Superpowers In The Watchmen

When it comes to superheroes, most of them have costumes, nickname, and certain powers that make them unique. The Google definitions of the term “superhero” is “fictional characters with superhuman powers.” In today’s world, there are superheroes who do not have superhuman abilities but use human materials to fight crime. Are those with natural abilities denied the title of a “superhero?”

The following paper will present a brief summary of Alan Moore’s Watchmen book as well as one of Declaration, whose authors are Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri. Also, it will critique and analyze Watchmen through Hardt and Negri’s point of view offered by Declaration. Finally, a subjective argument will be provided regarding a contemporary political dysfunctionality that connects with one of the ones that can be found in Watchmen.

However, despite Pitkethly’s ad Busiek’s effort to define a superhero the endeavor is impossible. Superheroes have been around for a long time through storytelling and myths. Throughout history, superheroes have changed overtime due to the different cultures and morals set at that time. Overtime superheroes have appeared in all different shape and sizes with and without powers. They have unique characteristics that make them who they are, these make their stories more extraordinary and help them become more relatable. Superheroes today have impacted people because of their stories and mission which means their are superheroes for everyone. Superheroes has changed drastically over time and cannot be so tied down to just one definition.

Watchmen is a revolutionary piece of literature. It is technically a comic book, some prefer to call it a graphic novel. There is a negative connotation that goes along with that. Graphic novels are frequently presumed too childish and fantastic to actually teach any insightful lessons or even make you ponder them at all. Watchmen is a graphic novel that transcends this undue criticism of comic books. It is, “One of the first instances ... of [a] new kind of comic book ... a first phase of development, the transition of the superhero from fantasy to literature." (Klock, pgs. 25-26)

Subsequently, while most superhero plots involve an element of fantasy, the characters in Moore’s graphic novel are, for the most part, embedded into pessimistic version of reality with only lifelike traits. Obviously, the one glaring exception in Watchmen is Doctor Manhattan, who is transformed into a being capable of a number of otherworldly abilities. However, the other five heroes in the story are regular humans who take the initiative to aid in the protection of society. This is unlike most superheroes in previous comics, who are often blessed with a divine power that allows them to conquer all evil. Additionally, referring to the society in which Moore’s heroes are immersed in, it is situated in a location known to its readers, with a certain twist. While Superman has his Metropolis and Batman has his Gotham City, the six costumed adventurers are based in New York City, or more accurately, a filthy parody of it. The universe in which Moore sets his story is the closest to reality, with a hyperbolic emphasis on the evil in society, in which superheroes have been set it. Hence, the problems presented to the superheroes are not something to be combatted with fantastical talents, but more nuanced with realistic obstacles without a clear solution. In Watchmen, the imminent threat of nuclear war is a state of affairs that would have been realistic for readers, particularly during the time period of the graphic novel’s release in 1987. This, coupled with the urban violence

According to Atticus Finch, heroism is “when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.” If a first grader was asked what a hero was, the majority of them would respond: Spiderman, Superman, Batman, or any other of the endless marvel superheroes. However, heroes can be anyone. They can be your mom, dad, brother, friend, a new acquaintance, or anyone and everyone. In movies and books heroes usually have special qualities otherwise known as superpowers. Superpowers such as super strength, invisibility, they can walk through walls, or even fly. But in the real world where superheroes and superpowers do not exist, qualities that a hero possesses are varied.

Watchmen by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons utilizes the literary tool of symbols. Symbols such as the smiley pin, clocks, and the haunting “who watches the watchmen” graffiti all come up several times in the graphic novel, thus alluding to a deeper meaning. Time is a major theme throughout the comic and plays a significant part in the structure and outcome of the story. This theme is successfully coupled to the theme of destiny by the use of the clock and other symbols that are present throughout the comic. Symbols such as clocks, the smiley pin, and the graffiti are utilized to efficiently connect the themes of time, justice and loss of innocence throughout Watchmen.

