THE ANNOTATED WATCHMEN

Another trend is the title, which is always an excerpt from an apropos quote shown in its entirety in the last panel. This issue's title is from Bob Dylan's "Desolation Row."

The clock appearing on the covers counts the minutes to midnight, similar to the clock in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which is an estimate of the world's closeness to nuclear war. The clock stands at 11 minutes to midnight, and advances by one minute per issue.

Cover: First appearance of the blood-spattered smiley-face button. The button belonged to the Comedian, who we first see in flashback on page 2. The shape of the blood stain reappears in issues 11 and 12.

• Page 1
  • Panel 1:
    The narration is an excerpt from Rorschach's journal. The blood is from the Comedian.

    Rorschach's opener on page 1 issue 1 is a dead ringer for the dialogue of 'Travis' in the film 'Taxi Driver'

  • Panel 4:
    Possible symbolism: "Followed in the footsteps" as Rorschach tracks the blood on the sidewalk. Rorschach believes his father was a war hero (see issue 6). He sees President Truman as a good man, hard-working and honest; possibly his ordering the nuking of Hiroshima has something to do with this, too.

  • Panel 5:
    The vehicle with the triangle in the circle belongs to Pyramid Deliveries. The triangle is a continuing theme; its significance will be learned later on. Pyramid Deliveries is owned by Adrian Veidt (Ozymandias); he seems to be everywhere in this series.

    If the vehicles appear strange, it's because they are electrically powered.

  • Panel 7:
    The first appearance of Joe Bourquin, who is a continuing character.
• Page 2
  • Panel 1:
    The first appearance of Detective Steve Fine, who is also a continuing character.
  • Panel 3:
    We see these flashbacks from another point of view in issue 11.
  • Panels 4-7:
    Edward Blake is in good shape because he's the Comedian. His identity is not public knowledge; he is well-known in diplomatic circles as Blake. As the Comedian, he has been employed by the government since WWII. Edward Blake obviously a reference to Blake Edwards, the director of the Pink Panther comedies. And, no one's spotted this, Rorsharch's methods of terrorism are all taken from Pink Panther movies.
  • Panel 8:
    We see how he got the scar in issue 2.

    In our world, Ford was vice-president from 1973 (when Spiro Agnew resigned) to 1974, when Nixon resigned and he became president. In their world, somebody, maybe the Comedian, snuffed Woodward and Bernstein before they could report Watergate, and this, combined with Nixon's popularity following the victory in Vietnam, led to his serving at least five terms.

• Page 3
  • Panel 3:
    This shows the source of the blood-spatter on the button.
  • Panel 7:
    This panel is an example of a continuing narrative device throughout the series: a narration box applying to the rest of the panel, although it's not directly related. This is used to good effect in the "Tales of the Black Freighter" sections, for example.
• Page 4
  • Panel 1:
    Knot-tops are a popular fashion, especially common among street gangs. KT-28 seems to be a popular street drug; the users refer to them as "Katies."
  • Panel 3:
    First appearance an issue of "Tales of the Black Freighter." Note the other things on the newsstand: two pirate comics and a _New York Times_ with "Vietnam 51st State: Official!" as the headline. As is demonstrated later, in this world pirate comics supplanted super-hero comics as the principal product of the industry.
  • Panel 5:
    First appearance of the Gunga Diner. The person in the lower right-hand corner is a Knot-top.

    The Gunga Diner is this world's equivalent of McDonald's, as the ever- present fast-food restaurant. It was founded by an Indian who left the country during the famine in the '60's (see the poster on page 17).

    If this newsstand is meant to be the same one that appears again starting with #3, it is misplaced (see notes for issue #5).

    This panel is the first appearance of a reference to "Mmeltdowns," a popular candy. (See Ozymandias's interpretation in issue #10, page 8.)

    Notice the 25-cent fare on the taxi.

• Page 5
  • Panel 3:
    The button reappears.
  • Panel 6:
    This is Rorschach's gas-powered grappling gun, built for him by Daniel Dreiberg (Nite Owl II).
• Page 6
  • Panel 1:
    Here we see Rorschach's mask for the first time. Notice that the patterns are constantly shifting; the mask is formed by "two viscous fluids between two layers latex, heat and pressure sensitive."

    Rorschach's name comes from Dr. Hermann Rorschach, who invented a psychological test based on interpretations of inkblots. Inkblots are formed by pouring ink onto a piece of paper, folding it, and unfolding it, producing a symmetrical image. The actual Rorschach test uses ten cards with multi-colored blots.

    Also, notice the geodesic dome in the background; this is the Astrodome. Its purpose is never mentioned, apart from being the site of a charity event Ozymandias performed at; but it's identified in issue #7, page 23. (This structure does not exist in our New York; there is a building named the Astrodome, but it's in Houston.)

