Watchmen is JXUwMDM5 twelve-issue comic book limited series created JXUwMDNhJXUwMDFi writer Alan Moore, artist Dave Gibbons, and colourist John Higgins. The series JXUwMDJmJXUwMDE2JXUwMDEy published by DC Comics during 1986 and 1987, and has been subsequently reprinted in collected form.

Moore used the story JXUwMDM5JXUwMDEy a means to reflect contemporary anxieties and JXUwMDJjJXUwMDFi deconstruct the superhero concept. Watchmen JXUwMDJjJXUwMDE1JXUwMDBhJXUwMDBlJXUwMDE2 place in an alternate history United States JXUwMDJmJXUwMDFmJXUwMDBkJXUwMDE3JXUwMDE3 superheroes emerged in the 1940s and 1960s, helping the United States to win the Vietnam War. The country is edging closer to a nuclear war JXUwMDJmJXUwMDFlJXUwMDFkJXUwMDFj the Soviet Union, freelance costumed vigilantes have been outlawed and most costumed superheroes are in retirement or working JXUwMDNlJXUwMDA5JXUwMDFk the government. The story focuses JXUwMDM3JXUwMDAx the personal development and struggles of the protagonists as an investigation into the murder of a government sponsored superhero pulls them JXUwMDM3JXUwMDFhJXUwMDAx of retirement.