View source for Watchmen

{{short description|Comics by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons}}
{{About|the comic book series|other uses}}
{{featured article}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox graphic novel
|image           = Watchmen, issue 1.jpg
|caption         = Cover of ''Watchmen'' #1 (September 1986)<br />Art by [[Dave Gibbons]]
|publisher       = [[DC Comics]]
|date            = 1986–1987
|origpublication = Watchmen
|origissues      = 12
|origdate        = September 1986 – October 1987
|writer          = [[Alan Moore]]
|artist          = [[Dave Gibbons]]
|inkers          = 
|colorist        = [[John Higgins (comics)|John Higgins]]
|editors         = {{plainlist|
*[[Len Wein]]
*[[Barbara Kesel]]
}}
}}
'''''Watchmen''''' is a [[comic book]] [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]] by the British creative team of writer [[Alan Moore]], artist [[Dave Gibbons]] and colorist [[John Higgins (comics)|John Higgins]]. It was published monthly by [[DC Comics]] in 1986 and 1987 before being collected in a single-volume edition in 1987. ''Watchmen'' originated from a story proposal Moore submitted to DC featuring [[superhero]] characters that the company had acquired from [[Charlton Comics]]. As Moore's proposed story would have left many of the characters unusable for future stories, managing editor [[Dick Giordano]] convinced Moore to create original characters instead.

Moore used the story as a means of reflecting contemporary anxieties, deconstructing and satirizing the superhero concept and making political commentary. ''Watchmen'' depicts an [[alternate history]] in which superheroes emerged in the 1940s and 1960s and their presence changed history so that the United States won the [[Vietnam War]] and the [[Watergate scandal]] was never exposed. In 1985, the country is edging toward [[World War III]] with the [[Soviet Union]], freelance costumed vigilantes have been outlawed and most former superheroes are in retirement or working for the government. The story focuses on the protagonists' personal development and [[Moral ambiguity|moral struggles]] as an investigation into the murder of a government-sponsored superhero pulls them out of retirement.

Gibbons uses a nine-panel grid layout throughout the series and adds recurring symbols such as a blood-stained [[smiley|smiley face]]. All but the last issue feature supplemental fictional documents that add to the series' backstory and the narrative is intertwined with that of another story, an in-story pirate comic titled ''Tales of the Black Freighter'', which one of the characters reads. Structured at times as a [[nonlinear narrative]], the story skips through space, time and plot. In the same manner, entire scenes and dialogues have parallels with others through [[synchronicity]], [[coincidence]], and repeated imagery.

A commercial success, ''Watchmen'' has received critical acclaim both in the comics and mainstream press. ''Watchmen'' was recognized in ''Time''{{'}}s [[Time's List of the 100 Best Novels|List of the 100 Best Novels]] as one of the best English language novels published since 1923. In a retrospective review, the [[BBC]]'s Nicholas Barber<!-- writer redlinked at [[Nicholas Barber]] "who worked with Nick Percival"? --> described it as "the moment comic books grew up".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20160809-watchmen-the-moment-comic-books-grew-up |title=Watchmen: The moment comic books grew up |last=Barber |first=Nicholas |date=August 9, 2016 |publisher=[[BBC]]|access-date=August 9, 2016|archive-date=August 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810210547/http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20160809-watchmen-the-moment-comic-books-grew-up|url-status=live}}</ref> Moore opposed this idea, stating, "I tend to think that, no, comics hadn't grown up. There were a few titles that were more adult than people were used to. But the majority of comics titles were pretty much the same as they'd ever been. It wasn't comics growing up. I think it was more comics meeting the emotional age of the audience coming the other way."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watchmen author Alan Moore: 'I'm definitely done with comics' {{!}} Alan Moore {{!}} ''The Guardian'' |url=https://amp.theguardian.com/books/2022/oct/07/watchmen-author-alan-moore-im-definitely-done-with-comics |access-date=November 17, 2022 |website=amp.theguardian.com |archive-date=November 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111214836/https://amp.theguardian.com/books/2022/oct/07/watchmen-author-alan-moore-im-definitely-done-with-comics |url-status=live }}</ref>

After several attempts to adapt the series into a feature film, director [[Zack Snyder]]'s ''[[Watchmen (2009 film)|Watchmen]]'' was released in 2009. An episodic video game, ''[[Watchmen: The End Is Nigh]]'', was released to coincide with the film's release.

DC Comics published ''[[Before Watchmen]]'', a series of nine [[prequel]] miniseries, in 2012, and ''[[Doomsday Clock (comics)|Doomsday Clock]]'', a 12-issue limited series and [[sequel]] to the original ''Watchmen'' series, from 2017 to 2019 – both without Moore's or Gibbons' involvement. The second series integrated the ''Watchmen'' characters within the [[DC Universe]]. A standalone sequel, ''[[Rorschach (comic book)|Rorschach]]'' by [[Tom King (writer)|Tom King]], began publication in October 2020. A [[Watchmen (TV series)|television continuation]] to the original comic, set 34 years after the comic's timeline, was broadcast on [[HBO]] from October to December 2019 with Gibbons' involvement. Moore has expressed his displeasure with adaptations and sequels of ''Watchmen'' and asked it not be used for future works.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://qz.com/quartzy/1732050/why-alan-moore-wants-nothing-to-do-with-hbos-watchmen/ |title=HBO's "Watchmen" is great. Its comic creator Alan Moore wants nothing to do with it |last=Epstein |first=Adam |website=Quartz |date=October 21, 2019 |language=en|access-date=March 30, 2020|archive-date=April 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404032544/https://qz.com/quartzy/1732050/why-alan-moore-wants-nothing-to-do-with-hbos-watchmen/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Publication history ==
''Watchmen'', created by writer [[Alan Moore]] and artist [[Dave Gibbons]], first appeared in the 1985 issue of DC Spotlight, the 50th anniversary special. It was eventually published as a 12-issue [[Limited series (comics)|maxiseries]] from [[DC Comics]], [[cover-date]]d September 1986 to October 1987.<ref name=gcd>{{cite web |url=https://www.comics.org/series/3172/ |title=Watchmen |website=[[Grand Comics Database]] |access-date=September 18, 2022 |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171008/https://www.comics.org/series/3172/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|+ class="nowrap" | Publication details
|-
! {{abbr|No.|Issue number}}
! Title
! Publication date
! On-sale date
! {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| {{center|1}}
| "At Midnight, All the Agents..."
| September 1986
| May 13, 1986
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comics.org/issue/41815/ |title=Watchmen #1 |website=[[Grand Comics Database]] |access-date=September 18, 2022 |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920172606/https://www.comics.org/issue/41815/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
|-
| {{center|2}}
| "Absent Friends"
| October 1986
| June 10, 1986
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comics.org/issue/41914/ |title=Watchmen #2 |website=[[Grand Comics Database]] |access-date=September 18, 2022 |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170943/https://www.comics.org/issue/41914/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
|-
| {{center|3}}
| "The Judge of All the Earth"
| November 1986
| July 8, 1986
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comics.org/issue/42032/ |title=Watchmen #3 |website=[[Grand Comics Database]] |access-date=September 18, 2022 |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170444/https://www.comics.org/issue/42032/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
|-
| {{center|4}}
| "Watchmaker"
| December 1986
| August 12, 1986
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comics.org/issue/42144/ |title=Watchmen #4 |website=[[Grand Comics Database]] |access-date=September 18, 2022 |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171829/https://www.comics.org/issue/42144/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
|-
| {{center|5}}
| "Fearful Symmetry"
| January 1987
| September 9, 1986
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comics.org/issue/42357/ |title=Watchmen #5 |website=[[Grand Comics Database]] |access-date=September 18, 2022 |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171053/https://www.comics.org/issue/42357/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
|-
| {{center|6}}
| "The Abyss Gazes Also"
| February 1987
| October 14, 1986
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comics.org/issue/42475/ |title=Watchmen #6 |website=[[Grand Comics Database]] |access-date=September 18, 2022 |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171547/https://www.comics.org/issue/42475/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
|-
| {{center|7}}
| "A Brother to Dragons"
| March 1987
| November 11, 1986
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comics.org/issue/42595/ |title=Watchmen #7 |website=[[Grand Comics Database]] |access-date=September 18, 2022 |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170712/https://www.comics.org/issue/42595/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
|-
| {{center|8}}
| "Old Ghosts"
| April 1987
| December 9, 1986
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comics.org/issue/42714/ |title=Watchmen #8 |website=[[Grand Comics Database]] |access-date=September 18, 2022 |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171719/https://www.comics.org/issue/42714/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
|-
| {{center|9}}
| "The Darkness of Mere Being"
| May 1987
| January 13, 1987
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comics.org/issue/42835/ |title=Watchmen #9 |website=[[Grand Comics Database]] |access-date=September 18, 2022 |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171015/https://www.comics.org/issue/42835/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
|-
| {{center|10}}
| "Two Riders Were Approaching..."
| July 1987
| March 17, 1987
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comics.org/issue/43067/ |title=Watchmen #10 |website=[[Grand Comics Database]] |access-date=September 18, 2022 |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170722/https://www.comics.org/issue/43067/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
|-
| {{center|11}}
| "Look on My Works, Ye Mighty..."
| August 1987
| May 19, 1987
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comics.org/issue/43201/ |title=Watchmen #11 |website=[[Grand Comics Database]] |access-date=September 18, 2022 |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170323/https://www.comics.org/issue/43201/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
|-
| {{center|12}}
| "A Stronger Loving World"
| October 1987
| July 28, 1987
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comics.org/issue/43445/ |title=Watchmen #12 |website=[[Grand Comics Database]] |access-date=September 18, 2022 |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171459/https://www.comics.org/issue/43445/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
|}

It was subsequently collected in 1987 as a DC Comics [[Trade paperback (comics)|trade paperback]] that has had at least 24 printings as of March 2017;<ref name=gcd-dctradepaper>[http://www.comics.org/series/3392/ ''Watchmen'' (DC, 1987)] at the Grand Comics Database. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528202338/http://www.comics.org/series/3392/ |date=May 28, 2014 }}.</ref> another trade paperback was published by [[Warner Books]], a DC sister company, in 1987.<ref name=gcd-warnerbooks>[http://www.comics.org/series/49234/ ''Watchmen'' (Warner Books, 1987)] at the Grand Comics Database. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528202334/http://www.comics.org/series/49234/ |date=May 28, 2014 }}.</ref> In February 1988, DC published a limited-edition, slipcased hardcover volume, produced by Graphitti Design, that contained 48 pages of bonus material, including the original proposal and concept art.<ref name=dcslipcase>[http://www.comics.org/series/21966/ ''Watchmen'' (DC, 1988)] at the Grand Comics Database. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019133542/http://www.comics.org/series/21966/ |date=October 19, 2013 }}.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url-status=deviated |last1=Vanderplog |first1=Scott |url=http://www.comicbookdaily.com/collecting-community/bound-together/graphitti-watchmen-hardcover/ |title=Graphitti Watchmen HC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130504102655/http://www.comicbookdaily.com/collecting-community/bound-together/graphitti-watchmen-hardcover/ |archive-date=May 4, 2013 |website=Comic Book Daily |date=January 25, 2012}}.</ref> In 2005, DC released ''Absolute Watchmen'', an oversized slipcased hardcover edition of the series in DC's [[DC Comics Absolute Edition|Absolute Edition]] format. Assembled under the supervision of Dave Gibbons, ''Absolute Watchmen'' included the Graphitti materials, as well as restored and recolored art by John Higgins.<ref>{{cite web |url-status=dead |last1=Wolk |first1=Douglas |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6275201.html |title=20 Years Watching the Watchmen |website=[[Publishers Weekly]] |date=October 18, 2005 |access-date=October 13, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216131133/http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6275201.html |archive-date=December 16, 2008}}</ref> That December DC published a new printing of ''Watchmen'' issue #1 at the original 1986 cover price of $1.50 as part of its "Millennium Edition" line.<ref>[http://www.comics.org/series/6270/ ''Millennium Edition: Watchmen #1'' (March 2000)] at the Grand Comics Database. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019133539/http://www.comics.org/series/6270/ |date=October 19, 2013 }}.</ref>

In 2012, DC published ''[[Before Watchmen]]'', a series of nine prequel miniseries, with various creative teams producing the characters' early adventures set before the events of the original series.<ref name="Phegley">{{Cite web |last=Phegley |first=Kiel |date=February 1, 2012 |title=DC Comics to Publish 'Before Watchmen' Prequels |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=36724 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204101415/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=36724 |archive-date=February 4, 2012 |access-date=February 1, 2012 |website=CBR}}</ref>

In the 2016 one-shot ''[[DC Universe: Rebirth Special]]'', numerous symbols and visual references to ''Watchmen'', such as the blood-splattered smiley face, and the dialogue between Doctor Manhattan and Ozymandias in the last issue of ''Watchmen'', are shown.<ref>Yehl, Joshua (May 20, 2017). [http://ie.ign.com/articles/2016/05/21/dc-universe-rebirth-1-full-spoilers-leak-online "DC Universe: Rebirth #1 Full Spoilers Leak Online"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909103034/https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/05/21/dc-universe-rebirth-1-full-spoilers-leak-online |date=September 9, 2020 }}. IGN.</ref> Further ''Watchmen'' imagery was added in the ''DC Universe: Rebirth Special'' #1 second printing, which featured an update to Gary Frank's cover, better revealing the outstretched hand of [[Doctor Manhattan]] in the top right corner.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.newsarama.com/29506-dc-universe-rebirth-gets-second-printing-higher-cover-price.html |title=DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH Gets Second Printing & Higher Cover Price |last=Arrant |first=Chris |work=Newsarama |date=May 27, 2016 |access-date=June 2, 2016|archive-date=May 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530005032/http://www.newsarama.com/29506-dc-universe-rebirth-gets-second-printing-higher-cover-price.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Schedeen, Jesse (January 10, 2017). [https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/01/10/17-most-anticipated-comics-of-2017 "17 Most Anticipated Comics of 2017"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402200012/https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/01/10/17-most-anticipated-comics-of-2017 |date=April 2, 2019 }}. IGN. Retrieved January 13, 2017</ref> Doctor Manhattan later appeared in the 2017 four-part DC miniseries ''[[The Button (comics)|The Button]]'' serving as a direct sequel to both ''DC Universe Rebirth'' and the 2011 storyline "[[Flashpoint (comics)|Flashpoint]]". Manhattan reappears in the 2017–19 twelve-part sequel series [[Doomsday Clock (comics)|''Doomsday Clock'']].<ref>Moore, Rose (September 22, 2017). [https://screenrant.com/doomsday-clock-trailer-watchmen-crossover/ "Geoff Johns' Doomsday Clock Trailer: Watchmen Crossover Comic Explained"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209180546/https://screenrant.com/doomsday-clock-trailer-watchmen-crossover/ |date=February 9, 2019 }}. [[Screen Rant]].</ref>

