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Watchmen facts for kids

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For the law enforcement job, see Watchman.
Watchmen logo
Watchmen logo

Watchmen is a Hugo Award-winning graphic novel. It was written by Alan Moore, illustrated by Dave Gibbons, and published by DC Comics from 1986–1987. In 2005, Time magazine listed Watchmen as one "the 100 best English-language novels from 1923 to the present".

Story

Watchmen is set in an alternate history during the 1980s. The United States is about to enter a nuclear war with the Soviet Union. Earlier, superheroes helped the United States win the Vietnam War. Now, superheroes work for the government (Doctor Manhattan, The Comedian), are retired (Nite Owl, Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias, Silk Spectre), or work illegally (Rorschach).

After The Comedian is murdered, the other superheroes work together to figure out the killer's identity. In the beginning, Rorschach believes other superheroes are in danger and warns them. Soon after, Doctor Manhattan leaves Earth for Mars, creating more turmoil. Nite Owl starts to believe Rorschach. Together they discover Adrian Veidt has murdered The Comedian and framed Doctor Manhattan to protect his plan. Veidt says he wants to fake an alien invasion to avoid an atomic war.

By this time, Veidt's plan has already occurred. Many New York City residents have been killed. Doctor Manhattan kills Rorschach, the only superhero who wanted to reveal Veidt's secret. All living superheroes have now retired. The world is unified.

Images for kids

  • Watchmencharacters

    The main characters of Watchmen (from left to right): Ozymandias, the second Silk Spectre, Doctor Manhattan, The Comedian (kneeling), the second Nite Owl, and Rorschach

  • Watchmen Fearful Symmetry

    The middle two pages of Watchmen #5, titled "Fearful Symmetry". The whole of the issue's layout was intended to be symmetrical, culminating in this center spread, where the pages reflect one another. Art by Dave Gibbons

  • Galle crater

    The Galle crater from the planet Mars appears in Watchmen as an example of the series' recurring smiley motif

  • Who Watches the Watchmen

    Graffiti similar to that which appears in Watchmen. Hemel Hempstead, May 2008

  • Alan Moore

    Alan Moore, co-creator of Watchmen, severed his ties with DC Comics over contractual issues related to the work.

  • Archie (Nite Owl ship) 2

    Interior set of Nite Owl's vehicle "Archie" from the film version of Watchmen, displayed at Comic-Con 2008

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Watchmen para niños

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