Rorschach

Figure 1. The film's take on Rorschach is nearly identical to the graphic novel's.

Rorschach (aka Walter Kovacs) is easily one of the more (in)famous characters from Alan Moore’s world.  And Dave Gibbons’s visual take on him has become iconic to many comic fans.  Figure 1 demonstrates the film’s desire to be as faithful to his character design as the medium allows.  The look clearly seems to draw from older comics characters like The Spirit and Dick Tracy.  He wears the uniform of the old fashioned detective, right down to the trenchcoat and fedora.  Of course, the suit is also the uniform of the well-spoken and well-connected man.  Wrapped into the visual of a pinstripe suit and trenchcoat is a feeling of respectability, even success. And Rorschach’s tactics are to be streetwise and fearless — he will confront his adversaries head-on without hesitation.

In short, much of the character’s visual symbolism is designed to harken towards the old-fashioned.  And his character reflects this old-fashioned appeal.  Alan Moore’s vision of 1985 is visceral and deeply troubling.  New York’s streets are dirty, and as Rorschach writes in his journal in Watchmen’s opening pages:  “This city is afraid of me.  I have seen its true face” (I.1).  He continues with a statement that immediately sets the mood for the story.  Referring to New York’s inhabitants as “vermin”, he states:

The accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout “SAVE US!” …

…And I’ll look down and whisper “no.”  (I.1) [click to continue…]

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