Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What can I say about Watchmen that hasn’t been said already? You don’t need me to tell you it’s good. Its reputation as a well-crafted masterpiece and an exemplary demonstration of the comic book medium/superhero genre precedes it. The characters are complex and compelling, the story has depth and pathos, the artwork has a good amount of detail and strikes a healthy balance between realism and stylisation. Each chapter is followed by an extract from an in-universe autobiography, magazine article, or other such document. Not only does that introduce some lore, it’s also a welcome break in format which prevents the regular panels becoming monotonous.
I don’t want to say too much about the story, partly for the sake of avoiding spoilers but also because I want to avoid underselling it. It’s hard-hitting and intricate. I knew it’d be good but even with my expectations set high it blew me away.
A must-read. If you’ve already read it, read it again.
Graphic: Animal death, Cancer, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War
Moderate: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gore, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Stalking, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Suicide, Excrement, Vomit, Car accident, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Outing, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, Alcohol