== Background and creation ==
{{quote box|align=left|bgcolor=#c6dbf7|width=40%|quote="I suppose I was just thinking, 'That'd be a good way to start a comic book: have a famous super-hero found dead.' As the mystery unraveled, we would be led deeper and deeper into the real heart of this super-hero's world, and show a reality that was very different to the general public image of the super-hero."|source=—Alan Moore on the basis for ''Watchmen''<ref name="cba" />}}

In 1983, DC Comics acquired a line of characters from [[Charlton Comics]].{{sfn|Eury|Giordano|2003|p=117}} During that period, writer [[Alan Moore]] contemplated writing a story that featured an unused line of superheroes that he could revamp, as he had done in his ''[[Marvelman|Miracleman]]'' series in the early 1980s. Moore reasoned that [[MLJ Comics]]' [[Mighty Crusaders]] might be available for such a project, so he devised a murder mystery plot which would begin with the discovery of the body of the [[Shield (Archie Comics)|Shield]] in a harbor. The writer felt it did not matter which set of characters he ultimately used, as long as readers recognized them "so it would have the shock and surprise value when you saw what the reality of these characters was".<ref name="cba">{{cite news |title=Toasting Absent Heroes: Alan Moore discusses the Charlton-Watchmen Connection |url=http://www.twomorrows.com/comicbookartist/articles/09moore.html |work=[[Comic Book Artist]] |issue=9 |date=August 2000 |access-date=October 8, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130113124711/http://twomorrows.com/comicbookartist/articles/09moore.html |archive-date=January 13, 2013 | url-status = live}}</ref> Moore used this premise and crafted a proposal featuring the Charlton characters titled ''Who Killed the [[Peacemaker (character)|Peacemaker]]'',<ref name="TCJ116">"[http://www.tcj.com/a-portal-to-another-dimension-alan-moore-dave-gibbons-and-neil-gaiman/ A Portal to Another Dimension: Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, and Neil Gaiman]". ''[[The Comics Journal]]'' #116 (July 1987). [https://web.archive.org/web/20130209015518/http://www.tcj.com/a-portal-to-another-dimension-alan-moore-dave-gibbons-and-neil-gaiman/ Archived] from the original on February 9, 2013.</ref> and submitted the unsolicited proposal to DC managing editor [[Dick Giordano]].{{sfn|Eury|Giordano|2003|p=124}} Giordano was receptive to the proposal, but opposed the idea of using the Charlton characters for the story. After the acquisition of Charlton's Action Hero line, DC intended to use their upcoming [[Crisis on Infinite Earths]] event to fold them into their mainstream superhero universe. Moore said, "DC realized their expensive characters would end up either dead or dysfunctional." Instead, Giordano persuaded Moore to continue his project but with new characters that simply resembled the Charlton heroes.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z_cQEAAAQBAJ&dq=Moore+Charlton+Comics+acquired+DC+Comics+Crisis+on+Infinite+Earths+Beetle+Atom&pg=PA211 |title=Mysterious Travelers: Steve Ditko and the Search for a New Liberal Identity |isbn=978-1-4968-3057-9 |access-date=July 4, 2023 |archive-date=September 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909084120/https://books.google.com/books?id=Z_cQEAAAQBAJ&dq=Moore+Charlton+Comics+acquired+DC+Comics+Crisis+on+Infinite+Earths+Beetle+Atom&pg=PA211 |url-status=live |last1=Kruse |first1=Zack |date=February 2021 |publisher=Univ. Press of Mississippi }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MHJ1DQAAQBAJ&dq=Giordano+encouraged+Moore+original+Characters+old+Charlton&pg=PA219 |title=Italian Americans: The History and Culture of a People |isbn=978-1-61069-995-2 |access-date=July 4, 2023 |archive-date=September 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909084121/https://books.google.com/books?id=MHJ1DQAAQBAJ&dq=Giordano+encouraged+Moore+original+Characters+old+Charlton&pg=PA219 |url-status=live |last1=Martone |first1=Eric |date=December 12, 2016 |publisher=Abc-Clio }}</ref><ref name="EW article 2">{{cite magazine |last=Jensen |first=Jeff |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1120854_2,00.html |title=Watchmen: An Oral History (2 of 6) |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=October 21, 2005 |access-date=May 28, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121113337/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C1120854_2%2C00.html |archive-date=January 21, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Moore had initially believed that original characters would not provide emotional resonance for readers but later changed his mind. He said, "Eventually, I realized that if I wrote the substitute characters well enough, so that they seemed familiar in certain ways, certain aspects of them brought back a kind of generic super-hero resonance or familiarity to the reader, then it might work."<ref name="cba" />

{{multiple image|align=right|image1=Alan Moore (2).jpg|width1=165|image2=DaveGibbons.jpg|width2=150|caption1=[[Alan Moore]], writer of ''Watchmen'' |caption2=[[Dave Gibbons]], artist of ''Watchmen''}}

Artist [[Dave Gibbons]], who had collaborated with Moore on previous projects, recalled that he "must have heard on the grapevine that he was doing a treatment for a new miniseries. I rang Alan up, saying I'd like to be involved with what he was doing", and Moore sent him the story outline.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20080802171345/http://comiccon.titanbooks.com/watching-watchmen/ Get Under the Hood of Watchmen…]". [[Titan Books]] (2008, date n.a.)  Retrieved October 15, 2008. Archived from the [http://comiccon.titanbooks.com/watching-watchmen/ original] on August 2, 2008.</ref> Gibbons told Giordano he wanted to draw the series Moore proposed and Moore approved.{{sfn|Eury|Giordano|2003|p=110}} Gibbons brought colorist [[John Higgins (comics)|John Higgins]] onto the project because he liked his "unusual" style; Higgins lived near the artist, which allowed the two to "discuss [the art] and have some kind of human contact rather than just sending it across the ocean".<ref name="TCJ116" /> [[Len Wein]] joined the project as its editor, while Giordano stayed on to oversee it. Both Wein and Giordano stood back and "got out of their way", as Giordano remarked later. "Who copy-edits Alan Moore, for God's sake?"{{sfn|Eury|Giordano|2003|p=124}}

After receiving the go-ahead to work on the project, Moore and Gibbons spent a day at the latter's house creating characters, crafting details for the story's milieu and discussing influences. The pair were particularly influenced by a ''[[Mad (magazine)|Mad]]'' parody of Superman named "[[Superduperman]]"; Moore said: "We wanted to take Superduperman 180 degrees—dramatic, instead of comedic".<ref name="EW article 2" /> Moore and Gibbons conceived of a story that would take "familiar old-fashioned superheroes into a completely new realm";<ref name="Blather Moore Interview 2">Kavanagh, Barry. "[http://www.blather.net/articles/amoore/watchmen2.html The Alan Moore Interview: Watchmen characters] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110102845/http://www.blather.net/articles/amoore/watchmen2.html |date=January 10, 2010 }}". Blather.net. October 17, 2000. Retrieved on October 14, 2008.</ref> Moore said his intention was to create "a superhero ''[[Moby-Dick|Moby Dick]]''; something that had that sort of weight, that sort of density".<ref name="strange">{{cite news |last1=Eno |first1=Vincent (Richard Norris) |first2=El |last2=Csawza |url=http://www.johncoulthart.com/feuilleton/?p=53 |title=Vincent Eno and El Csawza Meet Comics Megastar Alan Moore |publisher=Strange Things Are Happening via JohnCoulthart.com |date=May–June 1988 |access-date=October 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705062035/http://www.johncoulthart.com/feuilleton/2006/02/20/alan-moore-interview-1988/ |archive-date=July 5, 2008 | url-status=live}}</ref> Moore came up with the character names and descriptions but left the specifics of how they looked to Gibbons. Gibbons did not sit down and design the characters deliberately, but rather "did it at odd times [...] spend[ing] maybe two or three weeks just doing sketches."<ref name="TCJ116" /> Gibbons designed his characters to make them easy to draw; [[Rorschach (comics)|Rorschach]] was his favorite to draw because "you just have to draw a hat. If you can draw a hat, then you've drawn Rorschach, you just draw kind of a shape for his face and put some black blobs on it and you're done."<ref name=illustrating>"[http://www.watchmencomicmovie.com/102308-dave-gibbons-watchmen-comic-illustrator.php Illustrating ''Watchmen''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103151227/http://watchmencomicmovie.com/102308-dave-gibbons-watchmen-comic-illustrator.php |date=January 3, 2010 }}". WatchmenComicMovie.com. October 23, 2008. Retrieved on October 28, 2008.</ref>

Moore began writing the series very early on, hoping to avoid publication delays such as those faced by the DC limited series ''[[Camelot 3000]]''.<ref name="TCJ106">Heintjes, Tom. "Alan Moore On (Just About) Everything". ''The Comics Journal''. March 1986.</ref> When writing the script for the first issue Moore said he realized "I only had enough plot for six issues. We were contracted for 12!" His solution was to alternate issues that dealt with the overall plot of the series with origin issues for the characters.<ref name="EW article 3">Jensen, Jeff. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20070314195901/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1120854_3,00.html Watchmen: An Oral History (3 of 6)]". ''Entertainment Weekly''. October 21, 2005. Retrieved on October 8, 2008.</ref> Moore wrote very detailed scripts for Gibbons to work from. Gibbons recalled that "[t]he script for the first issue of ''Watchmen'' was, I think, 101 pages of typescript—single-spaced—with no gaps between the individual panel descriptions or, indeed, even between the pages." Upon receiving the scripts, the artist had to number each page "in case I drop them on the floor, because it would take me two days to put them back in the right order", and used a highlighter pen to single out lettering and shot descriptions; he remarked, "It takes quite a bit of organizing before you can actually put pen to paper."<ref name="S&S116">Stewart, Bhob. "Synchronicity and Symmetry". ''The Comics Journal''. July 1987.</ref> Despite Moore's detailed scripts, his panel descriptions would often end with the note "If that doesn't work for you, do what works best"; Gibbons nevertheless worked to Moore's instructions.<ref name="CBR Amaya 2008">Amaya, Erik. "[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=18266 Len Wein: Watching the Watchmen]". [[Comic Book Resources]]. September 30, 2008. Retrieved on October 3, 2008. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809193051/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=18266 |date=August 9, 2011 }}</ref> In fact, Gibbons only suggested one single change to the script - a compression of Ozymandias' narration while he was preventing a sneak attack by Rorschach - as he felt that the dialogue was too long to fit with the length of the action; Moore agreed and re-wrote the scene.<ref name="Comics Bulletin">{{cite web |url=http://www.comicsbulletin.com/features/12289382257709.htm |title=Watching the Watchmen with Dave Gibbons: An Interview |publisher=[[Comics Bulletin]] |date=n.d. |access-date=December 12, 2008 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216101134/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/features/12289382257709.htm}}</ref> Gibbons had a great deal of autonomy in developing the visual look of ''Watchmen'' and frequently inserted background details that Moore admitted he did not notice until later.<ref name="strange" /> Moore occasionally contacted fellow comics writer [[Neil Gaiman]] for answers to research questions and for quotes to include in issues.<ref name="EW article 3" />

Despite his intentions, Moore admitted in November 1986 that there were likely to be delays, stating that he was, with issue five on the stands, still writing issue nine.<ref name="S&S116" /> Gibbons mentioned that a major factor in the delays was the "piecemeal way" in which he received Moore's scripts. Gibbons said the team's pace slowed around the fourth issue; from that point onward the two undertook their work "just several pages at a time. I'll get three pages of script from Alan and draw it and then toward the end, call him up and say, 'Feed me!' And he'll send another two or three pages or maybe one page or sometimes six pages."<ref name="Pebbles116">Stewart, Bhob. "Dave Gibbons: Pebbles in a Landscape". ''The Comics Journal''. July 1987.</ref> As the creators began to hit deadlines, Moore would hire a taxi driver to drive 50&nbsp;miles and deliver scripts to Gibbons. On later issues the artist even had his wife and son draw panel grids on pages to help save time.<ref name="EW article 3" />

Near the end of the project, Moore realized that the story bore some similarity to "[[The Architects of Fear]]", an episode of ''[[The Outer Limits (1963 TV series)|The Outer Limits]]'' television series.<ref name="EW article 3" /> The writer and Wein (an editor) argued over changing the ending and when Moore refused to give in, Wein quit the book. Wein explained, "I kept telling him, 'Be more original, Alan, you've got the capability, do something different, not something that's already been done!' And he didn't seem to care enough to do that."<ref name=WeinDaddy>Ho, Richard. "Who's Your Daddy??" ''Wizard''. November 2004.</ref> Moore acknowledged the ''Outer Limits'' episode by referencing it in the series' last issue.<ref name="CBR Amaya 2008" />

== Synopsis ==
=== Setting ===
''Watchmen'' is set in an alternate reality that closely mirrors the contemporary world of the 1980s. The primary difference is the presence of superheroes. The [[point of divergence]] occurs in the year 1938. Their existence in this version of the United States is shown to have dramatically affected and altered the outcomes of real-world events such as the [[Vietnam War]] and the presidency of [[Richard Nixon]].{{sfn|Wright|2001|p=271}} In keeping with the realism of the series, although the costumed crimefighters of ''Watchmen'' are commonly called "superheroes", only one, named Doctor Manhattan, possesses any superhuman abilities.{{sfn|Wright|2001|p=272}} The war in Vietnam ends with an American victory in 1971 and Nixon is still president as of October 1985 upon the repeal of term limits and the [[Watergate scandal]] not coming to pass. The [[Soviet–Afghan War|Soviet invasion of Afghanistan]] occurs approximately six years later than in real life.

