Musings on Watchmen: Death of the Hero Archetype

As I am, of now, only a "watcher" of the "Watchmen" mythos, and not yet a reader, I beg forgiveness for being unaware of any "misinterpretations" that may have happened in the story transfer from page to film. Apparently, I have a giant squid to look forward to.

That being said, the philosophy presented by "Watchmen" is full of many juxtapositions, all of which have the right to be heard.

The image of our world facing imminent annihilation is, of course, entertained here. Yet, is destructive imagery something we need to be filling our "hopeful" minds with? "Garbage in, garbage out," is what my mom used to tell me. But, as I only saw it as an obstacle between me and watching "R-Rated" movies, or for that matter, Ninja Turtles, I often scoffed at what I just considered lame parenting. Though now, I consider, how jaded is our culture, consuming fast entertainment like we do fast food, always vaguely being aware of what is put into our bodies; while like stale freedom fries, images of over-processed violence sit in our stomachs, with no digestion in sight.

That also being said, the violence of "Watchmen" was eventually parabled by the quest for exposing human nature. There were no heroes or villains (tags decidedly old world by now), only the occasional antagonistic hiccup coupled by protagonists who may as well have been janitors, here and there simply cleaning up the mess that chaos would inevitably form.

These feelings cause me to question the motives of even such great
antagonists that a conspiracy-laden, "evolving" audience might be
aware of--scouring the internet for evidence of some ancient, corrupt, evil/alien force pulling "the strings"--that perhaps such provocative, "devilish" forces of our
world are here for a reason; maybe, to provoke the opposite forces into
realization.

The "hero" archetype, as we think we know it, is empty
and dead, and like The Comedian, an idea that assumed it was here to
propel identity towards new horizons and promises. The archetype grows
aware, extracted by image after image of bloated "homo superior"-ism,
while the populace stands in awe, transfixed, and taunted by dreams of
unattainable godhood.

So, if chaos and destruction is inevitable, what's the resolve? While our heads are filled with images of destruction, turmoil, and pain, it is important to expect what may truly erupt from such ashes. "Life," the film proclaims.

After seeing "Watchmen" did I in no way want to scale massive buildings, fight evil dragons, or watch my Buick turn into a giant robot. I left the theater with thoughts simmering, and felt pretty good about being the simple hero that is myself.