The comic book, Watchmen, by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons is filled with numerous aspects of deconstruction from each character to the overall story to the layout of comic. One character that tears apart the traditional superhero is Rorschach. He is far from the traditional superhero in many ways such as how he became a superhero, his physical appearance, his costume, and his methods. These traits are either over emphasized or deemphasized by Moore to break the mold of the traditional superhero.
Superheroes are either born into the role, such as Superman, or a tragedy occurs in their lives that make them become a superhero like Batman. Rorschach, otherwise known as Walter Kovacs, was an ordinary man who decided to become a masked vigilante after …show more content…
They are typically white males with enormous muscles. Their costumes are brightly colored and unique from normal clothing such as capes and underwear worn on the outside. Every physical characteristic is deemphasized with Rorschach since normally these traits are over emphasized. For example, while Rorschach has muscles, he is not physically fit to perfection. His costume is a dark purple pinstripe suit with gloves, hat, trench coat, and a mask that covers his face completely (Moore and Gibbons I.6). Instead of a brightly colored costume, Rorschach’s costume would be normal attire for everyday life expect for an addition of a …show more content…
Moore emphasized the trauma Kovacs has dealt with in his life as well as his inability to handle difficult situations. As a child Kovacs walked in on his mom, a prostitute, having sex with a man (Moore and Gibbons VI.3-4). He was also bullied by neighborhood children because his mom was a prostitute (Moore and Gibbons VI.6-7). Although people believed he had dealt with his troubled childhood, it is later revealed that he did not. When he first starts out as a superhero he spoke in full sentences like in the first meeting, but after an unsuccessful mission he only talks in broken phrases (Moore and Gibbons II.10; Phillips 71). Since Rorschach hits his mental breaking point, he seems less of a superhero and more
Superheroes are either born into the role, such as Superman, or a tragedy occurs in their lives that make them become a superhero like Batman. Rorschach, otherwise known as Walter Kovacs, was an ordinary man who decided to become a masked vigilante after …show more content…
They are typically white males with enormous muscles. Their costumes are brightly colored and unique from normal clothing such as capes and underwear worn on the outside. Every physical characteristic is deemphasized with Rorschach since normally these traits are over emphasized. For example, while Rorschach has muscles, he is not physically fit to perfection. His costume is a dark purple pinstripe suit with gloves, hat, trench coat, and a mask that covers his face completely (Moore and Gibbons I.6). Instead of a brightly colored costume, Rorschach’s costume would be normal attire for everyday life expect for an addition of a …show more content…
Moore emphasized the trauma Kovacs has dealt with in his life as well as his inability to handle difficult situations. As a child Kovacs walked in on his mom, a prostitute, having sex with a man (Moore and Gibbons VI.3-4). He was also bullied by neighborhood children because his mom was a prostitute (Moore and Gibbons VI.6-7). Although people believed he had dealt with his troubled childhood, it is later revealed that he did not. When he first starts out as a superhero he spoke in full sentences like in the first meeting, but after an unsuccessful mission he only talks in broken phrases (Moore and Gibbons II.10; Phillips 71). Since Rorschach hits his mental breaking point, he seems less of a superhero and more