Series

Watchmen (1986)

DC Comics •

1986 - 1987

•

5.0 (1)

Description

Watchmen is a 12-issue limited series created by writer Alan Moore, artist Dave Gibbons, and colorist John Higgins. Published by DC Comics from September 1986 to October 1987, the series is set in an alternate history where costumed heroes emerged in the 1940s and significantly altered world events, including the United States winning the Vietnam War.

The story begins with the murder investigation of a former government-sanctioned superhero, led by the vigilante Rorschach, who believes it is part of a larger conspiracy targeting retired heroes. The narrative examines two generations of masked heroes, from the original 1940s Minutemen to the 1960s-80s Watchmen, exploring themes of power, morality, and the human cost of heroism during the Cold War era.

Watchmen is widely regarded as a landmark work in the medium, deconstructing the superhero genre through complex storytelling and sophisticated visual narrative. It remains the only graphic novel to win a Hugo Award and was named one of Time magazine's 100 best English-language novels from 1923 to 2005. The series was collected as a trade paperback in 1987 and has remained continuously in print.

Series Details

Title

Watchmen

Publisher

DC Comics

Type

Limited Series

Status

Completed

Run

1986 - 1987

Issues Count

Awards

Squiddy Award - Eighties Awards - Favorite Limited Series, Harvey Award - Best Continuing or Limited Series (1988), Eisner Awards - Best Finite Series (1988), Harvey Award - Best Graphic Album (1988), Hugo Award - Other Forms (1988), Harvey Award - Special Award for Excellence in Production (1988), Squiddy Award - Favorite Limited Series (1987), Kirby Award - Best New Series (1987), Comics Buyers Guide Fan Awards - Favorite Direct-Sales Only Title (Phil Seuling Award) (1986)

Genre

Superhero

Format

Standard

Original Language

English

Language

English

Creators

Alan Moore

Writer

Barbara Randall Kesel

Editor

Dave Gibbons

Artist, Penciller, Inker, Letterer, Cover Artist

Dick Giordano

Editor, Other

Joe Orlando

Penciller, Inker

John Higgins

Colorist

Len Wein

Editor

Todd Klein

Letterer

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History

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Availability

Read on DC Universe Infinite

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Issues

At Midnight, All The Agents...

Watchmen (1986)

Aug 31, 1986

★ 5.0

Absent Friends

Watchmen (1986)

Jul 03, 1986

The Judge of All The Earth

Watchmen (1986)

Oct 31, 1986

Watchmaker

Watchmen (1986)

Sep 04, 1986

Fearful Symmetry

Watchmen (1986)

Oct 02, 1986

The Abyss Gazes Also

Watchmen (1986)

Nov 06, 1986

A Brother to Dragons

Watchmen (1986)

Dec 04, 1986

Old Ghosts

Watchmen (1986)

Jan 02, 1987

The Darkness of Mere Being

Watchmen (1986)

Apr 30, 1987

#10

Two Riders Were Approaching...

Watchmen (1986)

Jun 30, 1987

#11

Look On My Works, Ye Mighty...

Watchmen (1986)

Jul 31, 1987

#12

A Stronger Loving World

Watchmen (1986)

Sep 30, 1987

Lists

Cover from Essential Reading Orders for New Comic Readers

Essential Reading Orders for New Comic Readers

Ranked

dangioffre Staff

Essential Reading Orders for New Comic Readers is a curated starting point for anyone new to comics who wants great stories without getting lost in decades of continuity. This list focuses on landmark series and self-contained runs that are easy to jump into, widely acclaimed, and representative of what makes comics special across different publishers and styles. Each entry stands on its own while also helping new readers build confidence, discover their tastes, and decide where to go next without feeling overwhelmed.

Series