Watchmen
- By Alan Moore
- Genre: Science Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Retired heroes fight to save themselves in gritty classic.
- By Alan Moore
- Genre: Science Fiction
What parents need to know
Violence
Sex
Language
Consumerism
Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this landmark graphic novel is meant for mature readers and contains lots of violent imagery, profane language, and events of vigilante justice. That aside, Moore and Gibbons work together to create a genre-shaping graphic novel that's as engrossing visually as it is in plot.
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What's the story?
When even superheroes need saving, you know you've got a major problem. In WATCHMEN's alternate history, America is on the brink of social combustion. By passing the Keene Act, the government banned vigilante justice, forcing America's greatest superheroes into retirement. Years later, the murder of The Comedian draws old colleagues back into action, but the circumstances behind his death may run far deeper than mere personal vendetta.
Is it any good?
QUALITY
Renowned comic writer Alan Moore helped shape the concept of "adult comics" into a reality. With its sophisticated plot, complex characterizations, and spot-on rendering of the human condition, Watchmen is the quintessential graphic novel. Dave Gibbons' expressive, brooding illustrations complement, not carry, the literary merit of its writing. Poetic in verse and saturated with psychological realism, Watchmen is the only graphic novel thus far to make Time's "100 Best Novels" list, an accomplishment that's well earned.
On the flip side, parents may have a hard time stomaching the story's graphic violence and crass dialogue. Watchmen has come a long way from the cartoonish "POW" and "KABLAMO" of its comic book predecessors. Keep in mind that this graphic novel is meant for mature audiences and is chock full of adult themes and complex issues. That said, Watchmen is a gripping read for any fan of the science fiction or mystery genre.
Families can talk about...
Families can talk about the many ethical issues raised by the actions and circumstances of the characters. What is a nihilist, and how might being one affect The Comedian's actions? How does the story's alternate history differ from what happened in reality? Is it ever OK to take the law into your own hands?
Book details
| Author: | Alan Moore |
| Illustrator: | Dave Gibbons |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Publisher: | DC Comics |
| Publication date: | April 1, 1995 |
| Number of pages: | 416 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 15 - 17 |
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QUALITY
Perfect First Graphic Novel for Mature Readers
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.
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QUALITY
Awesome book for adults, keep it away from the kids
LOVED it when I read it for a college class. That's what it's appropriate for. College students. Heck, I'm iffy about my 17 year old brother reading it. Definitively not for young teens, and iffy for older teens. The rape scene is more intense than the review seemed to indicate, and the violence is massive. Also, the "heroes" are deliberately morally ambiguous. No character in the story is a great role model, and the message is a morally ambiguous one. Lots of depth, and a great read for all the adults out there, but not for the kids.
What other families should know
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
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QUALITY
A Great Book
The characters are incredibly interesting. Nite-Owl II is a nerd, Rorschach is a psycho, Silk Spectre II is a depressive, The Comedian is a nihilist, Ozymandias is an insane genius, an Dr. Manhattan has lost touch with humans. Alan Moore does very well with all of these characters, and it's a great story.
What other families should know
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
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