When the story begins, the existence of Doctor Manhattan has given the U.S. a strategic advantage over the [[Soviet Union]], which has dramatically increased [[Cold War]] tensions. Eventually, by 1977, superheroes grow unpopular among the police and the public, leading them to be outlawed with the passage of the Keene Act. While many of the heroes retired, Doctor Manhattan and another superhero, known as The Comedian, operate as government-sanctioned agents. Another named Rorschach continues to operate outside the law.{{sfn|Reynolds|1992|p=106}}

=== Plot ===
In October 1985, New York City detectives investigate the murder of Edward Blake. With the police having no leads, costumed vigilante Rorschach decides to probe further. Rorschach deduces Blake to have been the true identity of "The Comedian", a costumed hero employed by the U.S. government, after finding his costume and signature smiley-face pin badge. Believing that Blake's murder could be part of a larger plot against costumed adventurers, Rorschach seeks out and warns four of his retired comrades: shy inventor Daniel Dreiberg, formerly the second Nite Owl; the superpowered and emotionally detached Jon Osterman, codenamed "Doctor Manhattan"; Doctor Manhattan's lover Laurie Juspeczyk, the second Silk Spectre; and Adrian Veidt, once the hero "[[Ozymandias (Watchmen)|Ozymandias]]", and now a successful businessman.

Dreiberg, Veidt, and Manhattan attend Blake's funeral, where Dreiberg tosses Blake's pin badge in his coffin before he is buried. Manhattan is later accused on national television of being the cause of cancer in friends and former colleagues. When the government takes the accusations seriously, Manhattan exiles himself to Mars. As the United States depends on Manhattan as a strategic military asset, his departure throws humanity into political turmoil, with the Soviets invading Afghanistan to capitalize on the United States' perceived weakness. Rorschach's concerns appear validated when Veidt narrowly survives an assassination attempt. Rorschach himself is framed for murdering a former supervillain named Moloch. While attempting to flee the scene of Moloch's murder, Rorschach is captured by police and unmasked as Walter Kovacs.

Neglected in her relationship with the once-human Manhattan, whose godlike powers have left him emotionally detached from ordinary people, and no longer kept on retainer by the government, Juspeczyk stays with Dreiberg. They begin a romance, don their costumes, and resume vigilante work as they grow closer together. With Dreiberg starting to believe some aspects of Rorschach's [[conspiracy theory]], the pair take it upon themselves to break him out of prison. After looking back on his own personal history, Manhattan places the fate of his involvement with human affairs in Juspeczyk's hands. He teleports her to Mars to make the case for emotional investment. During the course of the argument, Juspeczyk is forced to come to terms with the fact that Blake, who once attempted to rape her mother (the original Silk Spectre), was actually her biological father, having fathered her in a second, consensual relationship. This discovery, reflecting the complexity of human emotions and relationships, reignites Manhattan's interest in humanity.

On Earth, Dreiberg and Rorschach find evidence that Veidt may be behind the conspiracy. Rorschach writes his suspicions about Veidt in his journal, which includes the full details of his investigation, and mails it to ''New Frontiersman'', a local right-wing newspaper. When Rorschach and Dreiberg travel to Antarctica to confront Veidt at his private retreat, Veidt explains that he plans to save humanity from an impending nuclear war by staging a fake alien invasion and killing half the population of New York, forcing the United States and the Soviet Union to unite against a common enemy. He reveals that he murdered Blake after he discovered his plan, arranged for Doctor Manhattan's past associates to contract cancer to force him to leave Earth, staged the attempt on his own life to place himself above suspicion, and framed Rorschach for Moloch's murder to prevent him from discovering the truth. Horrified by Veidt's callous logic, Dreiberg and Rorschach vow to stop him, but Veidt reveals that he already enacted his plan before they arrived.

When Manhattan and Juspeczyk arrive back on Earth, they are confronted by mass destruction and death in New York, with a gigantic [[squid]]-like [[List of Watchmen characters#Alien Monster|creature]], created by Veidt's laboratories, dead in the middle of the city. Manhattan notices his [[Precognition|prescient]] abilities are limited by [[tachyon]]s emanating from the Antarctic and the pair teleport there. They discover Veidt's involvement and confront him. Veidt shows everyone news broadcasts confirming that the emergence of a new threat has indeed prompted peaceful co-operation between the superpowers; this leads almost all present to agree that concealing the truth is in the best interests of world peace. Rorschach refuses to compromise and leaves, intent on revealing the truth. As he is making his way back, he is confronted by Manhattan who argues that at this point, the truth can only hurt. Rorschach declares that Manhattan will have to kill him to stop him from exposing Veidt, which Manhattan duly does. Manhattan then wanders through the base and finds Veidt, who asks him if he did the right thing in the end. Manhattan cryptically responds that "nothing ever ends" before leaving Earth. Dreiberg and Juspeczyk go into hiding under new identities and continue their romance.

Back in New York, the editor at ''New Frontiersman'' asks his assistant to find some filler material from the "crank file", a collection of rejected submissions to the paper, many of which have not yet been reviewed. The series ends with the young man reaching toward the pile of discarded submissions, near the top of which is Rorschach's journal.

== Characters ==
{{Main|List of Watchmen characters}}

[[File:Watchmencharacters.jpg|thumb|upright|The main characters of ''Watchmen'' (from left to right): Ozymandias, the second Silk Spectre, Doctor Manhattan, The Comedian (kneeling), the second Nite Owl, and Rorschach]]

With ''Watchmen'', Alan Moore's intention was to create four or five "radically opposing ways" to perceive the world and to give readers of the story the privilege of determining which one was most morally comprehensible. Moore did not believe in the notion of "[cramming] regurgitated morals" down the readers' throats and instead sought to show heroes in an ambivalent light. Moore said, "What we wanted to do was show all of these people, warts and all. Show that even the worst of them had something going for them, and even the best of them had their flaws."<ref name="strange" />

; [[Rorschach (character)|Walter Joseph Kovacs / Rorschach]]
: A vigilante who wears a white mask that contains a symmetrical but constantly shifting ink blot pattern, he continues to fight crime in spite of his outlaw status. Moore said he was trying to "come up with this quintessential [[Steve Ditko]] character—someone who's got a funny name, whose surname begins with a 'K,' who's got an oddly designed mask". Moore based Rorschach on Ditko's creation [[Mr. A]]; Ditko's Charlton character [[Question (comics)|The Question]] also served as a template for creating Rorschach. Comics historian Bradford W. Wright described the character's world view "a set of black-and-white values that take many shapes but never mix into shades of gray, similar to the [[Rorschach test|ink blot tests]] of his namesake". Rorschach sees existence as random and, according to Wright, this viewpoint leaves the character "free to 'scrawl [his] own design' on a 'morally blank world'". Moore said he did not foresee the death of Rorschach until the fourth issue when he realized that his refusal to compromise would result in him not surviving the story.

;[[Ozymandias (Watchmen)|Adrian Veidt / Ozymandias]]: Drawing inspiration from [[Alexander the Great]], Veidt was once the superhero Ozymandias, but has since retired to devote his attention to the running of his own enterprises. Veidt is believed to be the smartest man on the planet. Ozymandias was based on [[Peter Cannon, Thunderbolt]]; Moore liked the idea of a character who "us[ed] the full 100% of his brain" and "[had] complete physical and mental control".<ref name="cba" /> Richard Reynolds noted that by taking initiative to "help the world", Veidt displays a trait normally attributed to villains in superhero stories, and in a sense he is the "villain" of the series.{{sfn|Reynolds|1992|p=110}} Gibbons noted, "One of the worst of his sins [is] kind of looking down on the rest of humanity, scorning the rest of humanity."<ref>"[http://www.watchmencomicmovie.com/101608-watchmen-comic-dave-gibbons-interview.php Talking With Dave Gibbons]". WatchmenComicMovie.com. October 16, 2008. Retrieved on October 28, 2008. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103143515/http://watchmencomicmovie.com/101608-watchmen-comic-dave-gibbons-interview.php |date=January 3, 2010 }}</ref>
;[[Nite Owl|Daniel Dreiberg / Nite Owl II]]: A retired superhero who utilizes owl-themed gadgets. Nite Owl was based on the [[Blue Beetle (Ted Kord)|Ted Kord]] version of the [[Blue Beetle]]. Paralleling the way Ted Kord had a predecessor, Moore also incorporated an earlier adventurer who used the name "Nite Owl", the retired crime fighter Hollis Mason, into ''Watchmen''.<ref name="cba" /> While Moore devised character notes for Gibbons to work from, the artist provided a name and a costume design for Hollis Mason he had created when he was twelve.<ref name="SeqTart">{{cite web |last=Kallies |first=Christy |url=http://www.sequentialtart.com/archive/july99/gibbons.shtml |title=Under the Hood: Dave Gibbons |publisher=SequentialTart.com |date=July 1999 |access-date=October 12, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321191222/http://www.sequentialtart.com/archive/july99/gibbons.shtml |archive-date=March 21, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> Richard Reynolds noted in ''Super Heroes: A Modern Mythology'' that despite the character's Charlton roots, Nite Owl's modus operandi has more in common with the DC Comics character [[Batman]].{{sfn|Reynolds|1992|p=32}} According to Klock, his civilian form "visually suggests an impotent, middle-aged [[Clark Kent]]."{{sfn|Klock|2002|p=66}}
;[[Comedian (character)|Edward Blake / The Comedian]]: One of two government-sanctioned heroes (along with Doctor Manhattan) who remains active after the Keene Act is passed in 1977 to ban superheroes. His murder, which occurs shortly before the first chapter begins, sets the plot of ''Watchmen'' in motion. The character appears throughout the story in flashbacks and aspects of his personality are revealed by other characters.{{sfn|Reynolds|1992|p=106}} The Comedian was based on the Charlton Comics character [[Peacemaker (character)|Peacemaker]], with elements of the [[Marvel Comics]] spy character [[Nick Fury]] added. Moore and Gibbons saw The Comedian as "a kind of [[G. Gordon Liddy|Gordon Liddy]] character, only a much bigger, tougher guy".<ref name="cba" /> Richard Reynolds described The Comedian as "ruthless, cynical, and nihilistic, and yet capable of deeper insights than the others into the role of the costumed hero."{{sfn|Reynolds|1992|p=106}}
;[[Doctor Manhattan|Dr. Jon Osterman / Doctor Manhattan]]: A superpowered being who is contracted by the United States government. Scientist Jon Osterman gained power over [[matter]] when he was caught in an "Intrinsic Field Subtractor" in 1959. Doctor Manhattan was based upon Charlton's [[Captain Atom]], who in Moore's original proposal was surrounded by the shadow of nuclear threat. Captain Atom was the only hero with actual superpowers in Dick Giordano's Action Hero line at Charlton, just like Manhattan is the only character with actual superpowers in Watchmen.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://issuu.com/twomorrows/docs/charltoncompanionpreview/s/16610202 |title=Kinowa, Western Scourge; Charlton's Pulp - Issuu |access-date=June 20, 2023 |archive-date=June 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620232558/https://issuu.com/twomorrows/docs/charltoncompanionpreview/s/16610202 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the writer found he could do more with Manhattan as a "kind of a quantum super-hero" than he could have with Captain Atom.<ref name="cba" /> In contrast to other superheroes who lacked scientific exploration of their origins, Moore sought to delve into [[nuclear physics]] and [[quantum physics]] in constructing the character of Dr. Manhattan. The writer believed that a character living in a quantum universe would not perceive time with a linear perspective, which would influence the character's perception of human affairs. Moore also wanted to avoid creating an emotionless character like [[Spock]] from ''[[Star Trek]]'', so he sought for Dr. Manhattan to retain "human habits" and to grow away from them and humanity in general.<ref name="strange" /> Gibbons had created the blue character [[Rogue Trooper]] and explained he reused the blue skin motif for Doctor Manhattan as it visualized electrical or atomic energy while still resembling human skin tonally and "reading as Jon Osterman's skin would've read, but in a different hue." Moore incorporated the color into the story, and Gibbons noted the rest of the comic's color scheme made Manhattan unique.<ref name="secrets">"[http://www.watchmencomicmovie.com/110308-watchmen-movie-dave-gibbons.php Watchmen Secrets Revealed]". WatchmenComicMovie.com. November 3, 2008. Retrieved on November 5, 2008. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103151053/http://watchmencomicmovie.com/110308-watchmen-movie-dave-gibbons.php |date=January 3, 2010 }}</ref> Moore recalled that he was unsure if DC would allow the creators to depict the character as fully nude, which partially influenced how they portrayed the character.<ref name="TCJ116" /> Gibbons wanted to be tasteful in depicting Manhattan's nudity, selecting carefully when full frontal shots would occur and giving him "understated" genitals—like a classical sculpture—so the reader would not initially notice it.<ref name="SeqTart" />
;[[Silk Spectre|Laurie Juspeczyk / Silk Spectre II]]: The daughter of Sally Jupiter (the first Silk Spectre, with whom she has a strained relationship) and The Comedian. Of Polish heritage, she had been the lover of Doctor Manhattan for years. While Silk Spectre was originally supposed to be the Charlton superheroine [[Nightshade (DC Comics)|Nightshade]], Moore was not particularly interested in that character. Once the idea of using Charlton characters was abandoned, Moore drew more from heroines such as [[Black Canary]] and [[Phantom Lady]].<ref name="cba" /> A [[University of Dayton]] student paper described Laurie as impulsive—"rarely using logic to think through situations"—but also as constantly standing by her belief that each human life matters, which contrasts with most other characters in ''Watchmen''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Geiser |first=Lauren N. |date=February 2016 |title=Flawed Heroes, Flawless Villain |url=https://ecommons.udayton.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1064&context=lxl |journal=Line by Line: A Journal of Beginning Student Writing |publication-place=[[University of Dayton]] |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=3–4 |quote=She repeatedly acts and speaks before she thinks, rarely using logic to think through situations; her impulsivity often buries her in situations that would not have been as bad had she rationally thought through them beforehand. [...] Laurie clearly believes in and promotes the dignity of human life, which contrasts with most other characters in Watchmen. Similarly, Laurie constantly stands by her beliefs that each human life matters, even when facing the arguments of Dr. Manhattan.}}</ref>:

== Art and composition ==
[[File:Watchmen-smiley.svg|thumb|The blood-stained [[smiley face]], a recurring [[symbol]] throughout the book]]
Moore and Gibbons designed ''Watchmen'' to showcase the unique qualities of the comics medium and to highlight its particular strengths. In a 1986 interview, Moore said, "What I'd like to explore is the areas that comics succeed in where no other media is capable of operating", and emphasized this by stressing the differences between comics and film. Moore said that ''Watchmen'' was designed to be read "four or five times", with some links and allusions only becoming apparent to the reader after several readings.<ref name="strange" /> Dave Gibbons notes that, "[a]s it progressed, ''Watchmen'' became much more about the telling than the tale itself. The main thrust of the story essentially hinges on what is called a [[MacGuffin|macguffin]], a [[gimmick]] ... So really the plot itself is of no great consequence ... it just really isn't the most interesting thing about ''Watchmen''. As we actually came to tell the tale, that's where the real creativity came in."{{sfn|Salisbury|2000|p=82}}

