The recently released animated movie adaptation of Watchmen reflects a strict adherence to its source material, by seamlessly transforming the iconic panels of the graphic novel into animated scenes, capturing the characterization, key moments, and dialogue perfectly. The considerable length of the twelve-issue graphic novel mini series resulted in the adaptation being divided into two parts, with the first half of the graphic novel acting as the foundation, Watchmen: Chapter 1. Given how popular the graphic novel series is, and the fact that the majority of the fans are already acquainted with the cinematic adaptation of Watchmen by director Zack Snyder, the narrative of the second part of the animated movie is no mystery. Despite that being the case, surely there are viewers who are getting into the lore for the first time with the animated movie adaptation, and to help them speculate about what’s coming we will mention the plot points which will shape up as major story arcs in Chapter 2.
Spoilers Ahead
Who Killed The Comedian?
The central mystery of the first part of the Watchmen animated movie duology stems from the brutal murder of the rugged, sadistic, amoral vigilante – Comedian, a former member of two major teams of crimefighters – Minutemen and Crimebusters. Blake’s death was no random event, as later on it was followed by his comrade Dr. Manhattan’s disappearance from earth due to a planned interview triggering his insecurities, and a failed assassination attempt on fellow Crimebusters member Adrian Veidt. As Rorschach had deduced from his investigation, someone is actively targeting the caped heroes – and the identity of the perpetrator remains unknown so far. Comedian’s troubling past as a killer stooge of the United States government might have resulted in him being a target for the people he had wronged in the past, or it might be someone from his acquaintances as well. After all, Comedian was largely disliked by everyone, and Rorschach had even put the first Nite Owl, Hollis Mason on the possible suspect list as his murderer. Whoever the real perp might be, they had a larger plan in mind, and Comedian was merely a pawn in that context – which will be highlighted in the second chapter.Â
What Happened On The Island?
As Rorschach tried to pry out information about the murder mystery from Moloch, the former villain had confessed that months before his untimely demise, Comedian had arrived at Moloch’s home in a delirious state, and seemed petrified after witnessing something pretty horrible. Given what a degenerate of a character the Comedian was, who didn’t show the slightest aversion to killing children during wars and treating others with impunity, the fact that something nefarious exists that rattled even his cage, raises speculations. Blake had mentioned about an island, where scientists, artists and writers had gathered for a specific purpose, and as Blake became aware of said purpose, he was frightened to his core. Does the situation involve any form of clandestine project created by the government in the face of an imminent nuclear apocalypse? The first part doesn’t provide the answers, but what we are quite certain of is that peeping into the wrong window had cost Blake his life at the end.Â
Will Dr. Manhattan Return To Earth?
One of the most important events from the first chapter was Dr. Manhattan’s abandonment of earth – resulting from his growing disenchantment with human affairs, and broken relationship with his girlfriend Laurie. However, sending Dr. Manhattan away was a carefully planned event, as the interview which triggered his meltdown was staged to evoke such a reaction in the first place. Whoever benefits the most in Dr. Manhattan’s absence from Earth, and in this context from the United States, might be the real culprit. There might be an involvement of the Russians, who had to stay put for so long thanks to Osterman’s godly powers shielding the States all the time – and now with the strongest weapon of their rival being absent, the Russians can dare to gain power after all.
Global Nuclear Warfare and the Psyche of the Characters
Lastly, with the world teetering on the verge of a nuclear apocalypse, Dr. Manhattan’s absence can prove more detrimental than ever in the long run. Throughout the first chapter, the conflict between two global superpowers seems to grow fiercer by the day, and there seems to be no way of escaping an inevitable war, which will plunge the world into darkness, if it isn’t there already. Can the caped crusaders stop the impending doom, or are they truly as irrelevant as the Comedian had surmised? The second chapter will answer these questions by concluding the storyline.
Additionally, with the broader narrative in the background, a closer look at the personal motivations, perspectives, and inner workings of the key characters will be of seminal importance to both assess the stakes and realize the underlying theme of the narrative as a whole. Rorschach’s deranged moral absolutism, Ozymandias’ consequentialist mentality, and Nite Owl II’s subjective worldview will be highlighted much more in Watchmen: Chapter 2, and their worldview will be the key to getting to the bottom of the existing crisis.
