Masked Heroes In Alan Moore's Watchmen

Watchmen, a graphic novel written by Alan Moore, tells the story of a group of masked heroes during a tense moment in the midst of the Cold War. Within the chapters, we are introduced to a multitude of characters and the relationships they maintain between each other. Through these, we are shown how individual perspectives and characteristics can be affected by the influences of those we are close to. Doctor Manhattan changes his opinion on human society after an in-depth conversation with Laurie, who's own personal views on fighting crime have been brightened through a closer relationship with Dan. Unfortunately, these character changes are not always positive. After being informed of a close friend's death, Dan has an uncharacteristic moment …show more content…
Although they were never contemporaries, Hollis having retired several years before Dan began fighting crime, the two share similar thoughts on the dissolution of masked heroes. Hollis finds it a "crying shame" (Moore 17) that the Keene Act outlawed masked crime fighting as Dan was "a better Nite Owl" (17) then he ever was. After Dan and Laurie, as the Nite Owl and Silk Spectre, break Rorschach out of jail, the two men go to a bar with the goal of finding out who attempted to kill Adrian Veidt. While interrogating several men, they find out that Hollis has been murdered by the Knot Tops, a New York gang, as a result of mistaken identity. Aware that he is partially to blame, Dan flies into a rage and begins to choke the man. It isn't until Rorschach tells Dan that he shouldn't be doing this "in front of civilians" (330), that Dan realizes what is happening and stops. The two head out into the night, and Dan returns his attention back to Adrain as a method of coping. Because Dan has been characterized as a calm, collected individual up until this point, the violent outburst gives him a darker side, making him more