• Page 8
  • Panel 1:
    This is the Comedian's equipment and second costume. The picture on the left (which we see more clearly later) is a group shot of the Minutemen, a 1940's crimefighting team of which Blake was a member for a while. (More on his past in issue 2.)
• Page 9
  • Panels 1-3:
    The man pictured and speaking is Hollis Mason, the first Nite Owl. He is speaking to Dan Dreiberg, who took up his name. Mason was the second costumed adventurer. On his wall are various pictures and clippings from his career; one is seen to read "Hero Retires: Opens Own Auto Business." Note the time on his clock. Phantom is his dog.
  • Panel 4:
    The statuette was presented to Mason upon his retirement. The books are: Two copies of his autobiography, _Under the Hood_; _Automobile Maintenance_; and _Gladiator_ by Wylie (one of the first novels about a superhero, and partial inspiration for Superman). Note the owl items.
  • Panel 6:
    The "Pale Horse" graffiti refers to a popular band.
  • Panel 7:
    "Who Watches the Watchmen" was popular graffiti around the time of the Keene act. It comes from the Latin phrase "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes" from Juvenal's _Satires_ and, of course, is the source of the title of the series. The phrase never appears in its entirety in the series; it is always cut off somehow.

    The Keene Act, re-illegalizing vigilantism, was passed in 1977; it was named after its sponsor, Senator Keene. I don't think Keene was a real person, and we never learn his (her, for all we know) name or home state. I'd guess he was from New York, though; NYC was the home of most cotumed heroes, and hence would have been the likeliest site of the police strike.

  • Panel 8:
    "Obsolete models a specialty." Mason learned his trade on internal combustion engines, not electric ones. (It also serves as a commentary on Mason.) Note the "Gunga Diner" takeout box. It should be clear that this isn't a very good neighborhood.
• Page 10
  • Panel 1:
    The lyrics on page are from the song 'Neighborhood Threat' written by Iggy Pop and David Bowie. The original appears on 'Lust for Life' by Iggy, and is sung by Iggy. A weaker cover is available on Tonight by David Bowie. Iggy Pop and the stooges are a band who would fit well into the apparent anarchy and nihilism or the 'Pale Horse' rock band. I can think of no other link or imprtance, save that Pop and Bowie are far more important in the UK in terms of cultutral credibility, and thus would be natural icons for Moore to draw inspiration from. Interestingly, the relationship between Pop and Bowie seems to be similar to the one between Rorsach and Dreiberg..where Rorsach *is* a mask, and Dreiberg *pretends* to be a mask. In the lates 70s Bowie and Pop hung out a lot together, but Pop was always far more 'on the edge, and possibly over it' than Bowie, who could alway tell that his Rock and Roll persona was just that, a persona (mask).
  • Panel 2:
    The first appearance of Nostalgia, a Veidt product, which reappears continually throughout the series. Veidt products seem to infiltrate every corner of life. Also, Treasure Island, a comics shop which reappears a few times.
  • Panel 3:
    The plate on the right reads "Floors 1-4 Dreiberg;" apparently Dan owns the entire building. The male Knot-Top here is Derf, who reappears later. The headline reads, "Russia Protests US Adventurism in Afghanistan," and the storefront says "86 Buicks Here!" The headline is a reversed version of news in our world; the US was opposing Russian adventurism at this time.
  • Panel 7:
    The calendar on the right appears later; it has a picture of an owl.
  • Panel 8:
    The can refers to "58 Varieties." In our world, it's "Heinz 57." The slogan was invented in 1892; apparently there are at least trivial differences between our world and theirs going back a ways.
• Page 11
  • Panel 3:
    The button again.
  • Panel 5:
    The first apearance of "Sweet Chariot" sugar cubes. (I don't know if these are a Veidt product; the "Chariot" reference is his style, but the name refers to a Gospel song, which isn't.)
  • Panel 8:
    This is Dreiberg's workshop. The thing under the tarps is "Archie," his flying vehicle.
• Page 12
  • Panel 1:
    Dreiberg retired after the Keene act.
  • Panel 8:
    On the right is Dreiberg's Nite Owl costume, which we see clearly on the next page.
• Page 13
  • Panel 2:
    Rorschach and Nite Owl worked together during the '70's in the dock and warehouse district.
• Page 14
  • Panel 4:
    The sign in the window reads "Stick with Dick in '84;" obviously a Nixon campaign sign.
  • Panel 5:
    The first appearance of Happy Harry's, a sleazy bar that Rorschach patronizes for information. The headline on the paper reads, "Congress Approves Lunar Silos," and the graffiti reads, "Viet Bronx." In our world, international treaties prohibit nuclear weapons in space; evidently here, the US's increased clout due to Dr. Manhattan stopped such treaties.
• Page 15
  • Panel 2:
    Happy Harry himself.
• Page 17
  • Panel 1:
    The speaker is Adrian Veidt, formerly Ozymandias, another retired crimefighter. We learn his background in issue 11. Notice the time on the clock.
  • Panel 4:
    Dr. Manhattan, who we learn more about later, is the center of America's current defensive strategy; he can theoretically destroy large chunks of Soviet territory and simultaneously 60% of incoming missiles fired at the US before they impact, thus giving the US an immense strategic advantage. (See the essay at the end of issue #4.)
  • Panel 6:
    The poster reads: "Veidt: OZYMANDIAS Southern Indian Famine Relief."
  • Panel 7:
    This is just what Veidt did.
• Page 18
  • Panel 1:
    There is a considerable difference of opinion between the two; their political beliefs and world-views are radically different.
  • Panel 3:
    Rorschach's exit through the window and Veidt's "Have a nice day" is either a very subtle hint, or just coincidence.
  • Panel 4:
    The _Gazette_ headline reads, "Nuclear Clock Stands at Five to Twelve, Warn Experts;" below it, "Geneva Talks: U.S. Refuses to Discuss Dr. Manhattan." Note the city, with the airship and the Astrodome.
• Page 19
  • Panel 1:
    "Rockefeller Military Research Center, Founded 1981." The symbol on the left of the sign bears a striking resemblance to Superman's chest logo as it originally appeared.
  • Panel 4-5:
    The others referred to were all members of the Minutemen. More on them later.
  • Panel 5:
    The door reads, "Special Talent Quarters: Private."
  • Panel 9:
    The speaker is Dr. Manhattan.
• Page 20
  • Panel 1:
    Dr. Manhattan can change his size at will (among other things). The woman is Sally Juspeczyk, the second Silk Spectre and daughter of the original.
• Page 21
  • Panel 6:
    As we see in the next issue these "allegations" are true. The sugar cube is one he got from Dreiberg's apartment.
• Page 22
  • Panel 5:
    Dr. Manhattan can also teleport himself and others. He has complete control over matter (to put it in superhero terms).
• Page 23
  • Panel 7:
    The bestiary refers to a list of the subatomic particles whose existence has been confirmed, but The Bestiary is a place from Dr. Manhattan's past (see issues 3-4).
• Page 24:
  A number of reoccuring themes on this page. A Gunga Diner box, "Who Watches the Watchmen" graffiti, and a Nixon campaign poster. The "Krystalnacht" graffiti and the poster refer to Pale Horse's upcoming Madison Square Garden concert (Krystalnacht is another band appearing with Pale Horse). The shadows of the embracing lovers in panels 3-4 are a continuing motif and are a referral to the Hiroshima/Nagasaki shadows of two embracing lovers who undoubtedly died but whose shadows remained on the wall when the flash from the atom bomb burned the paint around their shadows on the wall. The curved surface above Rorschach's head may be the Astrodome. A "Tales of the Black Freighter" appears in the trash in panel 5.