Gibbons said he deliberately constructed the visual look of ''Watchmen'' so that each page would be identifiable as part of that particular series and "not some other comic book".{{sfn|Salisbury|2000|p=77}} He made a concerted effort to draw the characters in a manner different from that commonly seen in comics.{{sfn|Salisbury|2000|p=77}} The artist tried to draw the series with "a particular weight of line, using a hard, stiff pen that didn't have much modulation in terms of thick and thin" which he hoped "would differentiate it from the usual lush, fluid kind of comic book line".{{sfn|Salisbury|2000|p=80}} In a 2009 interview, Moore recalled that he took advantage of Gibbons' training as a former [[Surveying|surveyor]] for "including incredible amounts of detail in every tiny panel, so we could choreograph every little thing".<ref>Rogers, Adam. "[https://www.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/magazine/17-03/ff_moore_qa?currentPage=5 Legendary Comics Writer Alan Moore on Superheroes, The League, and Making Magic]." Wired.com. February 23, 2009. Retrieved on February 24, 2009. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109070252/http://www.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/magazine/17-03/ff_moore_qa?currentPage=5 |date=January 9, 2010 }}</ref> Gibbons described the series as "a comic about comics".<ref name="Pebbles116" /> Gibbons felt that "Alan is more concerned with the social implications of [the presence of super-heroes] and I've gotten involved in the technical implications." The story's alternate world setting allowed Gibbons to change details of the American landscape, such as adding [[electric car]]s, slightly different buildings, and spark hydrants instead of [[fire hydrant]]s, which Moore said, "perhaps gives the American readership a chance in some ways to see their own culture as an outsider would". Gibbons noted that the setting was liberating for him because he did not have to rely primarily on reference books.<ref name="TCJ116" />

Colorist John Higgins used a template that was "moodier" and favored secondary colors.<ref name="EW article 3" /> Moore stated that he had also "always loved John's coloring, but always associated him with being an [[airbrush]] colorist", which Moore was not fond of; Higgins subsequently decided to color ''Watchmen'' in European-style flat color. Moore noted that the artist paid particular attention to lighting and subtle color changes; in issue six, Higgins began with "warm and cheerful" colors and throughout the issue gradually made it darker to give the story a dark and bleak feeling.<ref name="TCJ116" />

=== Structure ===
[[File:Watchmen Fearful Symmetry.png|thumb|The middle two pages of ''Watchmen'' #5, titled "Fearful Symmetry". The whole of the issue's layout was intended to be symmetrical, culminating in this center spread, where the pages reflect one another. Art by Dave Gibbons]]

Structurally, certain aspects of ''Watchmen'' deviated from the norm in comic books at the time, particularly the panel layout and the coloring. Instead of panels of various sizes, the creators divided each page into a nine-panel grid.<ref name="EW article 3" /> Gibbons favored the nine-panel grid system due to its "authority".{{sfn|Salisbury|2000|p=80}} Moore accepted the use of the nine-panel grid format, which "gave him a level of control over the storytelling he hadn't had previously", according to Gibbons. "There was this element of the pacing and visual impact that he could now predict and use to dramatic effect."{{sfn|Salisbury|2000|p=82}} [[Bhob Stewart]] of ''[[The Comics Journal]]'' mentioned to Gibbons in 1987, that the page layouts recalled those of [[EC Comics]], in addition to the art itself, which Stewart felt particularly echoed that of [[John Severin]].<ref name="Pebbles116" /> Gibbons agreed that the echoing of the EC-style layouts "was a very deliberate thing", although his inspiration was rather [[Harvey Kurtzman]],<ref name="Comics Bulletin" /> but it was altered enough to give the series a unique look.<ref name="Pebbles116" /> The artist also cited Steve Ditko's work on early issues of ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' as an influence,{{sfn|Salisbury|2000|pp=77-80}} as well as ''[[Doctor Strange]]'', where "even at his most psychedelic [he] would still keep a pretty straight page layout".<ref name=illustrating />

The cover of each issue serves as the first panel to the story. Gibbons said, "The cover of the ''Watchmen'' is in the real world and looks quite real, but it's starting to turn into a comic book, a portal to another dimension."<ref name="TCJ116" /> The covers were designed as close-ups that focused on a single detail with no human elements present.<ref name="strange" /> The creators on occasion experimented with the layout of the issue contents. Gibbons drew issue five, titled "Fearful Symmetry", so the first page mirrors the last (in terms of frame disposition), with the following pages mirroring each other before the center-spread is (broadly) symmetrical in layout.<ref name="TCJ116" />

The end of each issue, with the exception of issue twelve, contains supplemental prose pieces written by Moore. Among the contents are fictional book chapters, letters, reports, and articles written by various ''Watchmen'' characters. DC had trouble selling ad space in issues of ''Watchmen'', which left an extra eight to nine pages per issue. DC planned to insert house ads and a longer letters column to fill the space, but editor Len Wein felt this would be unfair to anyone who wrote in during the last four issues of the series. He decided to use the extra pages to fill in the series' backstory.<ref name="CBR Amaya 2008" /> Moore said, "By the time we got around to issue #3, #4, and so on, we thought that the book looked nice without a letters page. It looks less like a comic book, so we stuck with it."<ref name="TCJ116" />

=== ''Tales of the Black Freighter'' ===
{{for|the direct-to-video supplement to the comic book's film adaptation|Watchmen (2009 film)#Home media}}

''Watchmen'' features a [[story within a story]] in the form of ''Tales of the Black Freighter'', a fictional comic book from which scenes appear in issues three, five, eight, ten, and eleven. The fictional comic's story, "Marooned", is read by a youth in New York City.{{sfn|Reynolds|1992|p=110}} Moore and Gibbons conceived a pirate comic because they reasoned that since the characters of ''Watchmen'' experience superheroes in real life, "they probably wouldn't be at all interested in superhero comics."<ref name="Blather Moore Interview 3">Kavanagh, Barry. "[http://www.blather.net/articles/amoore/watchmen3.html The Alan Moore Interview: Watchmen, microcosms and details]". Blather.net. October 17, 2000. Retrieved on October 14, 2008. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091230162814/http://www.blather.net/articles/amoore/watchmen3.html |date=December 30, 2009 }}</ref> Gibbons suggested a pirate theme, and Moore agreed in part because he is "a big [[Bertolt Brecht]] fan": the ''Black Freighter'' alludes to the song "[[Pirate Jenny|Seeräuberjenny]]" ("[[Pirate Jenny]]") from Brecht's ''[[The Threepenny Opera|Threepenny Opera]]''.<ref name="TCJ116" /> Moore theorized that since superheroes existed, and existed as "objects of fear, loathing, and scorn, the main superheroes quickly fell out of popularity in comic books, as we suggest. Mainly, genres like horror, science fiction, and piracy, particularly piracy, became prominent—with EC riding the crest of the wave." Moore felt "the imagery of the whole pirate genre is so rich and dark that it provided a perfect counterpoint to the contemporary world of ''Watchmen''".<ref name="S&S116" /> The writer expanded upon the premise so that its presence in the story would add [[subtext]] and allegory.{{sfn|Salisbury|2000|pp=80-82}} The supplemental article detailing the fictional history of ''Tales of the Black Freighter'' at the end of issue five credits real-life artist [[Joe Orlando]] as a major contributor to the series. Moore chose Orlando because he felt that if pirate stories were popular in the ''Watchmen'' universe that DC editor [[Julius Schwartz]] might have tried to lure the artist over to the company to draw a pirate comic book. Orlando contributed a drawing designed as if it were a page from the fake title to the supplemental piece.<ref name="S&S116" />

In "Marooned", a young mariner (called "The Sea Captain") journeys to warn his hometown of the coming of ''The Black Freighter'', after he survives the destruction of his own ship. He uses the bodies of his dead shipmates as a makeshift raft and sails home, gradually descending into insanity. When he finally returns to his hometown, believing it to be already under the occupation of ''The Black Freighter''{{'}}s crew, he makes his way to his house and slays everyone he finds there, only to discover that the person he mistook for a pirate was in fact his wife. He returns to the seashore, where he realizes that ''The Black Freighter'' has not come to claim the town, but rather to claim him; he swims out to sea and climbs aboard the ship. According to Richard Reynolds, the mariner is "forced by the urgency of his mission to shed one inhibition after another." Just like Adrian Veidt, he "hopes to stave off disaster by using the dead bodies of his former comrades as a means of reaching his goal".{{sfn|Reynolds|1992|p=111}} Moore stated that the story of ''The Black Freighter'' ends up specifically describing "the story of Adrian Veidt" and that it can also be used as a counterpoint to other parts of the story, such as Rorschach's capture and Dr. Manhattan's self-exile on Mars.<ref name="Blather Moore Interview 3" />

=== Symbols and imagery ===
Moore named [[William S. Burroughs]] as one of his main influences during the conception of ''Watchmen''. He admired Burroughs' use of "repeated symbols that would become laden with meaning" in Burroughs' only comic strip, "[[Ah Pook Is Here|The Unspeakable Mr. Hart]]", which appeared in the British underground magazine ''Cyclops''. Not every intertextual link in the series was planned by Moore, who remarked that "there's stuff in there Dave had put in that even I only noticed on the sixth or seventh read", while other "things [...] turned up in there by accident."<ref name="strange" />

[[File:Galle crater.gif|left|thumb|The [[Galle (Martian crater)|Galle crater]] from the planet Mars appears in ''Watchmen'' as an example of the series' recurring [[smiley]] motif.]]
A stained [[smiley|smiley face]] is a recurring image in the story, appearing in many forms. In ''The System of Comics'', [[Thierry Groensteen]] described the symbol as a recurring motif that produces "rhyme and remarkable configurations" by appearing in key segments of ''Watchmen'', notably the first and last pages of the series—spattered with blood on the first, and sauce from a hamburger on the last. Groensteen cites it as one form of the circle shape that appears throughout the story, as a "recurrent geometric motif" and due to its symbolic connotations.<ref>Groensteen, p. 152, 155</ref> Gibbons created a smiley face badge as an element of The Comedian's costume in order to "lighten" the overall design, later adding a splash of blood to the badge to imply his murder. Gibbons said the creators came to regard the blood-stained smiley face as "a symbol for the whole series",{{sfn|Salisbury|2000|p=80}} noting its resemblance to the [[Doomsday Clock]] ticking up to midnight.<ref name=illustrating /> Moore drew inspiration from psychological tests of [[behaviorism]], explaining that the tests had presented the face as "a symbol of complete innocence". With the addition of a blood splash over the eye, the face's meaning was altered to become simultaneously radical and simple enough for the first issue's cover to avoid human detail. Although most evocations of the central image were created on purpose, others were coincidental. Moore mentioned in particular that on "the little plugs on the spark hydrants if you turn them upside down, you discover a little smiley face".<ref name="strange" />

Other symbols, images, and allusions that appeared throughout the series often emerged unexpectedly. Moore mentioned that "[t]he whole thing with ''Watchmen'' has just been loads of these little bits of synchronicity popping up all over the place".<ref name="S&S116" /> Gibbons noted an unintended theme was contrasting the mundane and the romantic,<ref name="Comics Bulletin" /> citing the separate sex scenes between Nite Owl and Silk Spectre on his couch and then high in the sky on Nite Owl's airship.<ref name="Pebbles116" /> In a book of the [[Impact crater|craters]] and boulders of Mars, Gibbons discovered a photograph of the [[Galle (Martian crater)|Galle crater]], which resembles a happy face, which they worked into an issue. Moore said, "We found a lot of these things started to generate themselves as if by magic", in particular citing an occasion where they decided to name a lock company the "[[Gordian Knot]] Lock Company".<ref name="S&S116" />

== Themes ==
The initial premise of the series was to examine what superheroes would be like "in a credible, real world". As the story became more complex, Moore said ''Watchmen'' became about "power and about the idea of the superman manifest within society."<ref name="Craft">{{cite web |title=The Craft: An Interview with Alan Moore |url=http://www.enginecomics.co.uk/interviews/jan05/alanmoore.htm |publisher=Engine Comics |date=September 9, 2002 | publication-date = 2004 |access-date=October 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050217045326/http://www.enginecomics.co.uk/interviews/jan05/alanmoore.htm |archive-date=February 17, 2005}}</ref> The title of the series refers to the question "Who will watch the watchmen themselves?", famously posed by the [[Latin literature|Roman]] satirist [[Juvenal]] (as "''[[Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?]]''"), although Moore was not aware of the phrase's classical origins until [[Harlan Ellison]] informed him.<ref name=plowrightp43>Plowright, Frank. "Preview: Watchmen". ''[[Amazing Heroes]]'' #97 (June 15, 1986), p. 43</ref> Moore commented in 1987, "In the context of ''Watchmen'', that fits. 'They're watching out for us, who's watching out for them?{{' "}}<ref name="TCJ116" /> The writer stated in the introduction to the Graffiti hardcover of ''Watchmen'' that while writing the series he was able to purge himself of his nostalgia for superheroes, and instead he found an interest in real human beings.<ref name="cba" />

[[File:Who Watches the Watchmen.jpg|thumb|Graffiti similar to that which appears in ''Watchmen''. [[Hemel Hempstead]], May 2008]]
Bradford Wright described ''Watchmen'' as "Moore's obituary for the concept of heroes in general and superheroes in particular."{{sfn|Wright|2001|p=272}} Putting the story in a contemporary sociological context, Wright wrote that the characters of ''Watchmen'' were Moore's "admonition to those who trusted in 'heroes' and leaders to guard the world's fate". He added that to place faith in such icons was to give up personal responsibility to "the [[Ronald Reagan|Reagans]], [[Margaret Thatcher|Thatchers]], and other 'Watchmen' of the world who supposed to 'rescue' us and perhaps lay waste to the planet in the process".{{sfn|Wright|2001|p=273}} Moore specifically stated in 1986 that he was writing ''Watchmen'' to be "not anti-Americanism, [but] anti-[[Political positions of Ronald Reagan|Reaganism]]", specifically believing that "at the moment a certain part of Reagan's America isn't scared. They think they're invulnerable."<ref name="TCJ116" /> Before the series premiered, Gibbons stated: "There's no overt political message at all. It's a fantasy extrapolation of what might happen and if people can see things in it that apply to the real America, then they're reading it into the comic [...]."<ref name=plowrightp54>Plowright, p. 54</ref> While Moore wanted to write about "power politics" and the "worrying" times he lived in, he stated the reason that the story was set in an alternate reality was because he was worried that readers would "switch off" if he attacked a leader they admired.<ref name="EW article 2" /> Moore stated in 1986 that he "was consciously trying to do something that would make people feel uneasy."<ref name="TCJ116" />

