Robot Panic Book Club: Watchmen, Week 1
It’s been one week, and a good point for the first ever Robot Panic Book Club to hold it’s first meeting. So in the comment section, tell us your thoughts and discuss the first two chapters. What were some interesting themes you reacted to? What are your first impressions of the characters? What about the art direction? Are you enjoying it so far? Has it yet to grab your interest? Tell us! And don’t be afraid of dissent, everyone’s opinion is more than welcome, whether you love it or hate it.
However, please keep the discussion limited to the first two chapters only at this point. If you’ve read ahead or read it before, please keep in mind that some people haven’t read as far as you, so keep the spoilers to a minimum.
Following is a plot summary for the first two chapters:
Chapter One
October 12 , 1985. Two police detectives investigate the murder of Edward Blake who was forced out of his apartment window by an unknown assailant.
Rorschach, a former costumed hero turned vigilante, investigates the crime scene after the police leave and discovers that Edward Blake was the secret identity of a government sponsored “mask” named The Comedian.
Dan Drieberg, aka The Nite-Owl, returns from a social call with long retired costumed hero Hollis Mason, the original Nite-Owl, to find Rorschach has broken into his apartment.
Rorschach informs Dreiberg that The Comedian was murdered and that he suspects it’s part of a bigger plot to kill off other former heroes. Dreiberg tells Rorschach that he’s just being paranoid.
After unsuccessfully interrogating some locals for leads on the crime, Rorschach pays a visit to former costumed heroes billionaire Adrian “Ozymandias” Veidt, Jon “Dr. Manhattan” Osterman, and Laurie “The Silk Spectre” Juspeczyk, to warn them about the “mask” killer as well. None of them take him seriously, either.
As Rorschach wanders the streets of New York pondering the murder, Dan and Laurie meet for a late night dinner and reminisce about the good old days as costumed heroes.
Closing Quotation: “At midnight, all the agents and superhuman crew go out and round up everyone who knows more than they do.” – Desolation Row by Bob Dylan.
Chapter Two
Instead of attending Edward Blake’s funeral, Laurie visits her mother, Sally Jupiter, the first Silk Spectre, at her retirement home in California. Sally remembers the night The Comedian attempted to rape her after the first photo shoot of “The Minutemen,” the first costumed hero organization. As The Comedian starts to sexually assault Sally, fellow hero Hooded Justice interrupts and attacks The Comedian.
Back at the funeral, Adrian Veidt, Dan Dreiberg and Jon Osterman pay their respects. Veidt recalls the failed proposal of organizing “The Crimebusters,” a second costumed heroes league. The Comedian speaks out to say that such an organization would be pointless since in less than thirty years, nuclear war would destroy the world.
Dr. Manhattan remembers an encounter on the last day of the Vietnam War. The Comedian is approached by a Vietnamese woman who is carrying his child. They argue, and the woman attacks The Comedian with a broken bottle, leaving a large scar on the right side of his face. The Comedian guns her down, and Dr. Manhattan, who witnesses the entire conflict doesn’t intervene.
Dan Dreiberg thinks about his time spent with The Comedian during riots caused by a protest, where The Comedian seems to enjoy repelling the angry mob.
October 16, 1985. When Rorschach sees former costumed villain Moloch leaving Blake’s funeral, he questions him about The Comedian’s death. Moloch describes The Comedian visiting him while drunk late one night, nearly a week before his death. He appears to be worried, fearful and saddened, mentioning vague activities taking place on an island full of scientists, artists and writers. He also accuses Moloch of being “part of it” because he saw Moloch’s name on a “list.” After hearing this, Rorschach visits the grave of Edward Blake and pays his last respects.
