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Victoria Morales
English 114B
Professor Jackie
Feb 5, 2015
Watchmen: A Hero Among us
The graphic novel The Watchmen revolves around six superheroes who are reunited by a
murder. The author, Alan Moore, challenges the meaning of a true hero is throughout the novel
by each characters actions and choices. Its a rare thing to find some one who is a true hero
because a hero has certain characteristics and expectations that are tough to live up to. In the end
there is only one character that has those characteristics as well as exceeded the expectations and
deserves the title of being a hero.
There are many definitions of what makes someone a hero. However they have common
themes and ideas of the characteristics of a hero. For example Mike Dilbeck from Raproject.org
defines a hero as, someone who transforms their compassion into heroic action by putting their
best selves forward in serving humanity. While in the article The Well-Born Superhero written
by Chris Gavaler states, heroes brought around social good in their corrupt societies. Both
authors say that a hero is dedicated to helping people other then themselves. Another author,
Mike Pemberton, describes some characteristics that a hero will possess, Men of action,
distinguished courage and ability, admires for brave deeds and noble qualities. Heroes are
people that we look up to because of their actions. Courage and nobility are traits we hold high
regards, when we see them in others they make us want to be more like them. The characters in
this novel may have been heroes in the past but the one who was one the hero in this novel is
Rorschach.

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Although Laurie was a part of the Crime Busters when she was younger and helped save
the tenants from the fire she isnt a hero. Laurie doesnt know who she is or what she wants to
do, the only thing she knows is that shes not living her own life. Which is expressed when she
says things like, Because my stupid mother wanted me to! (33) Laurie always states that her
mother forced her to be crime fighter or hero. However it appears that she likes fighting crime
more that shed like to admit. Laurie and Dan walk into an alley knowing they were going to
run into trouble. Another example of Laurie showing an interest of being a superhero again
was when she snoops around Dans ship, shes not just motivated by curiosity, shes drawn to it
because theres a part of her that likes being a superhero. However she hides that part of her
when by telling Dan, The Keenie Act was the best thing that ever happened to us.(33)
Although Laurie has potential to be a hero, her heart was never into it and keeps her from being a
hero. She has doesnt have the drive to, protect others, make tough decisions and isnt
courageous enough to do whats right and tell the truth in the end.
Dan has good morals but that isnt enough to make him a hero. He has a lot of doubts
about others and himself. Dan reflects on when he used to work with Rorschach and isnt sure if
he did the right thing by quitting being a superhero but seems to regret that decision when he
asks, Those were great time Rorschach. Great times, whatever happened to them?(13).
Another example that shows that Dan yearns to be a superhero is that he keeps all of his old
equipment in good and working condition, like hes waiting until the day he can use it all again.
He tries to hide his interest in returning to work by brushing off his updated equipment when he
says, I was just tinkering, you know nothing serious(216). Like Laurie, Dans not
committed to being a hero, he waited until it seemed like the world was going to end to get
involved and help Rorschach. Although Dan has compassion for others he compromises when

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he sides with John, Laurie, and Vedit that the lives lost were necessary in order to deceive the
everyone into world peace. A true hero would have stood up for what was right.
The idea of creating world peace could make the person who did it a hero, but the way
Vedit chose to do accomplish world peace was not heroic at all. As Pemberton stated in his
article a hero is admired for their noble actions however, there was nothing noble in Vedits
decision to sacrifice innocent lives and committed multiple murders in order to lie to the entire
world. No one admires a liar or murder; his decisions make him the villain in the novel. Vedit
didnt have to create world peace in such a deceitful and despicable way. He even began to
question his actions shortly after they became a reality. Seeking validations for his plan Vedit
asks John, I did the right thing, didnt I? It all worked out in the end(409). If Vedit had found a
way to create world peace that wasnt so villainous he would have been a hero and spared
millions of innocent lives.
John wasnt looked up to, people feared him while others thought that he could have been
a god and were afraid of what he was capable of. Its shown that John doesnt think of himself as
a god when he tells girlfriend at the time I dont think there is a God Janey. If there is, Im not
him.(121) John isnt a hero because he lacks a very important quality that a hero must have,
compassion for others. He cant sympathize with humans, which means hes unlikely to
intervene unless asked to do so. For example if President Nixon hadnt wanted John to go to
Vietnam, he wouldnt have gone on his own. The Comedian knew that John lacked compassion
and called him out on it when he said, You dont really give a damn about human kind.(57).
The incident with the pregnant woman proved that to The Comedian. Another example of Johns
inability to care for others is that he has to be convinced by Laurie to save the world. His lack of
compassion makes him unable to be a hero.

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Rorschach is the only hero in the novel, although his methods of investigating were harsh
and perhaps a bit unethical. However, in the beginning he was the one who showed an interest in
The Comedians murder and how everything was connected. Rorschach was always wiling to do
anything to find the truth in all of his cases. He shows his courage and nobility when he tells
Dan and Laurie, Not even in the face of Armageddon. Never compromise.(402). This means
that nothing will stop him from doing what is right even if it means that hell die in the process.
Rorschach fulfills Dilbecks definition of a hero because he sacrificed himself for the publics
right to know the truth. Rorschach also lives up to Gavalers idea of a hero because although
Rorschach says that the society around him is corrupt, he tries to bring out the social good by
giving his final draft of his journal to the newspaper. That way if he died there was a chance the
truth would be revealed to the world.
Watchmen challenges what it means to be a hero. Laurie is not a hero because she lacks
the heart and drive to be a hero. Dan isnt a hero either because he was too afraid of the
consequences that hed have to face for being a superhero again. Johns lack of compassion is
what makes him unable to be a hero, he as the powers to solve any problem but wont help
unless he can see the value of intervening. Rorschach is the only hero in the novel because he is
noble, courageous, and was never willing to compromise what was right even in the face of
death. While the others wouldnt dare get involved until things got too out of hand or did care at
all of the outcome. Rorschach sacrificed himself for the publics right to know the truth and he
was able to set the truth free in his journal that a waits to be shared with the world.

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Work cited
Dilbeck, Mike. What Really Is a Hero, Anyway?. Raproject.org. N.p., Sept. 2014. Web. 24 Jan.
2015
Gavaler, Chris. The Well-Born Superhero. The Journey of American Culture,37.2(2014):182197
Moore, Alan, and Dave Gibbons. Watchmen. New York: Warner Books, 1987. Print.
Pemberton, Mike. "Examining the Definition of Hero." News Gazette. (2013):C3