I watched Watchmen.
Then I checked out the graphic novel and the soundtrack from the library. I read the book in less than a week and listened to the soundtrack on my way to work over and over again.
I also bought the director's cut version of the DVD at a used DVD store. Then I re-watched it to make sure it worked. Then I saw all of the special features on the second disk.
You could say I liked it.
Not surprisingly, I felt the urge to make fanart, so please enjoy these Watchmen-related works.
LOL-Rorschach
In the movie, Rorschach tells Dan something like "I got hungry waiting and helped myself to some beans." I heard "Im in ur kitchen eatin ur beans." So I had to make this.
Note: As far as copyright issues are concerned, I believe that my use of this screenshot complies with acceptable Fair Use practices. I did not use the copyrighted material extensively, and the way I altered it gives it new meaning and contributes to the creation of culture. If you are a legitimate representative of a Watchmen movie copyright holder and want me to take this down, let me know.
In the Movie
So true.
Why, Dr. M, Why???
You did not have to do that, Dr. M.
I have a theory that perhaps Rorschach lost hope. He may have left for Dan's ship more to prompt Dr. M to end his life than to spread the word about Ozzy's evil plan. Think about it:
Rorschach seriously didn't have the keys; he couldn't have told anyone anyway. In the graphic novel, Dan locks his ship (saying something along the lines of "Hm, I should probably lock this even though we're in Antarctica and it crashed."). The authors are always crazy thorough with their details. Why would they mention that if it wasn't important? Nobody cares whether or not Dan is a responsible owlship driver.
If Rorschach wanted to tell the world about Ozzy's crimes, the easiest way to do that would be to hide his intentions until he was back in civilization.
Consider the Black Freighter story. The story ends where the "hero" travels to a ship to remove himself from a world in which he no longer belongs. Not to get revenge or spread the word about how evil his enemy is, to cease to exist. Rorschach is the character most similar to the BF "hero;" they are both intense in their actions. They both become violent through their drive to do the right thing, and they both discover in the end that all was for nothing and that peace is the way of the world in which they must now live. Also, I saw a pirate flag as part of a promotional Rorschach artwork at the back of the copy of Watchmen that I read. With all of those connections, it makes sense if Rorschach's motivations parallel BF guy's.
Think about how Rorschach acted in Moloch's house when the police were trying to arrest him. Like a cornered animal. Like something a cornered animal would be afraid of. Now think about how Rorschach acted in front of Dr. Manhattan at the very end. Big difference.
So why would Rorschach lose hope? Why would he want to die? As I said before, his world changed into one that didn't have room for someone like him anymore. The "alien" attack was especially relevant to Rorschach because it took place in New York--his home. Also, his only friend, Dan, showed his true colors: someone who WOULD compromise. ESPECIALLY in the face of Armageddon.
Very sad to think about.
Fearful Symmetry Bookmark
Feel free to print it out and use it as a bookmark.
Doesn't "fearful" usually mean "afraid"?
The end is nigh?
Pinky Promise
Couldn't resist.
Okay, that's all the Watchmen fanart I have for now.
So who else liked the movie/graphic novel? Can anyone recommend any other good stories like Watchmen? Stories where magic and superheros can't take away the often cruddy realities of life, stories where characters will put themselves in harm's way to fight for a belief that's unpopular, etc.? A lot of stories I come across seem to be of the "and then they go here and do this, and then they go there and do that" variety. The good guys are GOOD and the bad guys are BAD. All too often, the moral is something we already knew anyway and/or doesn't necessarily apply to us all that much (it's better to be a normal person than to be famous, it's bad to oppress people/be mean/kick puppies/etc., and so on).
In short: Know any good stories that are realistic but also interesting and meaningful? Aside from Watchmen, I've already read 1984 and a lot of books by Patrick O'Brian. Any others?