Closing Quotation: “And I’m up while the dawn is breaking, even though my heart is aching. I should be drinking a toast to absent friends instead of these comedians.” – The Comedians by Elvis Costello
Table of contents for Robot Panic Book Club: Watchmen
Related Posts
Tags: alan moore, Book Club, Watchmen
January 27th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
I had one thought after reading this: is it just me or did everyone but Rorschach know that Edward Blake was The Comedian? After all, everyone turns out for his funeral, so it seemed that either they all knew or that they didn’t care about blowing his cover after he died. That was one point that confused me.
January 27th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
It was always my opinion that his secret crime fighting identity came out after his death, and after that became public the rest of the minutemen came to his funeral. Just as the identity of Deep throat was revealed as William Mark Felt after his death. He’s dead and he has no immediate family except for…***DOH almost gave away a spoiler*** so there is really no cover to be blown here.
I did find it interesting that Dr. Manhatten got dressed up for the funeral. I believe that was out of respect for Blake as Manhatten clearly has lots touch with his own humanity and role therin.
I found it intesteting that we see the Comedian try to rape Sally Jupiter. It was then that I realized I was not reading your “normal” comic book. I was sucked in from then on appreciating these characters not for their powers and heroic deeds, but for the deep and complex beings (flaws and all) that they are.
January 27th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Spoiler text has been added. Those of you wishing to talk of things that are spoiler-tastic, you can now do so. Check out the PanicBot5000 post for specifics.
January 27th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Funny, I had thought that Rorschach didn’t go to the funeral with everyone else because he was lost in his own thoughts about who did the killing and about a conspiracy. Thinking about it the other way, I’d say Ryker has it correct.
Speaking about art direction, I thought the simple start of Watchmen with an extreme closeup of a yellow smiley-face was great. At first it just looks like an oval with a sort-of red splatter on it – is that blood or someone’s strawberry jelly that spilled from their breakfast toast as they took a bite?
January 27th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
I love the opening monologue.
It totally defines the rest of the book:
“The streets are extended gutters and the gutters are full of blood and when the drains finally scab over , all the vermin will drown. The accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout “Save Us!”…… and I’ll look down and whisper “No.”
Oh and the little story in between Chapter 1 and 2 is really good, too.
January 27th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Ahh but Damo, Rorschach WAS at the funeral! He is the man carrying the “The End is Nigh” sign. He also appeared in issue 1 carrying that sign. It’s his day job, proclaiming the end of the world.
January 27th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
The book’s opening is really what got me. Like Damo said, it started off with that extreme closeup on the button and slowly pulled all the way up the building to the window, all the while Rorcschach’s monologue accompanying it. It’s amazing how much of his character is encapsulated in that monologue. Also, on my second read-through I’m noticing a lot of motifs that I hadn’t noticed before. There are, of course the hints about Rorchach’s identity, but there are some smaller things too. The Veidt Industries logo is everywhere, including the very first page.
Also, I’m currently reading through Marvel’s Civil War run, and I’m seeing a lot of parallels between the state of costumed heroes and their history in the Watchmen universe and the registration act in Civil War. It’s really interesting to read the two side-by-side.
January 27th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Ryker brings up a very good, if not EXTREMELY spoileriffic point. Nice catch, man. I didn’t even put two and two together, even though I’ve read through it before.
January 27th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Ryker, you blew my mind!! When I get home from work I’m going to open it up and really look. That guy shows up in another place too, but I can’t remember where.
January 27th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
That guy is everywhere and hints all over the place that he IS Rorschach until issue 5 when Rorschach is finally captured. If You THINK about it, it’s a perfect tie in to his world view that humanity has been reduced to scum. I have more comments on that issue but will WAIT until we get there together.
January 27th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
The use of “camera” in this book is what really struck me. The way all the panels are laid out and the angles used make it feel more cinematic than most books. You don’t get any of those stereotypical superhero poses, etc. What you get is a story of people and the art reflects that.
It also means it’s custom built for the big screen. Probably one of the many reasons why fans have been clamoring for this movie since the beginning.
