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The first ( and maybe only ) time of year of theWatchmentelevision show has come to an end on HBO . This show follows a less than prima crowing - covert interpretation of thegraphic novel , directed by Zack Snyder back in 2009 . Both that film and this serial publication , are base ( loosely or otherwise ) on the comic mini - series / in writing novel of the same name by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons , published in 1986 and 1987 . That book is hold up as one of the holy grail of the laughable genre . Fans of the original are historically judgmental and territorial of their value story . This is understandable .
While Snyder failed fans nine years ago HBO and Damon Lindelof may have follow , at least in a few way , though complete winner may be unattainable . Here are five reasons the HBO series is a worthy successor to the comic , and 5 reasons it ’s still problematic .
Worthy: Alternate History
Like the original story HBO ’s series takes on a complicated , yet believable , alternate history in which to place its characters . This history is a direct offshoot of the alternate history originally presented by Moore and Gibbons .
In the graphical novel America wins the Vietnam War ( as is cite on the show ) , Nixon serves more than two terms as prexy , and it is Dr. Manhattan ’s presence that escalates the Cold War even more than just nuclear bomb . The series go along and uses this alternate chronicle to great effect while also adding its own details , including the comportment of another white supremacy group , Cyclops .
Problematic: Lady Trieu
Though Lady Trieu ’s chronicle is used to great effect in the season coda ofWatchmenshe leaves a few too many question unanswered until the very end to be completely satisfying as a new character add-on . In theWatchmenmini - serial , all characters are introduced and pass important backstories in progress of the culminate military action of the tale .
Trieu is far less well balanced as a fictitious character . She brings up extra interrogative because so many new graphic symbol are introduced on the show , but are flesh out throughout their appearances and not just at the final stage .
Worthy: Natural Setting
Unlike the Zack Snyder film which worked very intemperately to look like a comic book on - screen Lindelof , for the most part , work intemperately to embrace the feel of the comic rather than its look . With its extensive alternative history , Moore and Gibbons ' history always felt as if these unbelievable characters did be in a very veridical and plausible world .
Except for a few out toward Jupiter , most of the HBO series takes place in Tulsa , on streets that look very much like the single people walk down every day . This matches the opinion of the original story in a very successful way .
Problematic: Dan Dreiberg/Nite Owl
fan are throw a expression at all the hold up heroes from the original Moore and Gibbons tale except , that is , Dan Dreiberg ’s Nite Owl . viewer are told that he is in prison for violating the Keene Act ( not registering to act as a superhero ) but this feels like a raw tidy sum when everyone else who survived their trip to Antarctica at the book ’s last gets to make an appearance of some form .
In subsequence , buff like to see more of a connexion to those they were following before . Dan is sorely miss , even as his engineering ( hi Archie ) makes an coming into court without him .
Worthy: Use of Masks
The graphic novel explores a lot of the possible psychology behind vigilance man who decide to wear mask . The TV show does an excellent line of turning a different lens on the culture of mask - wearing by set up disguises on its police personnel rather than those who are out on their own vigilante crusades .
The masque of the routine police force also work as a recall to the classic cover of the lifelike novel . The masks , like the natural covering , are a very particular and bright shade of yellow .
Problematic: Useless Characters
Moore and Gibbons pile a lot of eccentric into their storey , but everyone is important , and everyone is there for a reason . Unfortunately , one clue left unanswered in the conclusion of the HBO serial publication surrounds a raw masked vigilante that the net has named " Lube Man , " for his power to slide effortlessly into the gutter while wearing a pelt - smashed Ag outfit .
" Lube Man , " makes only one appearance and neither he nor any other clues about him appear on screen door again . A strange addition to a tale that otherwise was incredibly well planned out .
Worthy: Sister Night and Looking Glass
They may both be police detectives rather than masked heroes , but Sister Night and Looking Glass are both desirable descendent of the masked grapheme introduced by Moore and Gibbons back in the 1980s .
They have real - life story stories , family line , and problem that underpin their actions as masked hoagy / police force . They struggle not only in their conflict for justice but in their relationship with others and the world around them , just as Nite Owl , Ozymandius , Silk Spectre and the rest period did on the page .
Problematic: Adrian Veidt and his Solitude
Adrian Veidt or Ozymandius as he is bang as a " hero sandwich " is left a trivial second too alone for comfort in the new series . While the graphical novel ends with most hoi polloi agree not to out his demolition of New York for the sake of world peace , the destructive and conniving character is left to his own devices in Antarctica for an awfully long time before Dr. Manhattan visits him again .
One would suppose that Laurie , at least , with her new position in the FBI might have take up more of an interest in his behaviour since she has such cozy cognition of his anterior problematic behavior .
Worthy: Hooded Justice
The vivid novel and HBO series really intertwine in the backstory of Angela Abar ’s grandfather , Will Reeves . Here the show creates a desirable backstory to a lineament who ’s origins were left inscrutable on the page .
The story not only makes sense for the original character , but also works to push the plot of land of the television set show along . The intact history and story ofWatchmenis rewarded by these contingent and connections .
Problematic: Dr. Manhattan Caring About a Human
Toward the oddment of the originalWatchmenstory , Dr. Manhattan staties , " I am shopworn of earth . these citizenry . I am threadbare of being hitch in the tangle of their lives . " This is part of the reason he get out for Mars . This is part of the reason he considers making his own set of life chassis so that they might be unlike from the human subspecies he left behind . Though Dr. Manhattan ’s bearing is key to the taradiddle search in the television show , and his kinship with Angela Abart is compelling on - screen , no clear explanation is ever really provide to excuse this stark about - grimace on his feelings towards life on earth . He may only manage for Angela , but she , at least , is still a human when they meet .
NEXT : Every Costume in Watchmen , Ranked
