Unlike some of the other major characters that can firmly be termed as superheroes, Watchmen have been utterly controversial figures, right from when DC first introduced them, back in 1986. Major characters such as Ozymandias and Doctor Manhattan were initially integrated in DC’s primary universe via 2017’s Doomsday Clock, which saw the two featured alongside iconic figures such as Batman, Superman, and the Joker.
However, a range of prominent narratives in the past have led to Watchmen often being accused of being fascist, which in itself was a major plot point that DC Comics dealt with in the 1980s. While the likes of Rorschach, Doctor Manhattan, and The Comedian have often engaged in questionable acts, Alan Moore, back in 1987, debunked the common notion, claiming that none of his characters were fascist.
Moore claimed that while the Watchmen’s actions have been questionable to say the least, multiple times, they act out not because of fascism. Instead, the characters are simply seldom in control of their world, which leads to them committing major atrocities that have led to the commonly-aired criticism.
Alan Moore once swore that none of his Watchmen characters are fascist
The argument that the Watchmen’s anti-heroes are fascists originated also because when the characters were first introduced, DC and Marvel both seemed to be toying with the notion of superheroes emerging as fascist figures. In comic arcs such as Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and Marvel’s Squadron Supreme, superheroes were seen converting their nations into totalitarian states because they thought it was the best way to protect it.
That, combined with the fact that several Watchmen protagonists engaged in utterly questionable acts further spurred the notion. Doctor Manhattan was seen killing Vietnamese soldiers and innocent people, Rorschach often used torture and pain as an investigation technique, and the Comedian also had his fair share of utterly violent acts.
This, however, according to Alan Moore, was not down to fascism:
Rorschach’s not a fascist; he’s a nutcase. The Comedian’s not a fascist; he’s a psychopath. Dr. Manhattan’s not a fascist; he’s a space cadet. They’re not fascists. They’re not in control of their world.
Hence, Moore explained, quite funnily, that his characters were not fascist figures, despite the kind of acts that they have been seen committing. Instead, the Watchmen are simply do not have the kind of control over their world some of the other major DC superheroes exert, which begs the question: Are they even superheroes?
Watchmen presents an alternate take on superheroes, more akin to The Boys
There have been several narrations that have focused on the negatives of superheroes, and what happens when the world, and its people, begin to depend on figures that are almost revered by human beings. While The Boys presents superheroes who are anything but, Watchmen presents a similar take, albeit amongst well-intentioned beings who actually wish to protect their world.
However, the likes of Doctor Manhattan, Rorschach, Captain Metropolis, and a range of other superheroes featured in Watchmen, existed in a darker world, and often found themselves unable to save it. Moore himself explained:
To show how superheroes could deform the world just by being there, not that they’d have to take it over, just their presence there would make the difference. [T]he atom bomb doesn’t take over the world, by being there it changes everything.
This led to morally questionable superheroes who were too engrossed in doing their best, despite their obvious shortcomings, than focusing on power and influence, or emerging as fascist figures.
2009’s Watchmen is available to watch on Amazon Prime.
