I am not an avid comic book reader, but I found The Watchmen to be an extremely thrilling, dramatic book. Reading a comic is a completely different experience from reading a novel–the illustrations provide the symbolism, foreshadowing and themes while the dialogue is more specific, relaying “need to know” information. Sometimes I find authors can be too wordy, so it’s interesting to read something in which every word is necessary. But reading is only half of the comic book experience–readers must pay close attention to the illustrations, as there are always elements one may not see at first glance. Dave Gibbons and John Higgins created explosive depictions of Alan Moore’s story.
The Watchmen starts out with a bang as two NYC detectives are investigating the murder of Eddie Blake, better known as The Comedian, a masked adventurer (superhero). Who would have done such a thing? Political reasons? Afterall, Blake had been working for Nixon for several years and as we later find out Blake is a bit of a hot head. But still, who would want to attempt to kill one of America’s superheros? As the detectives follow their leads, another hero by the name of Rorschach-also known as Walter Kovacs–(named this due to his ever changing ink blot mask) has a bad feeling about this murder and takes it upon himself to solve the mystery. Rorscach’s journal entries become a staple throughout the comic, allowing the readers to get an inside view into Rorscach’s cynical and bitter mind. As Rorscach tries to unravel the meaning of Blake’s murder, we meet other famed heroes: Nite Owl–Dan Drieber–he is the second Nite Owl, replacing the original Nite Owl (Hollis Mason) when he retired; Silk Spectre–Laurie Juspeczyk–daughter of the original Silk Spectre; Dr. Manhatten–John–a scientist who suffered a terrible accident in his 30s, making him the only superhero with actual superpwers. He can teleport, deconstruct particles with his mind, grow in size, etc.. The final superhero in the bunch is Ozymandias–Adrian Veidt–now a successful business man who was dubbed “the smartest man in America.”
All these heroes have been in active for some time due to political and personal reasons. Rorscach visits all his old superhero buddies to explain his theory on Blake’s death. He believes someone wants to eliminate all the masked adventurers for some bigger cause. Initially, many of them are skeptical but the disapperance of another one of their own, as well as, some influential painters and writers and a frame job that lands Rorscach in jail, opens their eyes and they re-unite to, as corny as it sounds, “save the world.”
Throughout the novel, Moore offers intimate flashbacks on each of the superheroes including the previous generation of heroes. Readers begin to understand each heroes personality and how fitting their superhero alter ego is. Some of the heroes entered the dangerous world of adventuring through their passion to help others, some out of obligation and others out of greed.
Moore also incorporates the cultural phenomenon of 1980s America. Vietnam was over but the Cold War was still raging on, the Russians were talking about nuclear warfar and the city streets were filled with drugs and violence.
The Watchmen offers an exciting plotline, honest and multi dimensional characters and makes for a terrific read, even if you’re not into comic books.
