A Review of Alan Moore's Acclaimed 'Watchmen'

Popular Graphic Novel Features Superheroes With Everyday Problems

Feb 9, 2009

With the "Watchmen" movie out in less than a month, store owners are finding it difficult to keep copies of the popular graphic novel on the shelves. Why all the hype?

Alan Moore is the author of many popular graphic novels, such as "V for Vendetta" and "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," but his most celebrated work is probably the 1986 graphic novel "Watchmen." In 2005, TIME Magazine named "Watchmen" one of their "All-Time 100 Novels." The movie version is set for release on March 6th, 2009.

The Gist

"Watchmen" follows the lives of ex-superheroes, some of whom were forced into retirement by anti-superhero legislation, some of whom retired of their own accord, and some of whom refuse to retire no matter what. These heroes are (for the most part) average people who worry about their friendships, their elderly parents, and their sex lives. When one of them, the ever-controversial Comedian, is brutally murdered, however, it seems the inactive masked adventurers have something much more sinister to worry about.

Rorschach, who is determined to continue fighting crime despite being considered a criminal, thinks that someone is picking off masked adventurers one by one. At first, his theories of a mask killer don't impress his ex-partner Nite Owl II or the godlike Dr. Manhattan and his girlfriend Laurie, the second Silk Spectre. But when an attempt is made on the life of Adrian Veidt, once the famous superhero, Ozymandias, the truth seems inevitable and a few of the heroes decide to come out of retirement to solve the case.

The Pros

Alan Moore's writing is stunning. Not only is he able to write believable dialogue featuring unbelievable concepts, he seems to enter the minds of each unique character and speak through them; each personality has a distinct and powerful voice that contributes to the telling of the story. He is also a master of juxtaposition; the story of "Watchmen" is told side by side with an issue of 'Tales from the Black Freighter,' a comic within a comic, and the truths the comic book castaway discovers about humanity emphasize themes present in the primary story.

It is the combination of Moore's writing with the brilliant art of Dave Gibbons that makes "Watchmen" the masterpiece it is. Gibbons, who has illustrated plenty of superhero comics, has a style perfectly suited to a graphic novel about the secret lives of superheroes and each panel pops with action or emotion or surprising amounts of both.

The Cons

A novel like "Watchmen" necessitates some suspension of disbelief, and if you're unwilling to make that sacrifice, you won't enjoy the story. The plot takes a lot of twists and turns, many of which involve paranormal occurrences that don't really stand up to reason. A man is able to piece together his body after being disintegrated by a government experiment. The 1980s see wonders such as airships and a genetically altered lynx. These and other details will delight fans of science fiction and fantasy, but if you can't play along, you may not have as much fun.

The Verdict

Those about to see the "Watchmen" movie should try to get a hold of the graphic novel first. It's quick pace and gripping story will have even non-readers hooked. It's depiction of a war-threatened 1980s filled with superheroes and airships is magical, yet convincing. It's considered one of the best novels written in the past century for a reason.

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