Plot Summary: A group of costumed crime fighters, named the Crimebusters, came together in the 1940s and worked for the government to keep the peace. However, eventually the group is disbanded and it becomes illegal to be a masked crusader. Decades later one of the original Crimbusters is killed and another of the originals thinks there is a larger plot in place, to discredit or eliminate all of the Crimebustesr. As sinister and suspicious events continue to unfold it looks like the conspiracy theory has legs. In addition, shady information has come out about America's newest super power Dr. Manhattan that has him on edge. With the power of the world in balance, and nuclear war imminent, it's up to what's left of the new Crimebusters to piece together the puzzle and find out who or what is behind this plot. Can they solve the mystery before it's too late?
Critical Evaluation: Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons are giants in their field, mostly on the backs of this graphic novel, originally published serially in the 1980s. The dark themes, and adult content in this book are masterfully intertwined with engaging illustrations and character development. As you read the book you will be completely engulfed by the world they create and looking for Nite Owl or the Silk Spectre over your shoulder. While many graphic novels stay firmly in the splashy and superficial content area of the genre, but The Watchmen transcends graphic novels and is a wonderful novel full stop.
Reader's Annotation: Superheroes are real and they're not all on our side. Who knows what they really want, or who they really are.
About the Author/Illustrator: Alan Moore was born in 1953 and first began working as a cartoonist for a weekly magazine in 1979. Moore eventually began writing and left illustration behind. He began working for DC and reinvinted The Swamp Thing. After that success he began work on The Watchmen which cemented his status in the world of comics.
After becoming disillusioned with mainstream comics companies, Moore began working at small independent publishers and eventually formed his own company - America's Best Comics, at which he's still writing titles today. He lives in England.
Dave Gibbons, the illustrator, was born in 1949 and first contributed to the comic book field in 1973. His breakout success came with the first publication of The Watchmen in the 1980s, and since then he has drawn and written for every major comic book publisher.
He's still active in the comic book world and is a regular installation at conventions. He lives in England with his wife.
Information retrieved from Something About the Author Database
Genre: Graphic Novel
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Booktalking Ideas: Imagine reality of Dr. Manhattan, what would that mean for national defense today in Afghanistan and Iraq. Are super heroes a good idea for law enforcement?
Reading Level: 12+
Interest Age: 16+
Challenge Issues: Sexually Explicit Imagery, Dark Themes, Violence
Challenge Response: I would refer to exemplary literary reviews of this title, widely considered best graphic novel of all time. I would pair reading of this book with discussions of war and bombing.
Why is This Included: This is considered to be the greatest graphic novel/comic of all time, included on lists of best novels of all time, represents the best of the genre.
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