darkdetective27

Is it bright where you are?

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My Ranking of the Crime Busters (Watchmen "team")

Watchmen is my absolute favorite graphic novel and in my opinion is the greatest. It features some of my favorite characters in comics that I find extremely layer and fascinating. In many ways these characters are the worst kind of superheroes in the way Moore deconstructs these archtypes, but I cant help root for them and be endlessly fascinated by them. Though I love them all, I dont love them equally. I have decided to rank these characters from favorite to "least" favorite. In some regards this was kind of hard deciding who should go where.

List items

  • Though many people find Rorschach to be the most identifiable and interesting character, to me Laurie is that character. I really identify with how she was forced by her mother into a career path she didnt want. Her struggle with being in situations she didnt want or didnt know what to do were interesting as was her dynamic with her mother. Unlike the other superheroes who were motivated by complex philosophies, she acted more out of emotion and what she felt was right which I feel added a bit more humanity to her. She is strong yet emotionally vulnerable which I like. My final reason why she is my favorite is a bit more superficial as I just like her costume the most.

  • Rorschach is probably both one of the strangest and most interesting characters in the book. He is absolutely absorbed into his costume identity. So much so that he only sees his mask as his true face. This compulsion is both disturbing and fascinating to see. He is extremely violent, but he is this way as he sees the world around as a violent and horrible place deserving this brutal sense of justice. In his eyes there is only good and evil, and I cant help but like his convictions even though I dont agree with his stance. He is the most psychologically fascinating of the characters and I love trying to figure out what makes him tick and how he would have turned out if his life had been better. Somehow he even makes homophobia seem not so bad of a trait which Im not even sure how thats physically possible yet he does this. More than all though I love his trademark speech patterns and catchphrase. He is probably the coolest of them all.

  • Much like Laurie, the aspect of Dan that appeals to me is his humanity. He was once an optimistic and wide eyed man with a sense of adventure, but after his retirement he lost that spark. He became sad and scared and a shell of the man he was. With the threat of Armegedon near he felt powerless and impotent. Feeling powerless is something I can really relate to. I loved how once he put back on his costume and began adventuring again he gained back his confidence and swagger. I love this and his respect for the past and legacies.

  • Probably the thing I love most about Dr Manhattan is the sense of gravitas and awe he has. He is godly in his powers and presence. His detachment from humanity is interesting to see and makes you wonder where he stands in all of it. I especially like how his clothing is used to show his slow detatchment from humanity as he slowly goes from fully clothed to nude. Another key thing I like about him is how easy it is to sympathize with him. Its sad to see how drastically the accident affected his life. Its easy to get swept up in the awe of him and forget that at one point this was a normal man who was in love and lost all of that and is constantly reminded of this.

  • It was a really tough call between Dr Manhattan and Ozymandias on who I liked more. Ultimately I went with Osterman as I felt Ozymandias didnt quite get as much pannel time to get as attatched to. Having said that I still love the character and how he is both the hero and villain of the story. In his eyes he is like Alexander the Great and Ramesses II on a crusade to help save humanity. I love how he is a man who dedicated himself entirely to this cause and is willing to do whatever it takes. Another thing I love about him is his charismatic and sophisticated personality and demenor. Much like Osterman he has this sense of gravitas to him that I cant help but admire.

  • Initially I absolutely hated The Comedian. Not only did he treat everyone terribly and seemed to abuse his power, but he also tried to rape Sally and shot a pregnant woman. Though I dont excuse his behavior, upon reading the book more I sort of began to piece together his character more. He has seen some of the worst parts of humanity causing to have a more nihlistic and cynical view towards life and death. He also is a representation of the corrupt in power yet provides the most insight of all the characters. He is extremely unlikable yet compelling.