"Watchmen" is a comic book consisting of the twelve issues published by DC Comics in the period from September 1986 to October 1987, and later reprinted in a graphic novel. The authors of the series - a writer Alan Moore, an artist Dave Gibbons, and a colorist John Higgins used the prototypes of the superheroes. The right to use these prototypes had been purchased before by DC Comics from another company publishing comics, - Charlton Comics. To Moore’s suggestions there was no possibility of further use of many of the characters, so an editor Dick Giordano convinced writers to create new ones.
Moore used the story as a means of repelling the social problems of the time and critique of the superhero concept. The scene of the comics is set in an alternate reality of 1980s where the superheroes appeared in the 1940-1960s and helped the US to win the war in Vietnam. A few years later the United States were on the edge of nuclear war with the USSR, and costumed characters are proclaimed to be outlawed. The most of them got out of business, but some continued secretly to work for the government. The plot is built on the investigation of a former hero’s assassination, being funded by the Government. This investigation leads to discovering of a terrible truth and provokes death of millions in order to prevent a nuclear war.
"Watchmen" have received positive feedback by both specialized comics editions and mass media. The novel is considered one of the best in the history of comic books and has been awarded with the numerous awards, together with the creators. After a number of attempts to film adaptation, it was released by a movie director Zack Snyder in 2009, who was ambivalently praised by the critics.
The series was nominated for Comic Buyers Guide magazine, covering events of the American comic book industry. In 1986, the "Watchmen" took 3rd place in the category "Best Comic Book", 2nd place in the "Best Limited Series" and the first - in the nomination "The best comic book series in the current sale." Alan Moore has received the award as the best writer, John Higgins took ninth place in the nomination "The best colorist" and Rorschach - fourth place in the nomination "The best character."
"Watchmen" have received positive feedback by both specialized comics editions and mass media. The novel is considered to be one of the best in the history of comic books and has been awarded with the numerous awards along with the creators. After a number of attempts of film adaptation, it has been finally released as a movie of the same name By director Zack Snyder in 2009.
The series was nominated for Comic Buyers Guide magazine, covering events of the American comic book industry. In 1986, the "Watchmen" took 3rd place in the category "Best Comic Book", 2nd place in the "Best Limited Series" and the first - in the nomination "The best comic book series in the current sale." Alan Moore has received the award as the best writer, John Higgins took ninth place in the nomination "The best colorist" and Rorschach - fourth place in the nomination "The best character."