Citing ''Watchmen'' as the point where the comic book medium "came of age", [[Iain Thomson]] wrote in his essay "Deconstructing the Hero" that the story accomplished this by "developing its heroes precisely in order to ''deconstruct'' the very idea of the hero and so encouraging us to reflect upon its significance from the many different angles of the shards left lying on the ground".{{sfn|Thomson|2005|p=101}} Thomson stated that the heroes in ''Watchmen'' almost all share a [[nihilism|nihilistic]] outlook, and that Moore presents this outlook "as the simple, unvarnished truth" to "deconstruct the would-be hero's ultimate motivation, namely, to provide a secular salvation and so attain a mortal immortality".{{sfn|Thomson|2005|p=108}} He wrote that the story "develops its heroes precisely in order to ask us if we would not in fact be better off without heroes".{{sfn|Thomson|2005|p=109}} Thomson added that the story's deconstruction of the hero concept "suggests that perhaps the time for heroes has passed", which he feels distinguishes "this postmodern work" from the deconstructions of the hero in the [[existentialism]] movement.{{sfn|Thomson|2005|p=111}} Richard Reynolds states that without any supervillains in the story, the superheroes of ''Watchmen'' are forced to confront "more intangible social and moral concerns", adding that this removes the superhero concept from the normal narrative expectations of the genre.{{sfn|Reynolds|1992|p=115}} Reynolds concludes that the series' ironic self-awareness of the genre "all mark out ''Watchmen'' either as the last key superhero text, or the first in a new maturity of the genre".{{sfn|Reynolds|1992|p=117}}

Geoff Klock eschewed the term "deconstruction" in favor of describing ''Watchmen'' as a "revisionary superhero narrative". He considers ''Watchmen'' and [[Frank Miller]]'s ''[[Batman: The Dark Knight Returns]]'' to be "the first instances [...] of [a] new kind of comic book [...] a first phase of development, the transition of the superhero from fantasy to literature."{{sfn|Klock|2002|pp=25,26}} He elaborates by noting that "Alan Moore's realism [...] performs a ''[[kenosis]]'' towards comic book history [...] [which] does not ennoble and empower his characters [...] Rather, it sends a wave of disruption back through superhero history [...] devalue[ing] one of the basic superhero conventions by placing his masked crime fighters in a realistic world".{{sfn|Klock|2002|p=63}} First and foremost, "Moore's exploration of the [often compromised] motives for costumed crimefighting sheds a disturbing light on past superhero stories, and forces the reader to reevaluate—to revision—every superhero in terms of Moore's ''kenosis''—his emptying out of the tradition".{{sfn|Klock|2002|p=65}} Klock relates the title to the quote by Juvenal to highlight the problem of controlling those who hold power and quoted repeatedly within the work itself.{{sfn|Klock|2002|p=62}} The deconstructive nature of ''Watchmen'' is, Klock notes, played out on the page also as, "[l]ike Alan Moore's ''kenosis'', [Veidt] must destroy, then reconstruct, in order to build 'a unity which would survive him.{{' "}}{{sfn|Klock|2002|p=75}}

Moore has expressed dismay that "[t]he gritty, deconstructivist postmodern superhero comic, as exemplified by ''Watchmen'' [...] became a genre". He said in 2003 that "to some degree there has been, in the 15 years since ''Watchmen'', an awful lot of the comics field devoted to these grim, pessimistic, nasty, violent stories which kind of use ''Watchmen'' to validate what are, in effect, often just some very nasty stories that don't have a lot to recommend them".<ref>Robinson, Tasha. "[https://www.avclub.com/content/node/22543 Interviews: Alan Moore]". AVClub.com. June 25, 2003. Retrieved on October 15, 2008. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216124431/http://www.avclub.com/content/node/22543 |date=December 16, 2008 }}</ref> Gibbons said that while readers "were left with the idea that it was a grim and gritty kind of thing", he said in his view the series was "a wonderful celebration of superheroes as much as anything else".{{sfn|Salisbury|2000|p=96}}

== Publication and reception ==
[[File:Alan Moore.jpg|left|thumb|[[Alan Moore]], co-creator of ''Watchmen'', severed his ties with DC Comics over contractual issues related to the work.]]
''Watchmen'' was first mentioned publicly in the 1985 ''[[Amazing Heroes]] Preview''.<ref>Plowright, p. 42</ref> When Moore and Gibbons turned in the first issue of their series to DC, Gibbons recalled, "What really clinched it [...] was [writer/artist] [[Howard Chaykin]], who doesn't give praise lightly, and who came up and said, 'Dave what you've done on ''Watchmen'' is freaking A.{{'"}}<ref name="Duin-Gibbons">Duin, Steve and Richardson, Mike. ''Comics: Between the Panels''. Dark Horse Comics, 1998. {{ISBN|978-1-56971-344-0}}, pp. 460–461</ref> Speaking in 1986, Moore said, "DC backed us all the way [...] and have been really supportive about even the most graphic excesses".<ref name="TCJ116" /> To promote the series, DC Comics released a limited-edition badge ("button") display card set, featuring characters and images from the series. Ten thousand sets of the four badges, including a replica of the blood-stained [[smiley|smiley face]] badge worn by the Comedian in the story, were released and sold.<ref name="Pebbles116" /> [[Mayfair Games]] introduced a [[Who Watches the Watchmen?|''Watchmen'' module]] for its ''[[DC Heroes]]'' Role-playing Game series that was released before the series concluded. The module, which was endorsed by Moore (who also provided story assistance),<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2019 |title=Exclusive: How Alan Moore Helped Create the Watchmen Role-Playing Game |url=https://13thdimension.com/exclusive-how-alan-moore-helped-create-the-watchmen-role-playing-game/ |access-date=February 29, 2024 |website=13th Dimension |language=en-US |archive-date=March 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310180548/https://13thdimension.com/exclusive-how-alan-moore-helped-create-the-watchmen-role-playing-game/ |url-status=live }}</ref> adds details to the series' backstory by portraying events that occurred in 1966.<ref>Gomez, Jeffrey. "Who Watches the Watchmen?". ''Gateways''. June 1987.</ref>

''Watchmen'' was published in single-issue form over the course of 1986 and 1987. The [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]] was a commercial success, and its sales helped DC Comics briefly overtake its competitor [[Marvel Comics]] in the comic book direct market.{{sfn|Wright|2001|p=273}} The series' publishing schedule ran into delays because it was scheduled with three issues completed instead of the six editor Len Wein believed were necessary. Further delays were caused when later issues each took more than a month to complete.<ref name="CBR Amaya 2008" /> One contemporaneous report noted that although DC solicited issue #12 for publication in April 1987, it became apparent "it [wouldn't] debut until July or August".<ref name="S&S116" />

After the series concluded, the individual issues were collected and sold in [[trade paperback (comics)|trade paperback]] form. Along with [[Frank Miller]]'s 1986 ''[[The Dark Knight Returns|Batman: The Dark Knight Returns]]'' miniseries, ''Watchmen'' was marketed as a "[[graphic novel]]", a term that allowed DC and other publishers to sell similar comic book collections in a way that associated them with novels and dissociated them from comics.{{sfn|Sabin|1996|p=165}} As a result of the publicity given to the books like the ''Watchmen'' trade in 1987, bookstores and public libraries began to devote special shelves to them. Subsequently, new comics series were commissioned on the basis of reprinting them in a collected form for these markets.{{sfn|Sabin|1996|pp=165-167}}

''Watchmen'' received critical praise, both inside and outside of the comics industry. ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine, which noted that the series was "by common assent the best of breed" of the new wave of comics published at the time, praised ''Watchmen'' as "a superlative feat of imagination, combining sci-fi, political satire, knowing evocations of comics past and bold reworkings of current graphic formats into a {{sic|dysutopian}} mystery story".<ref>Cocks, Jay (January 25, 1988). [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,966542-2,00.html "The Passing of Pow! and Blam!"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826233704/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,966542-2,00.html |date=August 26, 2009 }}. (2 of 2). ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''. Retrieved on September 19, 2008.</ref> In 1988, ''Watchmen'' received a [[Hugo Award]] in the Other Forms category.<ref name="HugoAward">[http://www.thehugoawards.org/?page_id=32 1988 Hugo Awards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421021053/http://www.thehugoawards.org/?page_id=32 |date=April 21, 2009 }}. The HugoAwards.com. Retrieved on September 22, 2008.</ref> According to Gibbons, Moore had his award placed upside down in his garden and used it as a bird table.<ref>{{cite web |last1=IGN |title=Dave Gibbons Studio Tour |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATklwxxTmWg |website=YouTube |date=June 8, 2015 |access-date=April 12, 2022 |archive-date=April 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412025241/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATklwxxTmWg |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[David Langford|Dave Langford]] reviewed ''Watchmen'' for ''[[White Dwarf (magazine)|White Dwarf]]'' #96, and stated that "The modern myth of the Superhero is curiously powerful despite its usual silliness; ''Watchmen'' lovingly disassembles the mythology into bloodstained cogs and ratchets, concluding with the famous quotation ''[[Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?]]''"<ref name="WD96">{{cite magazine |last=Langford |first=Dave | author-link =David Langford |title=Critical Mass |magazine=[[White Dwarf (magazine)|White Dwarf]] |issue=96 |pages=13 |publisher=[[Games Workshop]] |date=December 1987}}</ref>

=== Ownership disputes ===
Disagreements about the ownership of the story ultimately led Moore to sever ties with DC Comics.<ref name="NYC Itzkoff">{{cite news |last=Itzkoff |first=Dave |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/12/movies/12itzk.html?_r=4&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin |title=The Vendetta Behind 'V for Vendetta |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 12, 2006 |access-date=October 7, 2008 | archive-date = May 26, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140526064658/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/12/movies/12itzk.html?_r=4&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin | url-status = live}}</ref> Not wanting to work under a [[work for hire]] arrangement, Moore and Gibbons had a reversion clause in their contract for ''Watchmen''. Speaking at the 1985 [[San Diego Comic-Con]], Moore said: "The way it works, if I understand it, is that DC owns it for the time they're publishing it, and then it reverts to Dave and me, so we can make all the money from the [[Slurpee]] cups."<ref name="TCJ106" /> For ''Watchmen'', Moore and Gibbons received eight percent of the series' earnings.<ref name="strange" /> Moore explained in 1986 that his understanding was that when "DC have not used the characters for a year, they're ours."<ref name="TCJ116" /> Both Moore and Gibbons said DC paid them "a substantial amount of money" to retain the rights. Moore added, "So basically they're not ours, but if DC is working with the characters in our interests then they might as well be. On the other hand, if the characters have outlived their natural life span and DC doesn't want to do anything with them, then after a year we've got them and we can do what we want with them, which I'm perfectly happy with."<ref name="TCJ116" />

Moore said he left DC in 1989 due to the language in his contracts for ''Watchmen'' and his ''[[V for Vendetta]]'' series with artist [[David Lloyd (comics)|David Lloyd]]. Moore felt the reversion clauses were ultimately meaningless because DC did not intend to let the publications go out of print. He told ''The New York Times'' in 2006, "I said, 'Fair enough&nbsp;... You have managed to successfully swindle me, and so I will never work for you again.{{Single double}}<ref name="NYC Itzkoff" /> In 2000, Moore publicly distanced himself from DC's plans for a 15th anniversary ''Watchmen'' hardcover release as well as a proposed line of action figures from [[DC Direct]]. While DC wanted to mend its relationship with the writer, Moore felt the company was not treating him fairly in regard to his [[America's Best Comics]] imprint (launched under the [[WildStorm]] comic [[Imprint (trade name)|imprint]], which was bought by DC in 1998; Moore was promised no direct interference by DC as part of the arrangement). Moore added, "As far as I'm concerned, the 15th anniversary of ''Watchmen'' is purely a 15th Anniversary of when DC managed to take the ''Watchmen'' property from me and Dave [Gibbons]."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20081216124434/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?threadid=34286 "Moore Leaves the Watchmen 15th anniversary plans"]. ''[[Newsarama]]'', August 2000. Retrieved on October 7, 2008. Archived from the [http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?threadid=34286 original] on December 16, 2008.</ref> Soon afterward, DC Direct canceled the ''Watchmen'' action-figure line, despite the company having displayed prototypes at the 2000 San Diego Comic-Con.<ref name="toys">St-Louis, Hervé. [http://www.comicbookbin.com/Watchmen_Action_Figures001.html "Watchmen Action Figures&nbsp;– Controversies and Fulfillment"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100119052604/http://www.comicbookbin.com/Watchmen_Action_Figures001.html |date=January 19, 2010 }}. ''ComicBookBin'', August 18, 2008. Retrieved on December 24, 2008.</ref>

==Prequel projects==
{{Main|Before Watchmen}}
Moore stated in 1985 that if the limited series was well-received, he and Gibbons would possibly create a 12-issue [[prequel]] series called ''Minutemen'' featuring the 1940s superhero group from the story.<ref name="TCJ106" /> DC offered Moore and Gibbons chances to publish prequels to the series, such as ''Rorschach's Journal'' or ''The Comedian's Vietnam War Diary'', as well as hinting at the possibility of other authors using the same universe. Tales of the Comedian's Vietnam War experiences were floated because ''[[The 'Nam]]'' was popular at the time, while another suggestion was, according to Gibbons, for a "Nite Owl/Rorschach team" (in the manner of ''[[Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)]]''). Neither man felt the stories would have gone anywhere, with Moore particularly adamant that DC not go forward with stories by other individuals.<ref name="CI65p61">"Watchmen Round Table: Moore & Gibbons". ''[[David Anthony Kraft]]'s Comics Interview''. Issue 65, 1988.</ref> Gibbons was more attracted to the idea of a ''Minutemen'' series because it would have "[paid] homage to the simplicity and unsophisticated nature of Golden Age comic books—with the added dramatic interest that it would be a story whose conclusion is already known. It would be, perhaps, interesting to see how we got to the conclusion."<ref name="Comics Bulletin" />

