Alan Moore`s Watchmen may be considered to be one of the most controversial but capturing comic-book series ever made. Quotes from this comic book along with some characters have merged with pop culture forever, thus proving its uniqueness and gripping beauty. Moreover, this exceptional comic book presents reader with extraordinary portrayal of superheroes. Moore completely distorts all superhero clichés instead depicting real people with all their flaws and anxieties and without outstanding superpowers, the exception makes only Dr. Manhattan. Moreover, by manipulating and speculating with turning points in history of the US, like the Vietnam War or the Cold War, Moore creates fictional background for his characters in order to illuminate the good, the bad and the ugly of superhero conception. While reading Watchmen one will not find a clear division between good and evil as well as between vigilantism and a true justice. In this comic book one may see that all confines between black and white are blurred, thus representing a mixture of contradictions and true picture of the world with all its flaws and imperfections that cannot be easily fixed by putting criminals into jails. Also, moral codes of all characters are far from superhero patterns that celebrate good along with promoting justice and peace. In order to see in what way Moore`s depiction of superheroes differs from canonical one should analyze its main hero Rorschach`s moral code. Moreover, to understand Rorschach`s perception of justice more deeply one should compare him with another character from Watchmen, Ozymandias, thus illuminating complexity of concept of justice.
One of the most complex and Daedalian characters in this comic book is Walter Kovacs who is better known under his alter ago name Rorschach “An independent vigilante with no sense of due process, Rorschach inspires terror among those in bars and alleys [] In many ways he is the most disturbing of the heroes.” (Schofer) Reader is introduced to Rorschach from the very first page of this comic book. Thus, using explicit descriptions and rigorous metaphors this character gives a suggestion of an experienced and dangerous detective from a noir story who fights criminals thus adding more good into this world. “But at some point, Rorschach changed, morphing into an antihero who bypassed the legal system altogether and delivered a much harsher form of justice.” (Forbis) As the story unfolds one may see that Rorschach cannot be clearly defined as good or bad hero due to his controversial moral code. Rorschach perceives world in black and white colors excluding gray. Significantly is that his ink-blotted mask subtly and fully conveys his moral code. While feeling anger or other strong emotion dots on his mask move never mixing into gray which highlights his strict division of white and black. (Forbis)
Furthermore, he envisions world and justice from deontological perspective which discards the aftermath and morality that affects decision-making. (Tan) The consequences are belittled while the doing of the right thing is the only thing that matters. (Tan) Rorschach`s system of punishment can be described as ‘one will get what one deserves’ or as he puts it “There is good and there is evil, and evil must be punished.” (Moore and Gibbons) Moreover, he applies punishments according to severity of a crime which indicates his strict moral code that demands punishing all criminals and lawbreakers. For instance, he pursued Moloch for possessing illegal drugs and a gun which proves his uncompromised treatment of all who break the law. Moreover, his moral code is limited by its nature and praises act of good regardless of consequences. Evaluation of situation and compromise are impossible because as he states “I will not compromise. Not even in the face of Armageddon.” Furthermore, “Having absolute moral principles only works if [one] deals with entirely static situations that do not vary” which proves his tunnel vision of the world as well as inability to change. (Tan) He does not negotiate with criminals or try to understand their actions. During the whole comic book one does not see his evolvement as a personality which can be explained only by his mental condition that affects his morality. Moreover, he does not forgive as it was clearly seen in scene when he finds out that his mother was killed. He only replied “Good” which highlights his uncompromised vigilante-driven nature and suggests that he was waiting for her to be punished. Taking into consideration his terrible physical and mental abuse in childhood and further witnessing world`s ferocity one may see some explanations of his brutality and uncompromised moral compass that points at black or white.