  The band name, "Pale Horse," refers to Revelations 6:8, where the fourth horseman of the Apocalypse, Death, is said to ride a pale horse. (Sometimes a pale green horse.) The band's lead singer is named Red D'Eath (more on this later). The other band's name, "Krystalnacht," refers to a night of terror against Jews in Nazi Germany; the name derives from all the broken glass from broken storefronts.

• Page 25
  • Panel 1:
    Presumably this is the Astrodome again.
  • Panel 2:
    Laurie is Dr. Manhattan's lover. She's kept around by the military to have some control over him.
  • Panel 4:
    The red-headed woman also has the knot-top hairstyle; presumably she's not a gang member. (Compare the hairstyles and fashions here to those actually in use in '85, and remember that this is a fancy restaurant. Also, notice the two men embracing in the lower right-hand corner; is this an indication of social changes?) The chicken/turkey being served on the left of the panel has four legs and no wings; apparently genetic engineering has gone a ways. Notice the Egiptianīs style eye make up. Of course Veidtīs influence.
  • Panel 8:
    The button yet again.
• Page 26:
  Notice the similarity between this page and page 1.
• Pages 27-32:
  Excerpts from "Under the Hood," Hollis Mason's autobiography, detailing his early life.
• Page 5
  • Paragraph 1:
    Mason was a fan of the pulps, one of the earliest sources of superheroic literature. Doc Savage and the Shadow seem to be an influence on him.
  • Paragraph 4:
    Action Comics #1, the first appearance of Superman and perhaps the most important single work in the development of the superhero.
• Page 6
  • Paragraph 1:
    "All these old characters are gone and forgotten now;" superhero comics never caught on in a world with real costumed adventurers.
  • Paragraph 4:
    The first costumed vigilante, Hooded Justice. More on him in the next issue.