Though it may show some images parents may not be alright with, reading it was a positive experience for me. It brought certain philosophical notions into play, contains a great deal of symbolism, and delves into the harsh reality of our world, figuratively shown in a world parallel to ours. Though the characters are morally ambiguous, it was a refreshing change to see that even heroes are human. It is much more realistic, believe it or not, than other widely accepted hero stories, which rely entirely upon our willing suspension of disbelief to thrive. Watchmen is a great Graphic Novel to start with, if you are reading your first one, but whether or not it is appropriate depends on the maturity of the reader, though i would generally say that 15 and up is a good age, and 14 would be iffy. Though there was a significant amount of drinking, smoking and sexual references and acts, based on the general plotline and the ideologies shown in the novel, it wasn't completely out of line. Whether or not the messages in the book are positive is open to interpretation, but the book as a whole questions morality and human nature in general, which I found intriguing when I read it at 15.