Superlatives can sometimes be given carelessly, and can lose meaning. When one thinks of the ultimate deconstruction of the superhero genre, however, there is one piece that lives up to that superlative. For the past two decades, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen has captivated comic book fans and the uninitiated alike. This work paved the way for later writers to write what we think of as the modern graphic novel. It also helped people to see how serious superheroics can be, and how imperfect these larger than life people actually are.
The story appears at the surface to be a murder mystery, but as Moore and Gibbons weave their tapestry in the graphic novel, we see layer upon layer of depth of personality in each of the heroes. We understand why they became heroes, the flaws they are forced to deal with, and the compromises they must make. The characters, loosely based on characters created for Charlton Comics decades earlier, also share certain aspects with iconic characters such as DC Comics' Superman and Batman.
In Watchmen, Nite-Owl is a retired hero who relies on a slew of crimefighting gadgets. His direct correlation is to Charlton's Blue Beetle, but the Dark Knight Detective is also renowned for the wonderful gadgets and weapons he uses in his war on crime-from the mighty Batmobile to the mysterious Batcave. Also like Batman is Watchmen's Rorschach, a mysterious masked man who is doggedly determined to find the truth. Rorschach's relentless determination is shown to be the result of his childhood, just as Batman's was formed when young Bruce Wayne witnessed the death of his parents. The character of Rorschach is very popular among Watchmen fans, but he is also the book's most extreme personality, and frightening at times. How can one man undergo so much trauma and not be a little insane? While Batman is still in control of his faculties, Rorschach is not always, and if he is a more plausible version of Batman, he is nevertheless a more horrifying one.
Another character paralleling a famous hero is Dr. Manhattan. A being who sees in all four dimensions, including time, Dr. Manhattan is able to manipulate all matter at will, and he is in Watchmen the backbone of the U.S.'s defense program, the first living WMD. He sees humanity with a cold, distant logic, having become disconnected from humanity. In contrast, Superman is a very powerful being, arguably comics' most powerful, yet while he is alien, it is his humanity that makes him one of the greatest heroes. While Manhattan was for a long time a U.S. government agent, Superman is concerned for all, and does not actively serve one nation to the detriment of others. In reality, a being of such enormous power really would in all probability be taken in by the government and turned into a weapon. It's frightening to think what would happen if another country were to wield one, reassuring if your own nation has its own. Dr. Manhattan upsets the balance of power in the Watchmen world, and his presence makes all the difference. .
With the pending release of the movie, Watchmen sales have soared, and the title has become a household word. In response, DC Comics has issued three versions of this classic: Watchmen, a paperback graphic novel; an oversized edition called Absolute Watchmen, which showcases Gibbons' breathtaking art and contains extensive information on the development of this graphic novel; and a beautiful Watchmen hardcover, including sketches and exciting bonus material. Many people have been purchasing this graphic novel since the movie's trailer was released earlier in the year, and it is a highly recommended read, both for comic fans and anyone who enjoys intelligent storytelling and quality literature.
One of the best places to find Watchmen in all of its forms is Midtown Comics. Midtown Comics carries all the Watchmen collections and also has signed copies of Watching the Watchmen, an art book by Dave Gibbons which highlights his work on the series with exclusive behind-the-scenes sketches, roughs, and promotional art. Midtown has two New York City locations (one of which is the location of the Gunga Diner in Watchmen!) and a comprehensive website for your graphic novel needs, especially this classic. I hope you will now give this historic graphic novel a read, as it will open your eyes to the power of sequential art, and the vulnerability and depth of superheroes.
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