Watchmen Chapter 1 Blu-ray Review: Checking the Time on the Doomsday Clock

Watchmen Chapter 1 is a very faithful adaptation of the first six comics in the twelve-issue Watchmen (1986 – 1987) comics series written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons. Brandon Vietti directs the new adaptation written by J. Michael Straczynski.

It’s 1985, and a bright yellow, blood-stained smiley-face pin lies on the sidewalk of a grim and rainy New York City. It is an iconic shot, and one that will be familiar to fans. Rorschach (Titus Welliver) is a superhero even though superheroes have been outlawed in America, having been deemed far too dangerous to roam the streets freely. He is investigating the murder of a man who was thrown through his apartment building window and fell many floors to the street below. 

With a little detective work, Rorschach realizes the dead body belongs to another former superhero, Comedian (Rick D. Wasserman). Believing that some dark force is at work killing former superheroes, Rorschach begins a comprehensive investigation while visiting his former colleagues to give them a proper warning. Those who are familiar with the story will not be surprised by any of the action in this 90-minute first half of the adaptation; however, those who are unfamiliar with the story should be very pleased with Watchmen Chapter 1 and its satisfying twists and turns.

The reason Watchmen works is because of characterization and story. Rorschach and Dr. Manhattan (basically a blue, nude god) are both incredibly layered and complex characters. Rorshach’s insistence in following the rule of law and Dr. Manhattan’s struggles to find his stolen humanity at the same time as he simply does not care about his humanity are fascinating traits that add to limitless depth.

The other great attraction is the plot, especially that it takes place in an alternate history. What if nobody had caught Nixon’s henchmen in the Watergate Hotel? What if there was no debate over whether or not the United States won the Vietnam War? But, there are also more dire questions. What if the United States and the Soviet Union were still at each other’s throats? And what if the nuclear destruction Doomsday Clock was mere seconds from the ultimate destruction?

So much of the plot is covered in this adaptation (despite the missing supplemental fictional documents at the end of each comic book) that the creation often feels like a one-for-one reproduction of the comic book. The artwork is also a perfect copy of the original drawings by illustrator Dave Gibbons. The special feature titled “The Art of Adaptation: Introducing the Story” goes into detail about how original scans were transferred into “moving” animation. 

Special Features:

• Dave Gibbons and Watchmen: Worldbuilding – Fascinating and informative nine-minute documentary. Includes interviews with and about original Watchmen illustrator Dave Gibbons.
• The Art of Adaptation: Introducing the Story – Ten-minute documentary focused on the challenges involved when moving from comic book illustrations to modern animation.

Watchmen Chapter 1 is a very faithful adaptation of the first six books of the twelve-issue Watchmen limited series. This is not necessarily a bad thing. New life is given to a story almost 40 years old now. The animation is definitely fresher, the colors more interesting and vibrant, and the dialogue is crisper with A-list voiceovers. Watchmen Chapter 1 is the first half of what promises to be a stellar two-part adaptation.