Watchmen Booker's Seven Basic Plots Analysis

We could have gone down another road and called Watchmen a comedy, but we’ll stick with the quest for now.

The Call

To Rorschach, NYC is and always will be a cesspool, but if he can bring the Comedian’s murderer to justice, he will be able to justify his own existence as a masked vigilante. His talents and skills are strength, resourcefulness, and a never-say-die attitude. Not much of a sense of humor, though.

The Journey

Along the way, Rorschach pulls Nite Owl back into the hero game, who in turn pulls Silk Spectre, who in turn pulls Dr. Manhattan. When Rorschach is falsely accused of murder and sent to jail, he has to relive his most painful memories. Prison + childhood trauma = journey through the underworld.

Arrival and Frustration

Flying in Archie, Rorschach and Nite Owl travel to Antarctica where they confront Veidt for his evil deeds (which include killing the Comedian). Only then do they learn Veidt isn’t trying to start World War III, he’s trying to prevent it. This muddies the once-clean waters of Rorschach’s revenge. And believe us when we say the guy could use a bath.

The Final Ordeals

Part of what makes Watchmen so compelling is that the heroes don’t triumph in some neat, tidy way. We’re not sure any of them truly are heroes. No matter what, Rorschach won’t quit from the Quest, so Dr. Manhattan has to kill him, spontaneous-combustion style.

The Goal

You might think that with Rorschach dead he can no longer reach his “Goal.” Remember, though, the New Frontiersman might publish his journal. If so, then the world will learn the truth about Veidt, whatever the cost.