Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons is arguably the most critically acclaimed graphic novel of our time, and for good reason. What makes Watchmen so compelling is it offers many different things to discuss. It can be read as a traditional comic book but at the same time gives the reader insight on end of the world scenarios, and shows us what life may be like with actual superheroes, given the realistic back stories of the characters, Watchmen has a unique complexity that can be discussed in so many different realms. The simple fact that the story is told using the form of a graphic novel means the reader has to comprehend and analyze the story in ways they never have before. The authors use many different techniques to help the compelling
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Through this mystery, we learn about all the major characters and what they mean to the case and the story as a whole. Moore and Gibbons use devices such as setting shifts and flashbacks to effectively develop the plot. Rorschach sees the death of the Comedian as foreshadowing of future murders on masked heroes. He takes it upon himself to investigate the case. In doing so, he takes a visit to all his former vigilantes. Moore and Gibbons continue to use his journal to give us the inner working of Rorschach’s psychological mind. He has a very grim view of the world and this is seen in the opening chapter, “Rorschach's Journal. October 12th, 1985.: ... This city is afraid of me. I have seen its true face. The streets are extended gutters and the gutters are full of blood and when the drains finally scab over, all the vermin will drown (Moore 9). We quickly see that he is visiting former masked heroes that no longer want anything to do with …show more content…
Long asks Kovacs to discuss Rorschach, he describes a story where a customer of the garment factory he worked at was raped and tortured outside of her apartment. He recalls the neighbors just watching, and not calling the police. It was at this moment that he realized people are behind all immorality. He took a piece of her garment and used it as the mask we now see him wearing. At this point, Rorschach identified more so with his vigilante identity rather than his actual persona. This is evident when he refers to his mask as his face. He even gets frustrated when Dr. Moore refers to him as Kovacs rather than Rorschach. Rorschach views himself as something more than human, a god-like figure that is morally obligated to provide justice. Next, Moore and Gibbons use another textual supplement in the form of a police file on Kovacs to provide more context on his character and his unchecked power. We then see a note written by Kovacs when he was a child, showing us a much more humanistic and innocent side. The authors do a good job of making us wonder if we should sympathize with Rorschach. It is tough to say, but at times you begin to understand and justify his actions given his awful
Through this mystery, we learn about all the major characters and what they mean to the case and the story as a whole. Moore and Gibbons use devices such as setting shifts and flashbacks to effectively develop the plot. Rorschach sees the death of the Comedian as foreshadowing of future murders on masked heroes. He takes it upon himself to investigate the case. In doing so, he takes a visit to all his former vigilantes. Moore and Gibbons continue to use his journal to give us the inner working of Rorschach’s psychological mind. He has a very grim view of the world and this is seen in the opening chapter, “Rorschach's Journal. October 12th, 1985.: ... This city is afraid of me. I have seen its true face. The streets are extended gutters and the gutters are full of blood and when the drains finally scab over, all the vermin will drown (Moore 9). We quickly see that he is visiting former masked heroes that no longer want anything to do with …show more content…
Long asks Kovacs to discuss Rorschach, he describes a story where a customer of the garment factory he worked at was raped and tortured outside of her apartment. He recalls the neighbors just watching, and not calling the police. It was at this moment that he realized people are behind all immorality. He took a piece of her garment and used it as the mask we now see him wearing. At this point, Rorschach identified more so with his vigilante identity rather than his actual persona. This is evident when he refers to his mask as his face. He even gets frustrated when Dr. Moore refers to him as Kovacs rather than Rorschach. Rorschach views himself as something more than human, a god-like figure that is morally obligated to provide justice. Next, Moore and Gibbons use another textual supplement in the form of a police file on Kovacs to provide more context on his character and his unchecked power. We then see a note written by Kovacs when he was a child, showing us a much more humanistic and innocent side. The authors do a good job of making us wonder if we should sympathize with Rorschach. It is tough to say, but at times you begin to understand and justify his actions given his awful