhattan. He is basically an omnipotent being (though he explains he is not a god), once human, who is fortunately on America’s side. Jon Osterman, as was Dr. Manhattan’s real name, was a member of the Watchmen, a disbanded group of masked vigilantes. The group was split up after the U.S. government passed the Keene Act, making vigilantism officially illegal.
Fear, a recurring theme in the story, caused the passing of the Keen...
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Klock, Geoff. "The Bat and the Watchmen: Introducing the Revisionary Superhero Narrative." How to read superhero comics and why. New York: Continuum, 2002. 25-26. Print.
Lamb, Robin. "Alan Moores Watchmen and its Reflections on Cold War Society."Alan Moores Watchmen and its Reflections on Cold War Society. RR Donnelley, 8 June 2012. Web. 18 Mar. 2014. .
Lewis, C. S.. "N." The weight of glory and other addresses. New York: Macmillan, 1949. 458. Print.
Rand, Ayn. Atlas shrugged. New York: Random House, 1957. Print.
www.tcj.com. "A Portal to Another Dimension: Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, and Neil Gaiman." The Comics Journal. TCJ, 6 June 2012. Web. 17 Mar. 2014. .
Merill, Walter, ed. "The Letters of William Lloyd Garrison" Volume 1. Cambridge: The Belknap Press of Harvard
Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces. 2nd ed. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1968.
“There is a fifth dimension beyond that known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, science and superstition and it lies between the pit of man’s fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is a dimension of imagination. It is an area we call The Twilight Zone!”
Through the character Rorshach, The Watchmen explores the issues of nature verses nurture for him. Moore adds that a super hero, can be a psychological argument. A super hero is neither born nor shaped by environment, it is the creation of an alter ego to suppress childhood conflicting inner issues. Rorshach dealt with issues as a young child that rationalized in his mind to hide behind a costume and a mask in order to live.
Ford, Richard. “Introduction” in : Yates, R., Revolutionary Road, (2001 edition), Methuen Publishing Ltd, London.
It is understandable to think that Rorschach is the most influential character in Watchmen, however it is clearly The Comedian due to his incredible influence of all the characters and the fact that his death sets the main plot in motion. Though his heroic code is not as strong and stable as Rorschach’s, The Comedian understands the world perfectly, but “he doesn’t care” (Moore, 4.19). Both of these characters saw the “true face” of this reality, one just fought against it while the other became a parody of it.
In their graphic novel Watchmen, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons establish their story during the Cold War period, when a group of superheroes tackle the task to save humanity from a potential World War III caused by tensions among governmental powers. Managed by the intelligence of Adrian Veidt, the worst was avoided after the attack of alien forces causes the death of millions of New Yorkers that leads to a temporary world peace. The representations of the Watchmen superheroes of Moore and Gibbons, particularly Rorschach, display the concept of heroism being a part of the real world, among the regular public of our society.
Collectively, the characters of Watchmen parallel the tumultuous relationship that as a superpower the United States of America has with the rest of the world. Edward Blake, aptly named The Comedian, viewed twentieth century life through a darkly tinted humorous lens. He viewed life as an absurd and meaningless notion, where all actions were ultimately driven by an innately selfish nature. Through his experiences in war, he becomes a “ruthless, cynical and nihilistic” man who is “capable of deeper insights than the others” in the room (Reynolds, 106). The Comedian derives his power from a complete and utter disregard for humanity.
Moore, Alan, Kevin O'Neill. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Canada: America's Best Comics, L.L.C., 2000.
To create living people should always be the goal in literature. It is how a writer can illuminate a new facet of existence and can only be achieved through the use of a sympathetic imagination. Hemingway erred however, when he argued, “A character is a caricature” (153). A caricature may be a character sometimes, but it may also be a fully realized and living person at others. As in Watchmen, when a caricature lives, it can be an extremely powerful thing.
Their contact with the British government is an ancestor of James Bond and, as in the Bond books and movies, the head of British intelligence is M, and his initial is a hint at his own fictional identity. Moore and O'Neill use these characters to play a sophisticated version of the fantasies kids indulge in about whether Superman could defeat Spider-Man. The graphic novels are written and drawn in a style that mingles the formality of Victorian literature with contemporary raunch and bloodthirstiness. When Hyde goes on a rampage we get to see him ripping bad guys quite literally in two, or chomping on their limbs. The Invisible Man takes advantage of the sexual liberties open to a man who can't be seen.
“A remarkable work, awesome in its conception and execution… at one and the same time a novel, a documentary, a memoir, and a comic book. Brilliant, just brilliant.”
Bellow, Saul. "Man Underground" Review of Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. Commentary. June 1952. 1st December 2001
Comic book readers worldwide are often divided into very distinct factions, Team Marvel or Team DC. Many debates have transpired that pitted the roster of superheroes for each company against one another. With very distinct characters, storylines, and visual presentation, both Marvel and DC Comics have found a way to coexist and come to dominate the comic book industry. Both the Marvel and DC comics are industry titans that have enjoyed unparalleled sales and success both domestically and internationally. While the two companies similarities have allowed them to coexist, it is their differences that have allowed both companies to thrive. Before discussing the differences between the two companies, it is important to note the similarities between the two in order to understand how their differences evoke such rabid support amongst each company’s fan base.
Alan Moore is a renowned writer. He uses the morality of his many characters to express flaws in humanity. Two of his greatest hits Watchmen and V for Vendetta, face moral dilemmas, two characters face the delima of either being ‘Heroes’ or ‘Terrorists’. Ozymandius is the world’s smartest man, he plans the destruction of millions for societies own good, V is a freedom fighter who is using excess force to bring down the corrupt government.