limited series
created by writer Alan Moore
, artist Dave Gibbons
, and colourist John Higgins
. The series was published by DC Comics
during 1986 and 1987, and has been subsequently reprinted in collected form. Watchmen originated from a story proposal Moore submitted to DC featuring superhero
characters that the company had acquired from Charlton Comics
. As Moore's proposed story would have left many of the characters unusable for future stories, managing editor Dick Giordano
convinced the writer to create original characters instead.
Moore used the story as a means to reflect contemporary anxieties and to critique the superhero concept.
[after Nite Owl asks what he would have done if his hired assassin had shot him first] I suppose I'd have had to catch the bullet, wouldn't I? [smirks]
[Tearfully]I did it...I DID IT!
Bubastis...Forgive me.
An intractable problem can only be resolved by stepping beyond conventional solutions.
So impotent...
(As he and Rorschach prepare for their confrontation with the mastermind villain.) Y'know, this must be how ordinary people feel. This must be how ordinary people feel around us.
(Standing naked except for his Nite Owl goggles) Hell, I guess I must look pretty Devo|Devo, right?
(Reacting to an insult from Rorschach) Who the hell do you think you are? You live off people while insulting them, nobody complains because they think you're a goddamned lunatic... Do you know how hard it is being your friend?
(Talking about crimefighting) Just a schoolkid's fantasy that got out of hand.
Once you realize what a joke everything is, being the Comedian is the only thing that makes sense.