In 2010, Moore told ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' that DC offered him the rights to ''Watchmen'' back if he would agree to prequel and sequel projects. Moore said that "if they said that 10 years ago, when I asked them for that, then yeah it might have worked [...] But these days I don't want ''Watchmen'' back. Certainly, I don't want it back under those kinds of terms." DC Comics co-publishers [[Dan DiDio]] and [[Jim Lee]] responded: "DC Comics would only revisit these iconic characters if the creative vision of any proposed new stories matched the quality set by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons nearly 25 years ago, and our first discussion on any of this would naturally be with the creators themselves."<ref name="wired.com">Thill, Scott (July 21, 2010). [https://www.wired.com/underwire/2010/07/alan-moore-watchmen "Alan Moore: 'I Don't Want Watchmen Back'"]. ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]''. Retrieved on July 21, 2010. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224131742/http://www.wired.com/underwire/2010/07/alan-moore-watchmen |date=December 24, 2011 }}</ref> Following months of rumors about a potential ''Watchmen'' follow-up project, in February 2012 DC announced it was publishing seven prequel series under the "''Before Watchmen''" banner. Among the creators involved were writers [[J. Michael Straczynski]], [[Brian Azzarello]], [[Darwyn Cooke]], and Len Wein, and artists [[Lee Bermejo]], [[J. G. Jones]], [[Adam Hughes]], [[Andy Kubert]], [[Joe Kubert]], and [[Amanda Conner]]. Though Moore had no involvement with ''Before Watchmen'', Gibbons supplied the project with a statement in the initial press announcement:
{{blockquote|The original series of ''Watchmen'' is the complete story that Alan Moore and I wanted to tell. However, I appreciate DC's reasons for this initiative and the wish of the artists and writers involved to pay tribute to our work. May these new additions have the success they desire.<ref name="Phegley"/>}}

==Sequels==
===Comic book sequel: ''Doomsday Clock''===
{{Main|Doomsday Clock (comics)}}
The sequel to ''Watchmen'', entitled ''Doomsday Clock'', is part of the [[DC Rebirth]] line of comics, additionally continuing a narrative established with 2016's one-shot ''[[DC Universe: Rebirth Special]]'' and 2017's crossover ''[[The Button (comics)|The Button]]'', both of which featured [[Doctor Manhattan]] in a minor capacity. The miniseries, taking place seven years after the events of ''Watchmen'' in November 1992, follows [[Ozymandias (Watchmen)|Ozymandias]] as he attempts to locate Doctor Manhattan alongside Reginald Long, the successor of Walter Kovacs as Rorschach, following the exposure and subsequent failure of his plan for peace and the subsequent impending nuclear war between the United States and Russia.<ref name="screenrant_sequel">{{cite web |last1=Mithaiwala |first1=Mansoor |title=DC Confirms Doomsday Clock is a Watchmen Sequel |url=https://screenrant.com/doomsday-clock-watchmen-sequel/ |website=Screen Rant |access-date=October 8, 2017 |date=October 5, 2017|archive-date=July 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728003920/https://screenrant.com/doomsday-clock-watchmen-sequel/|url-status=live}}</ref> The series was revealed on May 14, 2017, with a teaser image displaying the [[Superman logo]] in the 12 o'clock slot of the clock depicted in ''Watchmen'' and the series title in the bold typeface used for ''Watchmen''.<ref name="syfy_interview">{{cite web |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/dc-comics-geoff-johns-doomsday-clock-interview |title=Exclusive: DC Comics' Geoff Johns reveals teaser, details on Watchmen/Rebirth title Doomsday Clock |work=[[SyfyWire]] |first=Aaron |last=Sagers |date=May 14, 2017 |access-date=August 3, 2017 | archive-date=August 4, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804013325/http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/dc-comics-geoff-johns-doomsday-clock-interview | url-status=live}}</ref> The first of a planned twelve issues was released on November 22, 2017.<ref name="polygon_sdcc">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/comics/2017/7/20/16006810/doomsday-clock-dc-comics-san-diego-comic-con |title=Doomsday Clock is a countdown to the future of the DC Universe |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |first=Susana |last=Polo |date=July 20, 2017 |access-date=August 3, 2017 | archive-date=June 25, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625075506/https://www.polygon.com/comics/2017/7/20/16006810/doomsday-clock-dc-comics-san-diego-comic-con | url-status=live}}</ref>

The story includes many DC characters but has a particular focus on [[Superman]] and Doctor Manhattan, despite Superman stated as being a fictional character in the original series—the series uses the plot element of the [[Multiverse (DC Comics)|multiverse]]. Writer [[Geoff Johns]] felt like there was an interesting story to be told in Rebirth with Doctor Manhattan. He thought there was an interesting dichotomy between Superman—an alien who embodies and is compassionate for humanity—and Doctor Manhattan—a human who has detached himself from humanity. This led to over six months of debates among the creative team about whether to intersect the ''Watchmen'' universe with the [[DC Universe]], through the plot element of alternate realities. He explained that ''Doomsday Clock'' was the "most personal and most epic, utterly mind-bending project" that he had worked on in his career.<ref name="syfy_interview" />

===Television series sequel===
{{Main|Watchmen (TV series)}}
[[HBO]] brought on [[Damon Lindelof]] to develop a [[Watchmen (TV series)|''Watchmen'' television show]], which premiered on October 20, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/watchmen-tv-series-damon-lindelof-works-at-hbo-1014987 |title='Watchmen' TV Series From Damon Lindelof in the Works at HBO |work=The Hollywood Reporter |last=Goldberg |first=Lesley |date=June 20, 2017|access-date=April 20, 2020|archive-date=April 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408084928/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/watchmen-tv-series-damon-lindelof-works-at-hbo-1014987|url-status=live}}</ref> Lindelof, a fan of the limited series, made the show a "remix" of the comic, narratively a sequel while introducing a new set of characters and story that he felt made the work unique enough without being a full reboot of the comic series.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/09/18/damon-lindelof-watchmen-interview/ |title=Damon Lindelof gives his first deep-dive interview for HBO's Watchmen |first=James |last=Hibbard |date=September 18, 2019 |access-date=October 21, 2019 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] | archive-date = October 8, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191008110634/https://ew.com/tv/2019/09/18/damon-lindelof-watchmen-interview/ | url-status = live}}</ref> Among its main cast are [[Regina King]], [[Don Johnson]], [[Tim Blake Nelson]], [[Yahya Abdul-Mateen II]], and [[Jeremy Irons]]. The television show takes place in 2019, 34 years after the end of the limited series, and is primarily set in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Due to liberal policies set by President [[Robert Redford]] to provide reparations to those affected by racial violence, white supremacist groups (following the writings of Rorschach) attack the police who enforce these policies, leading to laws requiring police to hide their identity and wear masks. This has allowed new masked crime fighters to assist the police against the supremacists. Doctor Manhattan, Adrian Veidt / Ozymandias, and Laurie Blake / Silk Spectre are central characters to the show's plot.

==Adaptations==
===Film adaptation===
{{Main|Watchmen (2009 film)}}
{{See also|Production of Watchmen (2009 film)}}
There have been numerous attempts to make a film version of ''Watchmen'' since 1986, when producers [[Lawrence Gordon (producer)|Lawrence Gordon]] and [[Joel Silver]] acquired film rights to the series for [[20th Century Fox]].<ref>Thompson, Anne. "Filmmakers intent on producing new comic-book movies". ''Sun-Sentinel''. August 26, 1986.</ref> Fox asked Alan Moore to write a screenplay based on his story,<ref name="hughes" /> but he declined, so the studio enlisted screenwriter [[Sam Hamm]]. Hamm took the liberty of re-writing ''Watchmen''{{'}}s complicated ending into a "more manageable" conclusion involving an assassination and a time paradox.<ref name="hughes">Hughes, David. "Who Watches the ''Watchmen''? – How The Greatest Graphic Novel of Them All Confounded Hollywood". ''The Greatest Sci-Fi Movies Never Made''. Chicago Review Press, 2002. {{ISBN|978-1-55652-449-3}}, p. 144</ref> Fox put the project into [[turnaround (filmmaking)|turnaround]] in 1991,<ref name="turnaround">{{cite news |url=http://cinechew.com/battle-watchmen-surrounds-producer/ |title=Battle Over 'Watchmen' Surrounds a Producer |author=Cieply, Michael |date=September 20, 2008 |work=The New York Times |access-date=February 10, 2015|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211000522/http://cinechew.com/battle-watchmen-surrounds-producer/ |archive-date=February 11, 2015}}</ref> and the project was moved to [[Warner Bros. Pictures]], where [[Terry Gilliam]] was attached to direct and [[Charles McKeown]] to rewrite it. They used the character Rorschach's diary as a [[voice-over]] and restored scenes from the comic book that Hamm had removed.<ref name="hughes" /> Gilliam and Silver were only able to raise $25 million for the film (a quarter of the necessary budget) because their previous films had gone over budget.<ref name="hughes" /> Gilliam abandoned the project because he decided that ''Watchmen'' would have been [[unfilmable]]. "Reducing [the story] to a two or two-and-a-half hour film [...] seemed to me to take away the essence of what ''Watchmen'' is about," he said.<ref>{{cite web |url-status=dead|url=https://www.empireonline.com/News/story.asp?nid=13532 |title=Python Won't Bite For ''Watchmen'' |website=Empire |date=November 13, 2000 |access-date=October 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814100157/http://www.empireonline.com/News/story.asp?nid=13532 |archive-date=August 14, 2011}}</ref> After Warner Bros. dropped the project, Gordon invited Gilliam back to helm the film independently. The director again declined, believing that the comic book would be better directed as a five-hour [[miniseries]].<ref>{{cite web |url-status=dead |last1=Plume |first1=Kenneth |url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/035/035925p1.html |title=Interview with Terry Gilliam (Part 3 of 4) |website=IGN |date=November 17, 2000 |access-date=October 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221142733/http://movies.ign.com/articles/035/035925p1.html |archive-date=February 21, 2010}}</ref>

[[File:Archie (Nite Owl ship) 2.jpg|thumb|left|Interior set of Nite Owl's vehicle "Archie" from the film version of ''Watchmen'', displayed at Comic-Con 2008]]
In October 2001, Gordon partnered with [[Lloyd Levin]] and [[Universal Pictures|Universal Studios]], hiring [[David Hayter]] to write and direct.<ref name=watches>{{cite web |url-status=dead |author=Stax |url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/315/315547p1.html |title=David Hayter Watches ''The Watchmen'' |website=IGN |date=October 27, 2001 |access-date=October 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201095453/http://movies.ign.com/articles/315/315547p1.html |archive-date=February 1, 2009}}</ref> Hayter and the producers left Universal due to creative differences,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-miscellaneous/4403207-1.html |title='Watchmen' on Duty at Warner Bros |agency=Book Standard |date=December 19, 2005 |access-date=December 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313105535/http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-miscellaneous/4403207-1.html |archive-date=March 13, 2008 |website=AllBusiness}}</ref> and Gordon and Levin expressed interest in setting up ''Watchmen'' at [[Revolution Studios]]. The project did not hold together at Revolution Studios and subsequently fell apart.<ref name="revpar">{{cite web |url-status=dead |last1=Linder |first1=Brian |url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/532/532914p1.html |title=Aronofksy Still Watching ''Watchmen'' |website=IGN |date=July 23, 2004 |access-date=October 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215165307/http://movies.ign.com/articles/532/532914p1.html |archive-date=February 15, 2009}}</ref> In July 2004, it was announced [[Paramount Pictures]] would produce ''Watchmen'', and they attached [[Darren Aronofsky]] to direct Hayter's script. Producers Gordon and Levin remained attached, collaborating with Aronofsky's producing partner, Eric Watson.<ref>{{cite web |url-status=dead |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/film/brief_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000584187 |title='Watchmen' unmasked for Par, Aronofsky |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=July 23, 2004 |access-date=October 8, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041010075611/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/film/brief_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000584187 |archive-date=October 10, 2004}}</ref> Aronofsky left to focus on ''[[The Fountain]]'' and was replaced by [[Paul Greengrass]].<ref name=nyt-watchmenskulk>{{cite news |title=Watchmen Skulk to the Screen |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/movies/01itzk.html?pagewanted=all |first=Dave |last=Itzkoff |date=January 30, 2009 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=March 21, 2013 | archive-date = May 15, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130515111531/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/movies/01itzk.html?pagewanted=all | url-status = live}}</ref> Ultimately, Paramount placed ''Watchmen'' in turnaround.<ref>"[https://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?nid=16857 Someone To Watch Over 'Watchmen]". ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'', June 7, 2005. Retrieved on October 18, 2008. [https://web.archive.org/web/20121116191512/http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?nid=16857 Archived] on November 16, 2012.</ref>