January 28th, 2009 at 2:28 am
Christ, I had never noticed about Rorshach at the funeral before – but Ryker is right. Right after the funeral, you can see Rorschach following Moloch home before he attacks him. Stupid, unobservant me.
Also, the bits with the Comedian in Vietnam were what really made me realise I wasn’t reading a normal comic.
January 28th, 2009 at 8:24 am
I was really struck by Dr. Manhattan’s actions in Vietnam, and how he did nothing but watch the Comedian attack the woman. It made me realize his interests are somewhat complex, though I won’t go much into it now.
January 28th, 2009 at 9:13 am
I’m of the opinion that Dr. Manhattan is what you might call the true “villain” in the book. Not intentionally, but his actions really do spin everything into the downward spiral. From the choices that Veidt makes due to Manhattan’s appearance to the final moment when Manhattan knows what’s going to happen to the world and does nothing.
They really set it up in these first two chapters.
January 28th, 2009 at 10:11 am
That’s a good observation Hilden, and we will discuss more of Dr. Manhatten in the next two issues. The guys at Comic Geek Speak pointed out that the entire series is broken into two issues centering around one character. Issues 1 & 2 center around the Comedian while 3 & 4 focus on DR. Manhatten. One must remember two very important things about Dr. Manhatten.
1. Before the accident, he fails to stand up for what he really wants to do, be a watchmaker. Instead he does what his father tells him to do and become a nuclear scientist. This belief in pre-destination and an inability to do act is simply part of WHO HE IS.
2. Dr. Manhatten exists in all phases of time. This is explained in better in issue 4. HE KNOWS what will happen because he has seen it happen, he has been there. He is omnipotent and chooses NOT to do anything because he does not want to interfere with the shape of things to come. I think his decision to intervene in the Vietnam war showed him this and as he slowly loses his humanity, he chooses to let things happen.
Knowing this sets up some VERY Interesting discussions on other omnipotent beings and their influence in our lives. But I shall wait on that.
Hilden, great point on the panel design and how cinematic it is. It only gets better and as someone who has produced and directed several videos in town I can fully appreciate GOOD cinematography. And I for one CAN’T WAIT to see how well they reproduce this work of art on screen.
January 28th, 2009 at 10:41 am
I always felt that Dr. Manhattan eventually switched roles with Rorschach.
At first, Rorschach was basically saying he didn’t want to help anyone because they got what they deserved, but at the end, he didn’t want to have anyone hurt and gave his life to try to save them. Complete 180 for him. Meanwhile, at the beginning Dr. Manhattan was seen fighting for America in Vietnam and working to better improve the world, but nearer the end and later in his life, he has become more cynical and detached from the world, and eventually didn’t care what happened to anyone, because he basically felt like humans got what they deserved.
But, at a later date, this discussion will be more open to the public, since everyone should be caught up by then.
January 28th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
@Tyler – I really disagree with your view on Rorschach but we can discuss that in later issues
These first two issues were great and I agree that the opening monologue really sets the tome for the entire story. One of the things that grabs me about this whole series is that the line between hero and villain is very blurry when you examine most characters. I tend to think of this as a novel written in comic form as opposed to a great comic.
Is everyone reading through the absolute edition so they have all of the extra clippings and text sections between chapters?
January 28th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
What are the differences between the “Absolute” edition and the regular? Is it significant? Is so, I’ll probably pick it up. I’ve become sort of obsessed with this book over the last several months.
Oh, and let me reiterate that the “motion comic” that’s on iTunes is incredible. I’m up through Chapter 5 now and it’s incredibly well done. $2/episode or $20 for the whole thing. Highly recommended if you’re a fan.
January 28th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
@Q I agree with your sentiment 100% . Tyler after issue 4 and then again in issue 6, you get a much broader view of these characters and I think our discussions will be very enlightening.
You know for us Twin City folks, would it be possible to make a Robot Panic night out and all see the show somewhere? (Has to be a Monster or Ultra Screen though)
January 28th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
@Ryker-I think that’s a great idea. Where’s the closest Ultra Screen to all of us? Southdale?