Furthermore, character of Rorschach created a fierce debate dividing people into two camps: on those, like columnist Brian Doherty, who believes that “Rorschach operates on a pure code of objective right and wrong, a code that he will not compromise for anyone, making him a romantic individualist hero” and those who perceive this character as “a pained psychopath looking for an end.” (Surman) As can be seen Rorschach reflects all the diversity and controversy of the concept of justice. Moreover, in one of his interviews Moore revealed his way of creating Rorschach thus he pointed out that:
“[Gibbons and I] thought about superhero types like Batman, so I thought, ‘What would he be like in the real world.’ And he’d be very much like Rorschach—if you’re a revenge-driven vigilante, you’re not quite right in the head [] So, I thought, ‘Alright, if there was a Batman in the real world, he probably would be a bit mental.’” (Surman)
Moreover, other comic book characters point out Rorschach`s instability and problems with mental health as well. Furthermore, he abandoned his personality of Walter Kovacs and uses it only as a disguise while his alter-ego, Rorschach, has grown and replaced Walter completely. It is clearly seen in his conversation with psychiatrist. (Moore and Gibbons) Also, in this scene one understands not only reasons for Rorschach`s sociopathic condition but also sees in which way this condition has affected his moral compass. Thus, his inability to sympathize and absence of empathy promote his black and white vision along with justifying brutality and barbarity. Moreover, this psychological deviation only brings him closer to murderers and criminals that he fights. Also, Rorschach`s perception of morality and his actions can be compared to God complex. It is clearly seen in his talk with psychiatrist when he recalls case with a kidnapped and murdered little girl thus he states “This rudderless world is not shaped by vague metaphysical forces. It is not God who kills the children. Not fate that butchers them or destiny that feeds them to the dogs. It's us” which proves that he denies idea that there might be a higher power that guides people into a specific direction thus people are to decide how to react to crime and evil. (Moore and Gibbons)
Significantly is that there is more vivid example of complex of God in Watchmen. Gifted and beautiful millionaire Adrian Veidt, also known as Ozymandias, may be considered another questionable superhero with contradictory moral code. As well as Rorschach Ozymandias shows utter desire to conquer evil. Unlike Rorschach who denies deity beings and powers Ozymandias envisions himself as a modern version of a pharaoh who can easily take charge of lives of others. For instance his remark “The only human being with whom I felt any kinship died three hundred years before the birth of Christ. Alexander of Macedonia” proves his huge ego and narcissism. He ignores all laws and morality but his. (Moore and Gibbons)
Also, Veidt demonstrates narcissistic traits of character that are empowered by his cognitive abilities. His failed attempt to create new league of superheroes was destroyed by Comedian`s remark about powers that are above them like a threat of a nuclear war. Such piercing punch line ignited Ozymandias`s ego and inspired him to take everything into his hands and create his master plan in. With this in mind one may see that Veidt can change his methods of acting without altering his moral code. Moreover, he does not have tunnel vision and does not perceive world in black and white colors, on the contrary he sees that world is all shades of gray. Also, his moral code is more chameleon-like with only one thing unchangeable – he knows how to do it right in everything.
The other thing that differs Veidt from Rorschach is his ability and desire to think and predict all possible outcomes of a situation that will provide him with a great number of possible reactions. This trait of character highlights his pedantic desire to be at the top of the world thus implementing his will and morality. Moreover, Veidt may be considered to be an utilitarian who justifies actions by their aftermath therefore pointing out that in order to achieve something great sacrifices are inevitable. This morality is obvious in his attempt to justify his set up of Dr. Manhattan and murders of Comedian and others. Thus he states that at the end it does not matter how peace was achieve the only thing that matters is that there is peace. This statement demonstrates his flexibility of mind and strong imposture of his moral code that is way too strong and is presented in gray colors.
Personally I cannot relate to none of these moral compasses because they go into extremes in their vigilantism. To my mind there is some order in this world and implying one`s moral code thus forcing his/her envision of justice is egoistic and illogical. By vigilantism one can get only more pain and suffering as it was with Rorschach. He is a killer that hides behind his moral code that valiances must be punished. It is false to see world in black and white.
What concerns world perception I agree with Viedt in his gray vision that promotes mind flexibility and ability to predict possible outcomes. However, his narcissism and God complex makes his morality questionable and controversial.
All things considered, Moore does not harshly mock and criticize superheroes and their way of perceiving world and concept of justice; on the contrary he presents realistic picture if superheroes did existed. (Surman) By creating an alternative reality of 1980-s he illuminates not only intricacy of morality concept, but, also, condemns fairytale-like depiction of good and evil. It is clearly seen in all Watchmen characters. (Surman) Moreover, Rorschach and Viedt characters serve as two perfect examples of controversial moral code. They both crave for justice and good but ways of gaining it differ. Thus, due to his black and white world perception Rorschach illuminates undisputable tunnel vision that divides people on good and bad. Moreover, his moral code dictates him to punish all guilty people even of minor crimes like possessing drugs. While Viedt shows more broader morality that states that all world is a scheme of gray color. However, his narcissism makes him force his justice and goodness without questioning which in some point makes him alike with Rorschach. As can be seen these two characters highlight complexity and dichotomy of Moore`s reality in Watchmen.
References
Forbis, Wil. "Searching For The Moral Directive In The Watchmen - Acid Logic". Acidlogic.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 24 May 2016.
Moore, Alan and Dave Gibbons. Watchmen. New York: DC Comics Inc., 1987. Print.
Polo, Susana. "Dear Ted Cruz: Rorschach Is Not A Hero". Polygon. N.p., 2015. Web. 26 May 2016.
Schofer, Jonathan. "Ethics And Vulnerability In Watchmen". Bulletin.hds.harvard.edu. N.p., 2009. Web. 23 May 2016.
Shone, Tom. "Did The Comic Book Really Need To Grow Up?". Slate Magazine. N.p., 2016. Web. 23 May 2016.
Surman, Steven. "Alan Moore's Watchmen And Rorschach: Does The Character Set A Bad Example? - Steven Surman Writes". Steven Surman Writes. N.p., 2015. Web. 23 May 2016.
Tan, Anthony. "Watchmen And Philosophy". Medium. N.p., 2014. Web. 23 May 2016.