In October 2005, Gordon and Levin met with Warner Bros. to develop the film there again.<ref>Stax. "[http://comics.ign.com/articles/661/661027p1.html ''Watchmen'' Resurrected?]". IGN.com. October 25, 2005. Retrieved on October 18, 2008. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216124549/http://comics.ign.com/articles/661/661027p1.html |date=December 16, 2008 }}</ref> Impressed with [[Zack Snyder]]'s work on ''[[300 (film)|300]]'', Warner Bros. approached him to direct an adaptation of ''Watchmen''.<ref name="kickin ass">{{cite web |last=Sanchez |first=Robert |url=http://iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1883&Itemid=99 |title=Exclusive Interview: Zack Snyder Is Kickin' Ass With ''300'' and ''Watchmen'' |publisher=IESB.net |date=February 13, 2007 |access-date=October 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217033245/http://iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1883&Itemid=99 |archive-date=February 17, 2007}}</ref> Screenwriter [[Alex Tse]] drew from his favorite elements of Hayter's script,<ref>Ellwood, Gregory. "[https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/world-awaits-watchmen-1200339571/ World awaits ''Watchmen'']". ''Variety''. July 18, 2006. Retrieved on October 18, 2008. [https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/world-awaits-watchmen-1200339571/]</ref> but also returned it to the original [[Cold War]] setting of the ''Watchmen'' comic. Similar to his approach to ''300'', Snyder used the comic book panel-grid as a [[storyboard]] and opted to shoot the entire film using live-action sets instead of [[green screens]].<ref name="post game">Weiland, Jonah. "[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=9647 ''300'' Post-Game: One-On-One With Zack Snyder] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218151250/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=9647 |date=December 18, 2008}}". ComicBookResources.com. March 14, 2007. Retrieved on March 16, 2007.</ref> He extended the fight scenes,<ref>Davis, Erik. "[http://www.cinematical.com/2008/10/07/cinematical-watches-the-watchmen/ Cinematical Watches The 'Watchmen']". Cinematical.com October 7, 2008. Retrieved on October 7, 2008 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225165952/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/10/07/cinematical-watches-the-watchmen |date=February 25, 2009}}</ref> and added a [[subplot]] about energy resources to make the film more topical.<ref>Jensen, Jeff. "[https://ew.com/article/2008/07/21/watchmen-exclusive-first-look/ {{-'}}Watchmen': An Exclusive First Look]". ''Entertainment Weekly''. July 17, 2008, Retrieved on July 17, 2008. [https://ew.com/article/2008/07/21/watchmen-exclusive-first-look/]</ref> Although he intended to stay faithful to the look of the characters in the comic, Snyder intended Nite Owl to look scarier,<ref name="post game" /> and made Ozymandias' armor into a parody of the rubber muscle suits from the 1997 superhero film ''[[Batman & Robin (film)|Batman & Robin]]''.<ref name="Comics Bulletin" /> After the trailer to the film premiered in July 2008, DC Comics president [[Paul Levitz]] said that the company had to print more than 900,000 copies of ''Watchmen'' trade collection to meet the additional demand for the book that the advertising campaign had generated, with the total annual print run expected to be over one million copies.<ref>Gustines, George Gene. "[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/14/arts/14arts-FILMTRAILERA_BRF.html?_r=1&ref=arts&oref=slogin Film Trailer Aids Sales of 'Watchmen' Novel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701103901/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/14/arts/14arts-FILMTRAILERA_BRF.html?_r=1&ref=arts&oref=slogin |date=July 1, 2017}}". ''The New York Times''. August 13, 2008. Retrieved on September 24, 2008.</ref> While 20th Century Fox filed a lawsuit to block the film's release, the studios eventually settled, with Warner agreeing to give Fox 8.5 percent of the film's worldwide gross, including from sequels and spin-offs in return.<ref name=nyt-watchmenskulk /> The film was released to theaters in March 2009 to mixed reviews and grossed $185 million worldwide.

''Tales of the Black Freighter'' was adapted as a [[direct-to-video]] animated feature from [[Warner Premiere]] and [[Warner Bros. Animation]], which was released on March 24, 2009.<ref name=dvd>{{cite news |author=Brooks Barnes |title=Warner Tries a New Tactic to Revive Its DVD Sales |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=May 26, 2008 |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/26/business/media/26retail.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin |access-date=May 26, 2008 |archive-date=April 23, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423212700/http://www.nytimes.com/glogin?URI=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2008%2F05%2F26%2Fbusiness%2Fmedia%2F26retail.html&OQ=_rQ3D2Q26refQ3DbusinessQ26orefQ3Dslogin&OP=17dede1bQ2F0AUZ0%28YQ60uVYY9Q5D0Q5DFFP0Ft0Q5Ds0ZkuSIUuu0Q23U%28So0Q5DsVU9oSfyQ7D9Q23f |url-status=live }}</ref> It was originally included in the screenplay for the [[Watchmen (2009 film)|''Watchmen'' film]],<ref name="update">{{cite news |author=Jonah Weiland |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=8847 |title=Snyder Gives A ''Watchmen'' Update |work=[[Comic Book Resources]] |date=November 9, 2006 |access-date=November 9, 2006 |archive-date=April 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415122144/http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=8847 |url-status=dead }}</ref> but was cut due to budget restrictions,<ref name=pirates>{{cite news |author=Eric Vespe |title=Zack Snyder and Quint have a brief conversation about ''Watchmen''! Pirate storyline! Rorschach! More!!!! |work=[[Ain't It Cool News]] |date=July 29, 2007 |url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/33491 |access-date=July 29, 2007 |archive-date=January 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102233759/http://www.aintitcool.com/node/33491 |url-status=live }}</ref> as the segment would have added $20 million to the budget, because Snyder wanted to film it in a stylized manner reminiscent of ''[[300 (film)|300]]''.<ref name=dvd /> [[Gerard Butler]], who starred in ''300'', voices the Captain in the film, having been promised a role in ''Watchmen'' that never materialized.<ref>Hewitt, Chris. "[https://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=22088 Gerard Butler Talks Black Freighter]". EmpireOnline.com. February 28, 2008. Retrieved on February 28, 2008. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814100208/http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=22088 |date=August 14, 2011}}</ref>
[[Jared Harris]] voices his deceased friend Ridley, whom the Captain hallucinates is talking to him. Snyder had Butler and Harris record their parts together.<ref>{{cite news |author=Ian Spelling |title=Jared Harris finds his inner ghostly sailor in Black Freighter |work=[[Sci Fi Wire]] |date=March 4, 2009 |url=http://scifiwire.com/2009/03/jared-harris-finds-his-inner-ghostly-sailor-in-black-freighter.php |access-date=March 4, 2009 |archive-date=March 5, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305143349/http://scifiwire.com/2009/03/jared-harris-finds-his-inner-ghostly-sailor-in-black-freighter.php |url-status=dead}}</ref> Snyder considered including the animated film in the final cut,<ref name=fanqaa>{{cite news |title=Zack Snyder Fan Q&A — Part II |work=WatchmenComicMovie.com |date=February 14, 2008 |url=http://www.watchmencomicmovie.com/021408-zack-snyder-watchmen-interview.php |access-date=February 15, 2008 |archive-date=July 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718003517/http://www.watchmencomicmovie.com/021408-zack-snyder-watchmen-interview.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> but the film was already approaching a three-hour running time.<ref name=dvd /> The ''Tales of the Black Freighter'' was given standalone DVD release which also includes ''Under the Hood'', a documentary detailing the characters' backstories, named after the character [[Hollis Mason]]'s (the first [[Nite Owl]]) memoirs.<ref name=dvd /><ref name=murder>{{cite news |author=Bill Desowitz |title=Snyder Discusses Extended Versions of Watchmen |work=VFXWorld |date=February 18, 2009 |url=http://www.vfxworld.com/?sa=adv&code=3631a5a1&atype=news&id=26500 |access-date=February 19, 2009 |archive-date=July 10, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710021132/http://www.vfxworld.com/?sa=adv&code=3631a5a1&atype=news&id=26500 |url-status=live }}</ref> The film itself was released on DVD four months after ''Tales of the Black Freighter'',<ref name=dvd /> and in November 2009, a four-disc set was released as the "Ultimate Cut" with the animated film edited back into the main picture.<ref>Woodward, Tom. "[http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/watchmen-ultimate-cut.html Watchmen: Ultimate Cut (US – BD)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510182156/http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/watchmen-ultimate-cut.html |date=May 10, 2013}} " DVDActive.com. Retrieved on February 10, 2013.</ref> The director's cut and the extended version of ''Watchmen'' both include ''Tales of the Black Freighter'' on their DVD releases.<ref name=dvd />

Len Wein, the comic's editor, wrote a video game prequel entitled ''[[Watchmen: The End Is Nigh]]''.<ref>Totilo, Stephen. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20080828183735/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1591385/20080723/id_0.jhtml {{-'}}Watchmen' Video Game Preview: Rorschach And Nite Owl Star In Subversive Prequel Set In 1970s]. MTV.com. July 23, 2008. Retrieved on December 24, 2008.</ref>

Dave Gibbons became an adviser on Snyder's film, but Moore has refused to have his name attached to any film adaptations of his work.<ref name="Alan Moore – Films">MacDonald, Heidi. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20080616085226/http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA604654.html?pubdate=5%2F30%2F2005&display=archive Moore Leaves DC for Top Shelf]". PublishersWeekly.com. May 30, 2005. Retrieved on April 15, 2006.</ref> Moore has stated he has no interest in seeing Snyder's adaptation; he told ''Entertainment Weekly'' in 2008 that "[t]here are things that we did with ''Watchmen'' that could only work in a comic, and were indeed designed to show off things that other media can't".<ref>Gopalan, Nisha. "[https://ew.com/article/2008/07/21/qa-watchmen-creator-alan-moore/ Alan Moore Still Knows the Score!]" ''Entertainment Weekly''. July 16, 2008. Retrieved on September 22, 2008. [https://ew.com/article/2008/07/21/qa-watchmen-creator-alan-moore/]</ref> While Moore believes that David Hayter's screenplay was "as close as I could imagine anyone getting to ''Watchmen''", he asserted he did not intend to see the film if it were made.<ref name="EW article 5">Jensen, Jeff. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20070314200504/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1120854_5,00.html Watchmen: An Oral History (5 of 6)]". ''Entertainment Weekly''. October 21, 2005. Retrieved on October 8, 2008.</ref>

===Motion comic===
{{Main|Watchmen: Motion Comic}}
In 2008, Warner Bros. Entertainment released ''Watchmen Motion Comics'', a series of narrated animations of the original comic book. The first chapter was released for purchase in the summer of 2008 on digital video stores, such as [[iTunes Store]].<ref>Marshall, Rick. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20081002140413/http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/10/01/new-watchmen-motion-comic-hits-itunes-next-week/ New 'Watchmen' Motion Comic Hits iTunes Next Week]". MTV.com. October 1, 2008. Retrieved on October 13, 2008.</ref> A DVD compiling the full [[motion comic]] series was released in March 2009.<ref>White, Cindy. "[http://dvd.ign.com/articles/955/955910p1.html Watchmen The Complete Motion Comic DVD Review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405225748/http://dvd.ign.com/articles/955/955910p1.html |date=April 5, 2012}}". IGN.com. February 20, 2009. Retrieved on July 11, 2009.</ref>

===Animated film===
{{Main|Watchmen Chapter 1||l1 = Watchmen Chapter I}}

Warner Bros. announced in April 2017 that they would develop an [[Motion Picture Association of America film rating system|R-rated]] animated film based on the comic book.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gerding |first1=Stephen |title=Watchmen Is Getting an R-Rated Animated Adaptation |url=http://www.cbr.com/watchmen-r-rated-animated-movie/ |date=April 13, 2017 |publisher=[[CBR.com]] |access-date=June 9, 2017 |archive-date=June 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609191709/http://www.cbr.com/watchmen-r-rated-animated-movie/ |url-status=live}}</ref> A teaser trailer was released on June 13, 2024, and revealed it to be a two-part film.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cripe |first=Michael |title=We Just Got a Surprise First Look at the Upcoming Watchmen Animated Films |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/we-just-got-a-surprise-first-look-at-the-upcoming-watchmen-animated-films |date=June 13, 2024 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=June 14, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/dc-studios-watchmen-animated-movie-announced/ |title=New Watchmen Movie Announced |website=Comic Book |last=Perine |first=Aaron |date=July 22, 2023 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722154315/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/dc-studios-watchmen-animated-movie-announced/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

''Watchmen Chapter I'' received a digital release on August 13, 2024, and [[Blu-ray]] and 4K Ultra HD release on August 27, 2024, ''Watchmen Chapter II'' released on November 26, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/watchmen-chapter-1-animated-film-trailer-cast-release-date-plot-boxart |title=Watchmen Chapter I: Exclusive Trailer, Voice Cast, Boxart and Release Date |website=[[IGN]] |last=Vejvoda |first=Jim |date=July 10, 2024 |access-date=July 10, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32627545/releaseinfo/?ref_=tt_dt_rdat |title=Watchmen: Chapter II (2024) - Release info - IMDb |language=en-US |access-date=2024-11-27 |via=www.imdb.com}}</ref>

===Arrowverse===
The [[HBO]] version of the ''[[Watchmen (TV series)|Watchmen]]'' was referenced in the [[Arrowverse]]'s ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths (Arrowverse)|Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' crossover. A sign could be seen on a building on [[Lucifer (TV series)|Earth-666]] advertising the show at the time when [[John Constantine (Arrowverse)|John Constantine]], [[John Diggle (Arrowverse)|John Diggle]], and [[Mia Smoak]] arrive on Earth-666 to enlist [[Lucifer Morningstar (Lucifer)|Lucifer]]'s help in entering [[Purgatory]] so that they can retrieve [[Oliver Queen (Arrowverse)|Oliver Queen]]'s soul.

