What Happens When Heroes Break the Rules? The Watchmen Story

In Watchmen, superheroes used to save the day, but now they’re banned from fighting crime. One of them, Rorschach, uncovers a dangerous secret that could change the world forever. As Rorschach tries to figure out who’s behind the mystery, the other retired heroes must decide if they should return and stop the crisis or stay out of it.

A popular fan theory is that Dr. Manhattan, the powerful hero who can manipulate time and space, represents the idea of a god-like being losing touch with humanity. What if, instead of saving the world, Dr. Manhattan is actually making things worse by not caring about the consequences?

One key moment is when Rorschach refuses to let go of the truth, even if it means the end of the world. His belief in what’s right, no matter the cost, is a turning point in the story.

Imagine an alternate ending where Rorschach’s secret is revealed in a different way, or maybe a prequel that shows how the heroes became who they are, diving deeper into their past lives and the events that shaped their decisions. What would happen if they didn’t retire? Would the world be different?