Comic Book Analysis

Review: Watchmen – The Graphic Novel That Changed Everything Publisher: DC Comics Year: 1986 – 1987 Writer: Alan Moore Artist: Dave Gibbons Colourist: John Higgins When Watchmen was first released in 1986, it didn’t just tell a story; it deconstructed an entire medium. Written by the legendary Alan Moore and illustrated by the meticulous Dave Gibbons, this 12-issue limited series (now collected as a single graphic novel) is widely considered the “Citizen Kane” of comic books. But nearly 40 years later, does it still hold up? In this review, we revisit the dystopian world of 1985 to see if the Doomsday Clock is still ticking. The Plot: Who Kills the Peacemakers? The story takes place in an alternate 1985 where superheroes (masked vigilantes) are real, but their presence has altered history. The US won the Vietnam War thanks to the god-like Dr. Manhattan, Richard Nixon is still President, and the Cold War is on the brink of nuclear annihilation. The plot kicks off with the murder of The Comedian, a cynical, government-sanctioned hero. His death triggers an investigation by the unstable vigilante Rorschach, who uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to kill millions to save billions. Unlike traditional superhero tales, Watchmen isn’t about saving the day—it’s about the cost of peace and the moral gray areas of power. Character Analysis: Archetypes Deconstructed One of Moore’s greatest achievements is taking the “Charlton Comics” archetypes and twisting them into realistic, flawed human beings. Rorschach (Walter Kovacs): The narrator for much of the book, Rorschach is an absolutist. He sees the world in black and white, refusing to compromise even in the face of Armageddon. He is a fascinating, terrifying look at what happens when a Batman-type figure has no wealth or stability. Dr. Manhattan (Jon Osterman): The only character with actual superpowers. Moore uses him to explore existentialism and detachment. If you could see all of time at once and rearrange atoms with a thought, would human life still matter to you? Ozymandias (Adrian Veidt): The smartest man in the world. He represents the pinnacle of human potential but also the danger of utilitarianism—the idea that the ends always justify the means. Nite Owl (Dan Dreiberg) & Silk Spectre (Laurie Juspeczyk): The most “human” characters, representing the struggle of ordinary people trying to find connection in a world that is falling apart. Visual Mastery: The 9-Panel Grid While Alan Moore’s script is dense and poetic, the visual storytelling by Dave Gibbons is what makes Watchmen a technical masterpiece. Gibbons famously utilised a strict nine-panel grid for almost the entire book. This rigid structure gives the story a rhythmic, ticking-clock pacing. It allows for incredible control over the reader’s eye, making the few moments where the grid breaks (like the giant squid or Dr. Manhattan on Mars) feel truly massive and shocking. John Higgins’ coloring also deserves praise. He avoided the primary colors typical of superheroes, opting instead for a secondary palette of sickly purples, oranges, and greens, giving the world a bruised, uneasy feeling. Key Themes: “Who Watches the Watchmen?” The book’s central question—Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?—is more relevant today than ever. Power and Accountability: In a world where individuals have the power to level cities, who holds them accountable? Moore argues that power inevitably corrupts and isolates. Cold War Anxiety: The looming threat of nuclear war permeates every page. While the Soviet Union is gone, the modern anxiety of global conflict makes this fear relatable to new readers. Deconstruction of the Hero: Watchmen asks: What kind of person would actually put on a mask to fight crime? The answer isn’t a noble altruist; it’s usually someone with deep psychological trauma or a fetish for violence. Is Watchmen Good for New Readers? Verdict: Proceed with Caution. While it is often cited as the “best” graphic novel, it is not the best first graphic novel. As noted in our original review, Watchmen is a satire of superhero tropes. If you don’t know the tropes, you might miss the satire. It’s like trying to appreciate Shrek without ever having seen a Disney fairy tale. You will still enjoy the story, but you won’t catch the subversion. We recommend reading classics like Batman: Year One or All-Star Superman first to understand what Moore is dismantling. Final Verdict Watchmen is a dense, literary, and challenging read. It requires patience, but it rewards you with one of the most intricately plotted mysteries in fiction. The symmetry of the chapters (especially the “Fearful Symmetry” issue) is a masterclass in storytelling that has never been replicated. Whether you’ve seen the Zack Snyder movie or the HBO sequel series, nothing compares to the original text. Score: 10/10 – Essential Reading. More Reviews from BGCP If you enjoyed our deep dive into Watchmen, check out our reviews of other seminal works: Review: Batman The Killing Joke Review: V for Vendetta Review: Swamp Thing – The Root of All Evil