==Legacy==
A critical and commercial success, ''Watchmen'' is highly regarded in the comics industry and is frequently considered by several critics and reviewers as comics' greatest series and graphic novel.<ref name="AboutReview">Albert, Aaron. "[http://comicbooks.about.com/od/comicbookreviews/fr/watchmen.htm ''Watchmen'' Graphic Novel Review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130326110952/http://comicbooks.about.com/od/comicbookreviews/fr/watchmen.htm |date=March 26, 2013 }} ". About.com. Retrieved on March 11, 2013.</ref><ref name="CSMonitor">Driscoll, Molly. "[http://www.csmonitor.com/Books/chapter-and-verse/2012/0201/Watchmen-prequels-provoke-debate-in-comic-book-community ''Watchmen'' prequels provoke debate in comic book community] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514031716/http://www.csmonitor.com/Books/chapter-and-verse/2012/0201/Watchmen-prequels-provoke-debate-in-comic-book-community |date=May 14, 2013 }}". ''The Christian Science Monitor''. February 1, 2012. Retrieved on March 11, 2013.</ref><ref name="IGN Essential">"[http://au.ign.com/wikis/holiday-gift-guide/All-Time_Essential_Comics All-Time Essential Comics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117063542/http://au.ign.com/wikis/holiday-gift-guide/All-Time_Essential_Comics |date=January 17, 2016 }}". IGN. Retrieved on March 11, 2013.</ref><ref name="ComicBookResources">"[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=34637 ''Watchmen'', Other DC Graphic Novels Announced as Kindle Fire Digital Exclusives] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606152851/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=34637 |date=June 6, 2013 }}". ''Comic Book Resources''. September 29, 2011. Retrieved on March 22, 2013.</ref> In addition to being one of the first major works to help popularize the graphic novel publishing format alongside ''[[The Dark Knight Returns]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/comics/2019/11/11/20931078/alan-moore-watchmen-name-hbo-dc-comics-rights-controversy |title=The reason Alan Moore doesn't want his name on HBO's Watchmen |first=Susano |last=Polo |date=November 11, 2019 |access-date=November 11, 2019 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] | archive-date = November 11, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191111161757/https://www.polygon.com/comics/2019/11/11/20931078/alan-moore-watchmen-name-hbo-dc-comics-rights-controversy | url-status = live}}</ref> ''Watchmen'' has also become one of the best-selling graphic novels ever published.<ref name="ComicBookResources" /><ref name="BleedingCool">Johnston, Rich. "[http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/12/10/before-watchmen-to-double-up-for-hardcover-collections/ ''Before Watchmen'' To Double Up For Hardcover Collections] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130113083744/http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/12/10/before-watchmen-to-double-up-for-hardcover-collections |date=January 13, 2013 }}". ''Bleeding Cool''. December 10, 2012. Retrieved on March 22, 2013.</ref> ''Watchmen'' was the only graphic novel to appear on ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''{{'}}s 2005 "All-''Time'' 100 Greatest Novels" list,<ref name="IGN Distinguished">Goldstein, Hilary. "[http://au.ign.com/articles/2005/10/17/watchmen-distinguished-in-time ''Watchmen'' Distinguished in Time] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130411033156/http://au.ign.com/articles/2005/10/17/watchmen-distinguished-in-time |date=April 11, 2013 }}". ''IGN''. October 17, 2005. Retrieved on March 11, 2013.</ref> where ''Time'' critic [[Lev Grossman]] described the story as "a heart-pounding, heartbreaking read and a watershed in the evolution of a young medium."<ref name="All-Time feature">Grossman, Lev. "[https://entertainment.time.com/2005/10/16/all-time-100-novels/slide/watchmen-1986-by-alan-moore-dave-gibbons/ ''Watchmen'' – ALL-''Time'' 100 Novels] ". ''Time''. October 16, 2005. Retrieved on March 9, 2013.</ref> It later appeared on ''Time''{{'}}s 2009 "Top 10 Graphic Novels" list, where Grossman further praised ''Watchmen'', proclaiming "It's way beyond cliché at this point to call ''Watchmen'' the greatest superhero comic ever written-slash-drawn. But it's true."<ref name="All-Time Graphic Novel">Grossman, Lev. "[https://entertainment.time.com/2009/03/06/top-10-graphic-novels/slide/watchmen/ ''Watchmen'' – Top 10 Graphic Novels] ". ''Time''. March 6, 2009. Retrieved on March 9, 2013.</ref> In 2008, ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' placed ''Watchmen'' at number 13 on its list of the best 50 novels printed in the last 25 years, describing it as "The greatest superhero story ever told and proof that comics are capable of smart, emotionally resonant narratives worthy of the label 'literature'."<ref>"The New Classics: Books". ''Entertainment Weekly''. June 27/July 4, 2008.</ref> ''[[The Comics Journal]]'', however, ranked ''Watchmen'' at number 91 on its list of the Top 100 English-language comics of the 20th century.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tcj.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=73&Itemid=48 |title=''The Comic Journal''{{'}}s Top 100 English-Language Comics of the 20th Century |work=[[The Comics Journal]] |date=February 15, 1999 |access-date=September 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620050038/http://www.tcj.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=73&Itemid=48 |archive-date=June 20, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In ''Art of the Comic Book: An Aesthetic History'', Robert Harvey wrote that, with ''Watchmen'', Moore and Gibbons "had demonstrated as never before the capacity of the [comic book] medium to tell a sophisticated story that could be engineered only in comics".{{sfn|Harvey|1996|p=150}} In his review of the Absolute Edition of the collection, Dave Itzkoff of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote that the dark legacy of ''Watchmen'', "one that Moore almost certainly never intended, whose DNA is encoded in the increasingly black inks and bleak storylines that have become the essential elements of the contemporary superhero comic book," is "a domain he has largely ceded to writers and artists who share his fascination with brutality but not his interest in its consequences, his eagerness to tear down old boundaries but not his drive to find new ones."<ref>Itzkoff, Dave. "[https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/20/books/review/20itzkoff.html?_r=1&oref=slogin Behind the Mask] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909103036/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/20/books/review/behind-the-mask.html |date=September 9, 2020 }}." ''The New York Times''. November 20, 2005. Retrieved on September 19, 2008.</ref> Alan Moore himself said his intentions with works like ''[[Marvelman]]'' and ''Watchmen'' were to liberate comics and open them up to new and fresh ideas, thus creating more diversity in the comics world by showing the industry what could be done with already existing concepts. Instead it had the opposite effect, confining the superhero comic to a "depressive ghetto of grimness and psychosis".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wilbur |first1=Brock |title=Alan Moore Now Believes 'The Killing Joke' Was Melodramatic, Not Interesting |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/14967-alan-moore-now-believes-the-killing-joke-was-melodramatic-not-interesting |website=Inverse |date=April 28, 2016 |access-date=April 29, 2016|archive-date=May 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507114536/https://www.inverse.com/article/14967-alan-moore-now-believes-the-killing-joke-was-melodramatic-not-interesting|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, Lydia Millet of ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' contested that ''Watchmen'' was worthy of such acclaim, and wrote that while the series' "vividly drawn panels, moody colors and lush imagery make its popularity well-deserved, if disproportionate", that "it's simply bizarre to assert that, as an illustrated literary narrative, it rivals in artistic merit, say, masterpieces like [[Chris Ware]]'s '[[Acme Novelty Library]]' or almost any part of the witty and brilliant work of [[Edward Gorey]]".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123569333628588197.html?mod=article-outset-box |title=From Comic Book to Literary Classic |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=February 27, 2009 |access-date=February 27, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503021554/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123569333628588197.html?mod=article-outset-box |archive-date=May 3, 2009|last1=Millet |first1=Lydia }}</ref>

''Watchmen'' was one of the two comic books, alongside ''[[The Dark Knight Returns|Batman: The Dark Knight Returns]]'', that inspired designer [[Vincent Connare]] when he created the [[Comic Sans]] font.<ref>Steel, Emily. "[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123992364819927171 Typeface Inspired by Comic Books Has Become a Font of Ill Will] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090420022303/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123992364819927171.html?mod=googlenews_wsj |date=April 20, 2009 }}". ''The Wall Street Journal''. April 17, 2009. Retrieved on February 8, 2010. {{cite news |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123992364819927171.html |title=Typeface Inspired by Comic Books Has Become a Font of Ill Will |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=April 18, 2009 |access-date=February 8, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430210327/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123992364819927171.html |archive-date=April 30, 2009|last1=Steel |first1=Emily }}</ref>

In 2009, Brain Scan Studios released the parody ''[[Watchmensch]]'', a comic in which writer [[Rich Johnston]] chronicled "the debate surrounding ''Watchmen'', the original contracts, the current legal suits over the Fox contract".<ref>Contino, Jennifer M. "[http://www.comicon.com/ubb/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=531993 Who Watches Rich Johnston's Watchmensch] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301165641/http://www.comicon.com/ubb/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=531993 |date=March 1, 2012 }}". Comicon.com. December 28, 2008. Retrieved on March 17, 2010.</ref>

Also in 2009, to coincide with the release of the ''Watchmen'' movie, [[IDW Publishing]] produced a parody one-shot comic titled ''Whatmen?!''<ref>[https://grizzlybomb.com/2012/09/29/weird-and-wacky-world-of-comics-whatmen/ Weird & Wacky World of Comic – Whatmen?!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913050130/https://grizzlybomb.com/2012/09/29/weird-and-wacky-world-of-comics-whatmen/ |date=September 13, 2021 }} at Grizzly Bomb</ref>

[[Grant Morrison]] wrote a scene in ''[[The Multiversity#Pax Americana|Pax Americana]]'' (2014) where a child shoots his father in the head with his own gun, killing him. This was meant to symbolize Morrison's opinion about how the limited series had a negative impact on the superhero genre: "it's Watchmen's shot to the head of the American superhero."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/watchmen-killed-american-superheroes-grant-morrison/ |title=Watchmen Killed American Superheroes, According to Grant Morrison |website=[[Screen Rant]] |date=November 26, 2022 |access-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621003949/https://screenrant.com/watchmen-killed-american-superheroes-grant-morrison/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2016, Hasslein Books published ''Watching Time: The Unauthorized Watchmen Chronology'', by author Rich Handley. The book provides a detailed history of the ''Watchmen'' franchise.<ref>Fasciani, Damian (February 25, 2017). [http://dccomicsnews.com/2017/02/25/review-watching-time-the-unauthorized-watchmen-chronology/ "Review: Watching Time The Unauthorized Watchmen Chronology"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815054552/http://dccomicsnews.com/2017/02/25/review-watching-time-the-unauthorized-watchmen-chronology/ |date=August 15, 2017 }}. DC Comics News.</ref><ref>Carreiro, Remy (November 24, 2016). [https://www.forevergeek.com/review-watching-time-unauthorized-watchmen-chronology/ "A Review of Watching Time: An Unauthorized Watchmen Chronology"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109181250/https://www.forevergeek.com/review-watching-time-unauthorized-watchmen-chronology/ |date=January 9, 2018 }}. Forever Geek.</ref>

In December 2017, DC Entertainment published ''Watchmen: Annotated'', a fully annotated black-and-white edition of the graphic novel, edited, with an introduction and notes by [[Leslie S. Klinger]] (who previously annotated Neil Gaiman's ''[[The Sandman (Vertigo)|The Sandman]]'' for DC). The edition contains extensive materials from Alan Moore's original scripts and was written with the full collaboration of Dave Gibbons.

Rorschach appears in [[Laura Beatty]]'s 2019 novel, ''[[Lost Property (Beatty novel)|Lost Property]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43453669-lost-property | title=Lost Property | access-date=April 3, 2022 | archive-date=April 3, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403054528/https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43453669-lost-property | url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Comics|Speculative fiction}}
* [[Charlton Comics]]:
** [[Question (comics)|The Question]]
** [[Peter Cannon, Thunderbolt|Thunderbolt]]
* [[List of award-winning graphic novels]]
* ''[[Irredeemable]]''
* [[Alan Moore bibliography]]
* [[Mr. A]]
* [[Pantheon (Lone Star Press)|''Pantheon'' (Lone Star Press)]]
* ''[[Squadron Supreme]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last=Bensam |first=Richard |date=October 2010 |title=Minutes to Midnight: Twelve Essays on Watchmen |publisher=Sequart Research & Literacy Organization |isbn=978-0-578-06076-7}}
* {{cite book |last1=Eury |first1=Michael |last2=Giordano |first2=Dick |date=2003|title=Dick Giordano: Changing Comics, One Day at a Time |publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]] |isbn=978-1-893905-27-6}}
* {{cite book |last=Groensteen |first=Thierry |date=2007 |title=The System of Comics  |publisher=[[University Press of Mississippi]] |isbn=978-1-60473-259-7}}
* {{cite book |last=Harvey |first=Robert C. |date=1996 |title=The Art of the Comic Book: An Aesthetic History |publisher=[[University Press of Mississippi]] |isbn=978-0-87805-758-0}}
* {{cite journal |last=Hughes |first=Jamie A. |date=August 2006 |title=Who Watches the ''Watchmen''?: Ideology and 'Real World' Superheroes |journal=Journal of Popular Culture |volume=39 |issue=4 |pages=546–557 |doi=10.1111/j.1540-5931.2006.00278.x}}
* {{cite book |last=Klock |first=Geoff |date=2002 |title=How to Read Superhero Comics and Why |publisher=[[Continuum International Publishing Group|Continuum]] |isbn=978-0-8264-1419-9}}
* {{cite book |last=Reynolds |first=Richard |date=1992 |title=''Super Heroes: A Modern Mythology'' |publisher=B. T. Batsford Ltd |isbn=978-0-7134-6560-0}}
* {{cite journal |last=Rosen |first=Elizabeth |date=Autumn 2006 |title='What's That You Smell Of?' Twenty Years of ''Watchmen'' Nostalgia |journal=Foundation: The International Review of Science Fiction |volume=35 |issue=98 |pages=95–98}}
* {{cite book |last=Sabin |first=Roger |date=1996 |title=Comics, Comix and Graphic Novels |publisher=[[Phaidon Press]] |isbn=978-0-7148-3993-6}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Salisbury|editor-first=Mark |date=2000 |title=Artists on Comics Art |publisher=[[Titan Books]] |isbn=978-1-84023-186-1}}
* {{cite book |last=Thomson |first=Iain |editor=Jeff McLaughlin |date=2005 |title=Comics as Philosophy |chapter= Deconstructing the Hero |publisher=University Press of Mississippi |isbn=978-1-57806-794-7}}
* {{cite journal |last=Wolf-Meyer |first=Matthew |date=Winter 2003 |title=The World Ozymandias Made: Utopias in the Superhero Comic, Subculture, and the Conservation of Difference |journal=Journal of Popular Culture |volume=36 |issue=3 |pages=497–506 |doi=10.1111/1540-5931.00019}}
* {{cite book |last=Wright |first=Bradford W. |date=2001 |title=Comic Book Nation: The Transformation of Youth Culture in America |publisher=Johns Hopkins |isbn=978-0-8018-7450-5}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|voy=no|wikt=no|b=no|q=Watchmen|s=no|commons=Category:Watchmen|n=no|v=no}}
* {{official website}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130515170615/https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/moulthro/hypertexts/wm/wm.htm Watching The Detectives: An Internet Companion for Readers of ''Watchmen'']

{{Watchmen|state=expanded}}
{{Alan Moore}}
{{DC Rebirth}}

[[Category:Watchmen]]
[[Category:1986 comics debuts]]
[[Category:1987 comics endings]]
[[Category:1987 graphic novels]]
[[Category:Alternate history comics]]
[[Category:Apocalyptic comics]]
[[Category:Comics by Alan Moore]]
[[Category:Comics by Dave Gibbons]]
[[Category:Comics controversies]]
[[Category:Comics set during the Cold War]]
[[Category:Comics set in New York City]]
[[Category:Comics set in the 1980s]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Richard Nixon]]
[[Category:DC Comics adapted into films]]
[[Category:DC Comics adapted into video games]]
[[Category:Fiction about discrimination]]
[[Category:Drama comics]]
[[Category:Dystopian comics]]
[[Category:Fiction set in 1985]]
[[Category:Hugo Award–winning works]]
[[Category:Nonlinear narrative novels]]
[[Category:Political satire books]]
[[Category:Satirical comics]]