Special Sub-Topic: "Watchmen" I Click Here To Play: "Watchmen" I

The first chapter of "Watchmen" begins with an investigation into the death of which masked vigilante?

The Comedian. The evidence at the scene of the crime suggests that the rather muscular Edward Blake was thrown through the window of his high-rise apartment with considerable force. The enigmatic Rorshach conducts his own investigation and discovers Blake's hidden costume in a secret compartment in his closet.

The "Keene Act of '77" outlawed masked vigilantes, but the US government continued to sponsor and sanction the activities of which two "extranormal operatives"?

Dr. Manhattan and The Comedian. We learn from Hollis Mason that The Comedian had been working for the government since the passage of the "Keene Act" knocking over Marxist Republics in South America. Meanwhile, Dr. Manhattan was contracted by the US government and stationed at the Rockefeller Military Research Center where he is involved in advanced research in the fields of quantum mechanics and nuclear physics. Dr. Manhattan possesses truly superhuman powers, and the US government has taken advantage of his presence to neutralize the Soviet threat. Rorshach continues to operate illegally. Ozymandias retired before the passage of the "Keene Act" and has achieved financial success in the business sector.

Which masked adventurer is the alter-ego of Daniel Dreiberg?

Nite Owl II. Dreiberg took up the mantle of Nite Owl after Hollis Mason retired. When Rorshach comes to inform Dreiberg of Blake's death, we learn that he and Rorshach were partners before the former quit.

Which of the former heroes in the "Watchmen" story arch acquired a reputation as the world's smartest man?

Adrian Veidt. Adrian Veidt's alter-ego was Ozymandias. Veidt chalks up his reputation to some very overenthusiastic P.R. men, but Rorshach considers him a sellout and a prostitute for having cashed in on his reputation. Michael Tienken is not a "Watchmen" character. Jon Osterman is Dr. Manhattan.

At one point, Rorshach provides details in his journal concerning the fate of former masked adventurers. Which of those entries is NOT faithfully reproduced here?

"Mothman's dying in a Californian rest resort.". According to Rorshach's journal entry of October 13th, 1985, "Mothman's in an asylum up in Maine". The first Silk Spectre (Sally Jupiter), for whom Rorshach obviously has some contempt, is dying in the Californian rest resort. Her daughter, Laurie Juspeczyk, followed in her footsteps as Silk Spectre II.

With whom does Dr. Manhattan share quarters?

Laurie Juspeczyk. According to Laurie Juspeczyk, her mother Sally assumed the last name Jupiter to hide her Polish identity. Dinah Drake and Sandra Knight are the alter-egos of Black Canary and Phantom Lady, respectively, two DC comics heroines who reportedly inspired the character of Laurie Juspeczyk.

Which masochistic character dressed up as a super-villain so that he could get beaten up by masked vigilantes?

Captain Carnage. Most of the masked vigilantes didn't take Captain Carnage seriously, and refused to indulge his fantasies. His fate was decided, however, when he tried his act on Rorshach, who promptly dropped him down an elevator shaft. The Screaming Skull was put away at least a dozen times by Nite Owl II before he reformed. According to Dreiberg, he turned to Jesus and became a family man. Phantom is Hollis Mason's dog, and Doc Savage was the hero of a pulp adventure fiction magazine Mason read in his younger years.

In Hollis Mason's book "Under the Hood", what is the saddest thing he can think of?

Wagner's "The Ride of the Valkyries". Mason had worked with his father in Moe Vernon's auto repair shop. Moe Vernon had one day discovered that his chief mechanic had been having "carnal knowledge" of his wife for two years. Vernon had looked comical at the time, wearing an artificial set of breasts, which he had only just used to play a prank on the mailman. "The Ride of the Valkyries" added a dramatic flare, and Vernon's crew had erupted in uncontrollable laughter. The man committed suicide later that night, and Wagner's classic became for Mason the saddest thing he could think of.

After helping out at the auto repair shop, what did Hollis Mason make of himself?

police officer. Mason was 23 when he joined the New York City police force. His time with the force exposed him to the ragtag and bobtail, and undoubtedly contributed to his desire to become something more.

Who was the very first masked hero outside of the comic books, as revealed by Hollis Mason's book, "Under the Hood"?

Hooded Justice. Hooded Justice provided the impetus which compelled Mason to become the first Nite Owl. After reading about his exploits, Mason had determined to become the second masked hero.