Throughout class, we’ve lightly touched on how Watchmen is very controversial. From the beginning of this graphic novel, I already began to see many instances that make it controversial. For instance, Rorschach writes in his diary, “Beneath me, this awful city, it screams like an abattoir full of retarded children. New York” (14). I feel as though using the term “retarded” is extremely offensive to many people which is why society now looks down on those who use that term in an insulting manner. Similarly, we see the first instance where homosexuality is addressed. Rorschach jots down in his diary, “Meeting with Veidt left bad taste in mouth. He is pampered and decadent, betraying even his own shallow, liberal affectations. Possibly homosexual? Must remember to investigate further” (18). Watchmen is one of the first graphic novels that actually brings up a controversial topic instead of alluding to homosexuality. However, this thought generalizes what homosexuals are viewed as being “pampered and decadent.” In another instance, Laurie questions, “Rape is a moral lapse? You know he broke her ribs? You know he almost choked her?” Yet another controversial topic, rape, is brought up within Watchmen.
Something I really enjoyed was Laurie’s independence and disgust for the objectification of women. Laurie demonstrates her independence through paying for her dinner with Dan instead of having him pay. Also, she strongly hates being objectified which is clear when she says, “You remember that costume? With that stupid little short skirt and the neckline going down to my navel? God, that was so dreadful” (25). She knows what is expected of her as a woman which is seen through her description of her costume. It’s not like she wanted that specific costume, yet she wore it probably because society expected her to wear something of that sort to be viewed as sexual.
Hollis Mason’s “Under the Hood” Chapters 1 and 2, were very interesting background information on Hollis Mason’s upbringing. In chapter 1, he explains a personal encounter he experienced when he was younger to grab the audience’s attention to make them continue reading. In chapter 2, Mason describes how and why he became a police officer. Comics extremely influenced Mason’s perspective on morality which he describes, “For my part, all those brilliant and resourceful sleuths and heroes offered a glimpse of a perfect world where morality worked the way it was meant to” (5). His work as a police officer and love for adventure drove him to become a superhero himself. Mason states, “…what it comes down to for me is that I dressed up like an owl and fought crime because it was fun and because it needed doing and because I goddam felt like it” (5). He found his calling and went for it which I really admire. He doesn’t need any explanation yet he explains how it was important to him that justice be served and combining his knowledge of detective work and love for comics, he was able to become a superhero. I found it very interesting that the Hooded Justice is what started it all for him. After hearing stories and sightings about the Hooded Justice, Mason became more invested in becoming a superhero alongside of the Hooded Justice
Chapter II “Absent Friends”
Sally Jupiter, Laurie’s mother, seems to be a very influential older lady through Watchmen. She emphasizes the importance of leaving things in the past. For instance she says to Laurie, “Listen, gettin’ old, you get a different perspective. The big stuff looks smaller somehow. In the end, you just wash your hands of it and shut it away…Life goes on, honey. Life goes on” (2). Although she’s getting older, Sally demonstrates with age comes wisdom. She’s learned to let go of the past and move on, no matter what happened in the past. Although Eddie Blake, the Comedian, attempted to rape her when they were part of the Minutemen, she decided to move on from the incident despite Laurie’s discontent about the situation.
Something I really like about Watchmen is the relatable factor. Sally says, “It’s a Tijuana bible…a little eight-page porno comic they did in the ‘30s and ‘40s…They did ‘em about newspaper funnies characters like Blondie, even real people like Mae West. This one’s about me” (4). We discussed erotic comics in our class and it’s unique to see a comic actually discussing other types of comics. Despite Sally feeling flattered someone would make a porno comic about her, Laurie says, “I just, jeez, I just don’t know how you can stand being degraded like this. I mean, don’t you care how people see you?” (8). Again she demonstrates her hatred for women being objectified as her mother is being objectified in the porno comic. She emphasizes how women have more to offer than their body or appearance which makes her an empowering female role model.
In Hollis Mason’s “Under the Hood” Chapters 3 and 4, Mason gives a brief background on the members of the Minutemen and how the Minutemen were created. I really liked these excerpts, because I haven’t read Watchmen so I’m unfamiliar with the characters. By reading these excerpts, I was able to understand how each superhero got their start and what superheroes were part of the Minutemen. Mason reveals that the creation of the Minutemen started with Captain Metropolis reaching out to Sally Jupiter and in doing so, her agent, Laurence Schexnayder, controlled their publicity and even put an ad out for mystery men to come forward. Mason also illustrates how the Comedian was a “disgrace” which Rorschach alludes to in the first chapter of Watchmen. It’s not until the second chapter that the reader understands why the Comedian is seen this way.
Chapter III “The Judge of All the Earth”
Something I really like about the Watchmen is how relatable some of the concepts and sayings are. Many things that are said can be related to any situation. For instance when Laurie says, “Some things, once they’re busted, they can’t ever be fixed…” (7). Not only can this be said for relationships, but also friendships, also cars if you’re thinking about material things. Sometimes the damage that has been done is unable to be repaired and as life moves on, so do you. Not everything can be fixed is a life concept that can be applied in any context. Another concept is Dr. Manhattan’s TV interview when the host is told to avoid discussing Afghanistan because it’s too controversial. I like how Afghanistan is mentioned instead of World War I or II because it demonstrates the time progression of the novel compared to previous graphic novels we’ve read.
In Hollis Mason’s “Under the Hood” chapter 5, Mason reveals how his retirement came to be. Without masked criminals or crimes being committed, there wasn’t a huge need for masked superheroes anymore. Mason decided to retire and get back to doing what made him the happiest, which is fixing cars. Mason also reveals how a fan wrote to him asking for permission to use Nite Owl and fight crime which Mason allows.