The heroes from the early age of comics are grand, god-like, and morally good, without much anxiety to keep them from achieving their tasks. However, this characterization evolved over the years, showing that such characters have many layers to them. The characterization of heroes, as given in Watchmen, has evolved to fit that of the problems of the age, and here, we see that there are more problems than just political or economic; the society itself is faulted, but perhaps due to the different experiences one has gone through, traumatic or trying. Watchmen provides an account of different heroes that use the mask, such as Laurie Juspeczyk, The Comedian, Rorschach, and Ozymandias, and delves into them to demonstrate the lack of agency, the addiction, the

The Watchmen is a action, mystery, and sci-fi film which is directed by Zack Snyder and tells the story of a dystopia 1985. Each character in the film has their own significance and through the flashbacks of certain characters we find out how the world, and the characters, ended up the way they did. When the group of retired superheroes return from their retirement, they are called back together once again to investigate the murder of the comedian who is one of their own. The death of the comedian leads to his investigation which also leads Rorschach on the journey of a monumental conspiracy. After analyzing the film the evidence of philosophy ideas and theories is very clear.

The portrayal of superheroes in films has changed in terms of their character, appearance, style and strength. Superheroes has been a popular theme in hollywood films since its inception. They are what peoples imagination can only think of. A perfect human being who saves the world .The first time superhero appeared on T.V was “The Adventures of Captain Marvel” in 1941. Superheroes was on the rise within popular comic books in 1930′s to the 1940’s as well in which they were considered the ‘Golden Age of Comic Books’ . Comic books became widespread and popular which translated into making films about them.

Living in a world of ever increasing complexity, Walter Kovacs simplifies morality into black and white, right or wrong. Alan Moore’s, “Watchmen” set in an alternate 1985 follows the story of “superheroes” from their beginning to their possible demise as a group. Beginning with the murder of the Comedian, Rorschach sets out to tell the other Watchmen of his conspiracy theory behind the murder, and that he believes they are all in danger. The novel ends in bliss and yet tragedy. Rorschach staying fixed to his values decides to rather die than live with the truth behind saving the world. In Alan Moore’s “Watchmen”, Rorschach shows himself to be the true hero in the story. Being morally fixed, feeling the social duty to do good, and ultimately having to die for what you believe in are the qualities that make up a hero. Exemplifying all these, Rorschach proves to be more of a hero than Ozymandias.

Finally, it is not a condition for being a hero is to have super powers. Being a hero is to strongly defend your beliefs and to feel responsible towards yourself and others. It is about being good with others no matter what happened, to smile when you are sad, to act happiness when you are depressed, to help others from your heart, and to spread love where ever you go. And who knows, maybe you are a hero in someone else’s

In modern society today, people think of superheroes and heroes as people who can do certain things, or have done specific tasks. As a superhero, people assume they will have a power, or an ability that makes them better than an average human, but in the Movie ‘The Avengers’ (Whedon), we see a couple of characters who are normal humans. Tony Stark (Iron Man), Black Widow and Hawkeye are all normal human beings who do not obtain abilities to make them different than any of us. Tony Stark specifically, is an extremely intelligent man who designs suits of armor to strengthen himself to fight powerful foes. A hero, is usually thought to be somebody who saves lives, or has done something miraculous, like going into a burning house to save a man.

To conclude, the overall similarities and differences of superheroes lay both questionize the set of standards expected of them to follow. Both texts have a similar plot line in regards to fighting immoral acts, and investigating a murder mystery. Despite similar in plot, the texts are also different in character context and the overall purpose of graphic novel. In the Watchmen, they preview the flaws within the group, showing that the heroes are more so flawed people, unlike Identity Crisis, where the group acknowledges their flaws, but covers them up with ease to save their reputation. The superhero code applies to both texts, while also being questioned of it’s accuracy.

A superhero’s main characteristic is to be able to a unique individual which will separate them from being categorized with the typical other “heroes”. Coogan states that a “superhero” is an individual that exemplifies the three main characteristics mission, power and identity. A unique superhero must have a mission that involves the main motive to save civilians without there being any personal gain from this experience. Coogan states that without this personal mission that this “superhero” would just be a ordinary person that would be an extremely helpful in the event of a dilemma. A unique superhero must posses these extraordinary but mystical powers that reflect their human identity or personality. These powers have been greatly exaggerated