Jared Matthews’s Reviews > Watchmen > Status Update

For Dan, being in costume is the source of his confidence. Without the costume, he’s constantly nostalgic about the old days and trying to downplay how much he misses it. He’s impotent and overthinks everything.

However, when the costume is on hes Nite Owl, always confident. He knows what to do and he does it. He has the ability to change the world. But it’s not so easy to take off the costume once it’s on.

Rorschach’s tormented childhood explains a lot about his occupation. Though comics idolize masked detectives uncovering conspiracies, in real life we all know people who fit that mold. They often aren’t those easiest to be around.

His childhood taught him that everything is black and white. No gray.

The choice/twist revealing Rorschach is the doomsayer was masterful. It reveals that the Doomsayers “true identity” is Rorschach, not the other way around.

Walter Kovacs is a deranged individual, disturbing all he comes into contact with. However, Rorschach makes a difference in the world. He is a man of action, not merely a man with a sign.

His arrest, and loss of costume, make for a loss of identity as well.

“You’ve arrived”
“Have I?” “Sometimes, I feel as if I’ve been here all the time.”

Despite the tragedy of the situation, governments and politicians take advantage of the situation. Not viewing him as a person that is suffering, but as someone to get on their side. Someone that can help their side win. Someone that can kill the other side. Regardless of what he wants.

Jon’s “origin story” is honestly heartbreaking. It is also horrifying. No part of it is “exciting” or cheery at his new powers. It’s shown as tragic.

It shows that a superhero that goes through drastic changes like this really has a tragic life. It changes who you really are, such that your family no longer recognizes you. Any powers you may have gained aren’t worth not recognizing yourself.

It’s pretty jarring in issue #3 how inhuman Dr Manhattan is. Despite trying to be “human” with romantic relationships, it’s clear that he is more concerned with other things. He is emotionally unavailable, and it’s not quite clear whether or not he even has emotions as we think about them.

It’s weird. It shouldn’t be, since he clearly is not human. But it’s unlike how alien heroes are usually shown

Fascinating how we almost expect anyone with the label “superhero” to have certain human aspects, even if it is quite clear that they are not human.

Superman and Martian Manhunter are both aliens and are different from humanity in a lot of ways. However, we expect the writers to keep them compassionate and understanding and generally human.

The Pagliacci joke is the punch line. While the heroes work to save those who need them. Who works to save the heroes when they need it? Who watches the Watchmen?

Not only is life as a hero unsustainable and dangerous, it cuts yourself off from any possible salvation or asylum when you need it.