January 28th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Will it be at the Imax, do you think? If so, that’d be sweet.
January 28th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Yep, it is! March 6th in the IMAX at the zoo. BAD ASS!
January 28th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Where’s the website? Is it possible to order tickets already?
EDIT: Found it…
http://www.imax.com/minnesota/
Not on sale yet, probably not until the week before. We need to plan this. Great idea!
January 28th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Lakeville has a Monster Screen, the other one I know is out by me in Oakdale.
Imax is cool, but since it’s not shot in Imax there will the perverbial screen crop going on. (Dark Knight at Imax…and all its fullscreen goodness…THAT was truly BAD ASS)
January 28th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
I don’t know the difference between Monster/Ultra/Super or whatever, but the new theater in Burnsville has two “Super Screens”. I saw The Dark Knight there and the screen was ridiculously huge. Not quite Imax, but close.
January 28th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
The Monster/Ultra/Super Screens are basically, twice the size of your average Large movie screen. Typically they deck these theaters out with the BEST in sound technology, making it an avid movie goers wet dream. Typically there is not much difference between them but the name.
For me, it reminds me of my youth. When I was a kid there was the old Southtown theater, it had ONE HUGE screen. It’s where I saw the original Superman movie. It was sold out and we had to wait in line (YESSSSSSSSS). They later split that theater into two halves to gain more ticket sales and thus RUINING it forever. Now it’s a Khols…how sad.
January 28th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
well, I know that the Absolute Editions are usually around $100. I think the colors are redone, its in a hardbound book and have some behind the scenes making of stuff.
I wish I could see Watchmen in IMAX.
Cleveland has an IMAX theater, but it didn’t show Dark Knight nor will it be showing Watchmen.
Way to go, Cleveland.
January 29th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Alas, no IMAX for me either. The closest one is 2 and a half hours away at the Boston Aquarium. While I would drive a ways to see Watchmen in IMAX, that’s a bit too far. Last time I was there though I saw a 3D show about big sea creatures and it was incredible
January 29th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Back to the book, does anybody enjoy reading the “in between” segments as much as I do?
January 29th, 2009 at 11:17 am
The book excerps RULE! I find that I find more a deeper and more rich story because of them.
January 29th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Yeah, I was really hip on them for the first few issues, but then I sort of blew threw them at the end. On my latest read through, I’m taking more time on them and appreciating what they bring to the novel a lot more.
January 29th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Also, anyone interested in collectible nerdery, the new Watchmen action figures came out today, or at least my local comic shop just got them in.
Here is Rorschach:
http://www.amazon.com/Watchmen-Movie-Rorschach-Action-Figure/dp/B001AZV828/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1233279334&sr=8-1
I’m sure whoever is interested can use their powers of internet navigation to look at the others in the series. They look pretty detailed. Not sure how many people will actually pick up a Classic Silk Spectre, but I’m sure there are completists out there who would like an old lady action figure.
January 29th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
I saw those when I made my weekly run. Pretty cool looking, but action figures are a little too far down the rabbit hole for me.
January 29th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
I hate to say it, but I was like Hilden in that I sort of stopped reading the intermediate sections–or stopped reading them as thoroughly–as time wore on. The first few are really interesting, but toward the end I wasn’t into them as much.
January 30th, 2009 at 11:44 am
@TylerDurden those action figures woulda been cooler if they published them under Ozymandious’ name since he was looking into his own action figure set before the attempt on his life
January 30th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Oh shit! That would have been an awesome idea!
January 30th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Ha, they should have a classic Ozymandias figure. Like the one in the book.
February 2nd, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Just read that Warner Brothers will be releasing a DVD with “Tales of the Black Freighter,” and “Under the Hood” on March 24th. Should be good watching, just wish it came out BEFORE the theatrical release.
http://superherohype.com/nextraimages/blackfreighter1.jpg