Spring Break
Gearing up for 'Watchmen' release
Ross Leonard
Issue date: 3/6/09 Section: Diversions
"Watchmen," a superhero story like no other, is a 12-part comic book series originally published by DC Comics between 1986 and 1987. Shortly after, they were compiled and sold as a graphic novel. The story was written by Alan Moore, who also wrote, among others, "V for Vendetta," "From Hell" and "The League of Extraordinary Gentleman," which movie adaptations you may be familiar with.
"Watchmen" takes place in the United States during the era of tension with Soviet Union, in which nuclear arms were pointed at each other. But in the novel, the universe is an alternate one in which these "superheroes" have intervened in historical events, most notably the Vietnam War.
The heroes in this story are everyday people acting as vigilantes who dress up in costumes and try to make a difference in the world. Besides Dr. Manhattan, who obtains his powers through a freak accident at work that leaves him with god-like powers, none of the heroes have special powers. The government has outlawed superheroes, so most are retired. However, the government has chosen to employ a select few to aid in political issues, like Vietnam.
Dr. Manhattan happens to be the U.S. government's secret weapon at the end of the war. Rorschach is a misfit, the bad boy of the group who inflicts pain on his enemies using his bare hands. He wears a Rorschach mask, which is a mask that resembles the ink blot test of the same name, which is considered his "real" face. Behind this mask is a mind filled with a disturbing and horrendous past.
Ozymandias is the world's smartest man. This and his Egyptian fetish combine to make a solid fighter unafraid of mental or physical combat. Nite Owl, the conservative gadget buff, hides in a basement reminiscent to that of the Bat-cave.
The Comedian, an American hero, is a man who gets what he wants by any means, even if it means hurting others in the process. Rounding out the group is Silk Spectre, the lone watchwoman. She keeps the family business alive while following in her mother's footsteps of crime fighting.
"Watchmen" takes place in the United States during the era of tension with Soviet Union, in which nuclear arms were pointed at each other. But in the novel, the universe is an alternate one in which these "superheroes" have intervened in historical events, most notably the Vietnam War.
The heroes in this story are everyday people acting as vigilantes who dress up in costumes and try to make a difference in the world. Besides Dr. Manhattan, who obtains his powers through a freak accident at work that leaves him with god-like powers, none of the heroes have special powers. The government has outlawed superheroes, so most are retired. However, the government has chosen to employ a select few to aid in political issues, like Vietnam.
Dr. Manhattan happens to be the U.S. government's secret weapon at the end of the war. Rorschach is a misfit, the bad boy of the group who inflicts pain on his enemies using his bare hands. He wears a Rorschach mask, which is a mask that resembles the ink blot test of the same name, which is considered his "real" face. Behind this mask is a mind filled with a disturbing and horrendous past.
Ozymandias is the world's smartest man. This and his Egyptian fetish combine to make a solid fighter unafraid of mental or physical combat. Nite Owl, the conservative gadget buff, hides in a basement reminiscent to that of the Bat-cave.
The Comedian, an American hero, is a man who gets what he wants by any means, even if it means hurting others in the process. Rounding out the group is Silk Spectre, the lone watchwoman. She keeps the family business alive while following in her mother's footsteps of crime fighting.
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