Watchmen part 2
Where to begin with this one. Well, let’s start with the basics. Welcome to the JU Lounge. It’s been a while snce my last post, and I’ll admit I was distracted when I wrote it because I had the Grammy’s on in the background. Anyways, now to the important stuff that is Watchmen books 4-9.
Needless to say there is a lot here. I want to start off with Rorschach because his backstories was so disturbing, yet captivating. When Kovacs started the case to find the missing girl, he sounded like a real hero saying he’d have her back safely. However, when he discovered the girl’s fate, he turned from hero into something else. I say something else because I don’t consider him a villain either. He’s somewhere in between, but it’s hard to identify someone whose had so many issues. When he handcuffed the man who killed the girl in his house and gave him the saw to cut through himself with, the only thing I could think of was the movie Saw. (okay I guess Scary Movie 4 came to mind too.) This caused a very blurry mind to what heroes in this book are, after all their are so many issues in play. I thought even Batman, who was motivated my vengence, wasn’t a tortue and kill people kind of guy. If he was I don’t think he could be considered a hero. Then this brings up the question what is a hero? Does a hero fly around in a red cape and save people from fires? Or can a hero be simpler? And what if a hero does kill? I don’t know. To me, anyone who looks to kill on purpose can’t be that much of a hero. (or can they?)
So i was going to step away from Rorschach (no really i was!) but I can’t seem to do it. I couldn’t help but re-read the scene where Rorschach is captured because I missed the part where he puts pads in his shoes to appear taller. It’s strange what a mask really does to someone. I look on pg. 28 of book 5 and the images or Rorshach explain it. In the first panel as he leaps from the building he looks powerful and, yes, even heroic. It’s as soon as they take his mask off, “his face”, that he all of a sudden looks out of his mind. He becomes a criminal within just seconds. Masks are a big part of this story. Rorshach’s uses his for fear, to become someone else, someone “better.” Daniel’s maks gives him new found confidence. He is no longer nervous, shy, jittery. He is in command, relaxed, calm, cool, and collected. Rorscach’s psychologist wears a mask. He is loved by all and always happy, nothing seems to bother him, except for Rorshach. On pg. 9 of 6, Rorshach tells him he doesn’t like him. The look on Mal’s face says it all. Shocked, scared, and hurt all at once. Rorshach, stripped of his mask has now stripped Mal’s mask from him. That cool collected docotor who always knows what to say and do is gone.
One more issue before I wrap this lounge up. I got to thinking about Jon during book 9. Just Jon as a character. I found it interesting that the only true superhero in this book doesn’t wear a mask, let alont pants. Most superheroes have masks to hide their identity, or in one case glasses. His mask is different from anyone elses. As he talks and intereacts with people, he has to pretend he doesn’t know what’s going on. Throughout the whole conversation with Laurie it seemed like she was fighting a loosing battle, but in the end Jon agreed to come back to Earth. He had to pretend like he was never going to, even though he knew it. I think he has the saddest story of all of the people in this story. He just doesn’t fit in anywhere. No matter where he goes he will be different and no one will understand him. Even Rorshach has supporters out there, but where are Jon’s. They always seem to turn on him. Sure he could conform into everybody else, but that would be pointless for him. People would still find flaws. His symbol is about simplicity, but he is anything but simple.
February 18, 2007 at 10:14 pm
I found the same fascination with Rorschach as you had. The stories that he provided were so amazingly disturbing that my attention was also locked in. When Dr. Malcolm Long interviewed Rorschach/Kovac I found it appealing when he was able to present the answers that the doctor wanted to hear, while at the same time pushing back the images that were truly in his mind. It was very disturbing gaining insight of what actually went on in his mind…I actually began to feel bad for the guy…he had some major issues!! On the other hand I have to say that your comments regarding Jon being the only true superhero who doesn’t wear a mask or clothes for that matter to be interesting. It seems that he would be the most exposed both without a costume and due to what he had gone through (the accident) and currently being the puppet for the government.
February 18, 2007 at 10:32 pm
John, My Man!
I’m hanging here on the couch, having a little espresso, and thinking about what you said.
“Rorscach’s psychologist wears a mask. He is loved by all and always happy, nothing seems to bother him, except for Rorshach. On pg. 9 of 6, Rorshach tells him he doesn’t like him. The look on Mal’s face says it all. Shocked, scared, and hurt all at once. Rorshach, stripped of his mask has now stripped Mal’s mask from him. That cool collected docotor who always knows what to say and do is gone.”
I think you are dead on with this. It’s as if the good doctor is living a lie. Up until the very point when he is presented with Rorscach’s alternate point of view, he only sees one side of reality. Once he’s been exposed to a new perpective, his sight line is changed forever. He is unable to return to the pretty places and pretty people he once knew, and they no longer accept him either.
So, Mr. Spanish, do you think the name Mal has any meaning here? I’d like to think that it does. Perhaps the authors are trying to say that the doctor’s one dimensional approach, even if that approach has an optimistic attitude, is “bad.” He needs to broaden his sense of the world to include even those dark, ugly spaces that hide at the fringe of his awareness. Acceptance of both sides is the only true reality which offers balance in the world.
Just a thought to ponder here in the lounge.
-Kim
February 18, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Yes, yes, yes! (and I love your pictures usage, holla!) (sorry, the John Urbanski Lounge may not condone the use of words such as ‘holla’
Anywho, the masks thing totally struck me as I was reading your post. Rorschach has a huge issue with the mask. It makes up who he is, and he really thinks it makes him ‘better’ in some way. Simulataneously, he often eats at others’ houses, in which case he has to lift his mask up to allow access to his mouth, which implies that his mask does not satisfy basic needs. Also, his mask was originally a woman’s dress. hmmmm. Before he even knew that he wanted to be a masked avenger, he felt compelled to cut it so it didn’t look like a woman anymore (Chapter 6, pg. 10). And, furthermore, in true Henry Fielding style, I won’t even go into the Dan/Nite Owl mask thing, because I’m sure you, reader, have the imagination to create that argument for yourself.
February 19, 2007 at 1:29 am
Hey John,
I don’t know why, but I’m really interested in Jon’s character now. It’s just so fascinating because we are getting so much more information on who he really is.. which helps out a lot because I was really confused in the beginning. I find it really interesting as well where you said that he’s the only true super hero, but he doesn’t hide who he is at all. He flaunts it all, everything. He’s the most exposed, and most powerful. Ahh and I love when you said “his symbol is about simplicity, but nothing about him is simple.” That’s so true. He has so many things going on you can’t help but feel bad for him. He doesn’t fit in anywhere and the woman he loves.. hooks up with Dan! Which is just weird haha…
February 21, 2007 at 2:53 am
Hi John,
Ya know, I always find it hard to get away from Rorschach too. He just seems like one of those guys that has so much going on underneath that no one will ever figure out, its got to leave you constantly wondering. I was really fascinated by him explaining to Mal, the doctor, how and when he become Rorschach and when he was Kovacs. This mask business has taken him over so much that I think he’s even a little confused and obsessed with himself.