Do We Care About Watchmen?

The graphic novel the Watchmen is regarded as a hallmark in comic book storytelling; is that really the case even today? With the release of the film this Friday I decided to take a look at the long heralded adventure and see if it’s really such a big deal at all.

Admittedly, I had never heard of Watchmen until the movie was announced, though I also grew up as in marvel household, so once I became aware of the film I decided to pick up the novel. And I was completely shocked when my copy showed up, the book is a beast. Due to that sheer weighty mass, I was a little overwhelmed from the out right of just starting. Though enough of an inner calling to read moved me onwards and I began to tread along the great girth that is Watchmen.

Now, as I said, this graphic novel is beastly. But that’s because there is every last drop of bonus content possible. Introductions, character vignettes, of sorts, and every extra from the individual issues are available which serves to fill in the already meaty universe of Watchmen.

And that brings us to the key point of greatness with the Watchmen, its completely unique look at super heroes, and their world. In the story all costumes vigilantes have become outlawed. So we are able to see is how heroes, much more mature and real world, cope with their new lives, or continue on. Some continue to brandish their costumes as extremists, while others have completely normal lives. The question of which is real, the mask or the person wearing it is an ever present theme, as well as sexuality and violence. These kinds of themes are rarely so intimately or ever touched by other super hero comics. I’ve always related DC to being a more mature universe when compared to Marvel and with something as adult as Watchmen, you’d probably agree as well.
The most important thing though, and the point of this article, is asking whether or not this story is as monumental today as it was then, and yes it is. Perhaps not in all the same ways, with part of the plot pertaining to U.S. and Russian relations and fear of World War III, however the characters themselves are still completely dynamic and different when compared to many of the heroes I’ve followed through my years as a reader. Between Rorschach, a character completely consumed by his mask and sense of duty, to Nite Owl, a man hell bent to believe his time as a caped crusader has past and he’s now only a civilian, each of the main cast are extremely unique, passionate, relatable and sympathetic. The plot itself is maybe not as amazing, though the conclusion is a little jarring.
When you finish Watchmen, you have witnessed a completely self contained world. One you may return to and perhaps even yearn for more after finishing, and if that’s the case, then I would say Watchmen is stilling holding strong as one of the best graphic novels period.