Essay Example on Watchmen: Who Is the Hero According to Alan Moore?

The watchman is an American comic book that was written by Alan Moore. This book was published in 1986 and 1987 by the DC comics, and it was collected into a single volume in 1987. Watchmen found its origin from a story proposal that was submitted by Alan Moore to DC presenting superhero characters who had been acquired by the company from Carton Comics. The paper discusses who would be considered as a hero in the comic story "Watchmen" by Alan Moore considering other definitions of a hero.

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Watchmen is described as a comic book that is made of psychologically and colorful, complex characters starting from Doctor Manhattan eery calmness to the passion and pent up rage of Rorschach. This book had come up with compelling narratives from its ambiguous themes, epic scope and also on how it reflects on the so-called heroes in the Watchmen comic story. At first, we are unable to focus on a certain character and label them as protagonist since the comic has been switching back and forth among the characters (Hughes, Jamie 548). Later on, we saw this comic focusing on a character known as Dan Dreiberg or else Nite Owl. We assume that Nite Owl is the protagonist of the Watchmen comic book since his character is seen as eccentric and most of the texts are seen in his eyes when compared with others. It is more surprising to find that even though Nite Owl is the comic protagonist, we find that he is not our real hero. Rorschach is the real hero of Watchmen comic story. There is a good example that clearly shows that Rorschach is the true hero in this story. The comic has been demonstrated that Rorschach had a quest for the truth which was a central aspect in this narrative while this was not the case to Nite Owl. Rorschach is likely to be the hero of Watchman story although we cannot describe him as the most controversial character in the book. Ozymandias had a devilish plan which was the epitome of an anti-hero. The reader is allowed to decide irrespective of whether Ozymandias actions were either condonable or not. There has been some doubt that Ozymandias is the most polarized, Nite Owl is described as the most conflicted while Rorschach is viewed as the most convicted character.

In the Watchmen comic story, Dan Drieberg is described as the most relatable character. Drieberg is also said to be possessing the most substantial character arc. Initially, we saw him as a lonely and disillusioned person who had forsaken the life of crime fighting. This character lived in the shadows of his past life as seen in from his dejected expression. However, Dan Drieberg kindling interest in Laurie made him get out from self-imposing exile (Hughes, Jamie 552). This made it easier for him to end up his emotional apathy and detachments. Whenever there were troubling political escalations, Drieberg was forced to get back to Nite Owl. He later joined Rorschach in which they together faced Ozymandias whose plans were exposed to them. Ozymandias did not believe whatever was being said and he was incredulous to it. In case the plans were shown to be real and also carried out, he faded back and couldn't do anything. Dan Drieberg didn't punish Ozymandias, but he stood there awkwardly (Garcia, Miguel). Philip Zimbardo labeled Nite Owl a "reluctant hero" showing that he had refused a call to action hence implicating that he is a supporter of the perpetrator of evil. This lead to an end of the trace of heroism that was by Nite Owl before. The comic story shows that he has become Dan Drieberg and the arc from man to a hero than to man is not present in any other character making it clear that this character is a protagonist in watchmen story though he is not a hero.

In the Watchmen comic story we initially see Ozymandias as the villain character in the book, but afterword he became into a more complex character. He is the person who initiated this scheme in which the whole plot is revolving around. In one way or another, his presence has been the key determiner of the outcome of the events more than any other character yet we do not label him as a hero since his motivations are dubious. Heroic actions are viewed as those that are performed in the absence of external gains being anticipated before an act. This is contrary to what was being done by Ozymandias who ensured that he had covered his bases, made investments in all correct ventures, and ensure he has been taken care of. Ozymandias cannot fit the model of a hero although he can fit in some aspects. His actions can be viewed as heroic since he is not obliged in carrying his plans. He is not forced to do what he had already done to anyone or other government systems. The conflicting ideas that Ozymandias had motivated into a fact that he is not a hero in Watchmen story. Dr. Manhattan didn't condemn nor condoned the actions of Ozymandias since Dr. Manhattan was an unbiased character leading to Ozymandias overall ambivalence morals. It is incorrect to label him as a villain nor a hero and therefore he is an anti-hero.

We define Rorschach as a hero character in the Watchmen story. This comic book fascinates in its heroism exploration and also on how tables are turned on the average superhero model. Every character in Watchmen comic is in different levels of psychopaths (Hughes, Jamie 553). The comedian is described as a psychopath who mercilessly made many people die throughout his campaigns. When compared to Ozymandias psychopathy we find that even the comedian cry. Rorschach was able to fit the bill so well. The superman was frying with his perfect morals through the air and arrived in time to defeat baddies. After Rorschach hearing that a woman was murdered and her neighbour did nothing, he made a choice. He seems to be disillusioned with the whole society and got focused on a single political spectrum that made him separate from the rest. He is aware of human affair states, and he attempted to as a judge to the criminals he captured. Rorschach is the only person who kept his convictions, and he said that evil was to be punished. He was able to defend his moral cause, and finally, he lost his life for it.

Based on the above discussion, we have into a conclusion that there is a blurred line between villains and heroes in Watchmen comic story and it is challenging to come up with a firm statement. When we define the term hero, we can argue in favor of or against the heroism of the characters. I have come into conclusion that Rorschach is the hero in the story, and Ozymandias anti-hero. No single character had perfectly fitted the assigned role, but Watchmen is nearer to reality than anyone else.

Works Cited

Garcia Perez, Miguel. "Heroes and Villains in Watchmen." (2018).

Hughes, Jamie A. "Who watches the watchmen?" ideology and "real world" superheroes." The Journal of Popular Culture 39.4 (2006): 546-557. doi:10.1111/j.1540-5931.2006.00278.x