Watchmen facts for kids

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Watchmen is a famous graphic novel that won a Hugo Award. It was written by Alan Moore and drawn by Dave Gibbons. DC Comics first published it between 1986 and 1987. In 2005, Time magazine called Watchmen one of the 100 best English-language novels from 1923 to today.

What is Watchmen About?

Watchmen takes place in an alternate 1980s. In this world, the United States is very close to a nuclear war with the Soviet Union. Before this, superheroes helped the U.S. win the Vietnam War. Now, some superheroes work for the government, like Doctor Manhattan and The Comedian. Others have retired, such as Nite Owl, Adrian Veidt (also known as Ozymandias), and Silk Spectre. One hero, Rorschach, still works, but he does so illegally.

The Mystery Begins

The story starts when The Comedian is murdered. The other superheroes decide to work together to find out who killed him. At first, Rorschach thinks that other superheroes might be in danger too, and he warns them. Soon after, Doctor Manhattan leaves Earth and goes to Mars. This causes even more trouble and worry.

Finding the Truth

Nite Owl starts to believe Rorschach's warnings. Together, they discover that Adrian Veidt, who was once Ozymandias, is the one who murdered The Comedian. Veidt also made it look like Doctor Manhattan was responsible. He did all of this to protect his secret plan. Veidt explains that he wants to fake an alien invasion. He believes this will stop the atomic war between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

The Plan's Outcome

By the time the other heroes learn about Veidt's plan, it has already happened. Many people in New York City have been killed because of it. Doctor Manhattan stops Rorschach, who was the only superhero who wanted to tell the world about Veidt's secret. After these events, all the living superheroes retire. The world becomes unified, hoping to avoid war.

Images for kids

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  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

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  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

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

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

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  Alan Moore, co-creator of Watchmen, ended his connection with DC Comics over problems with his contract for the work.

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

See also

In Spanish: Watchmen para niños