Interpreting Dark Knight Returns and Watchmen
Select one of the following essay topics for your third paper:
A.) Both Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller and Watchmen by Alan Moore depict violent
vigilantes (Batman and Rorschach) resisting the government to execute “badass” justice . Both
stories were also written in the same year (1986) and portray the United States government
similar ways. And though both stories are now over 30 years old, their characters and works
remain hugely influential and popular today. Researching the “Cold War” and analyzing the
artistic and textual details of the characters of Batman and Rorschach, interpret the deeper
meaning of these characters in regards to what they say about the modern U.S. zeitgesit of the
1980s as well as today.
B.) The lead heroes of Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller and Watchmen by Alan Moore are
not only male but stereotypically masculine, even exaggeratively so. Female characters are
present, but their roles are minor. Interpret the deeper meaning of gender in these stories or
perhaps specifically masculinity and its role with and effects on “heroism” in these two works.
C.) Super heroes are often traditionally portrayed as vigilantes who are fighting criminals even as
they themselves break the law. Though older comics often show heroes working alongside law
enforcement, we see a much more hostile relationship between government and super heroes in
the works of Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller and Watchmen by Alan Moore, even to the
point where heroes who are outlawed fight heroes who are government sanctioned. Analyzing
both texts, interpret the deeper meaning of vigiantism in these super hero comics and what it
seems to say about our cultural views of justice, law, and government.
Whichever topic you choose, you must:
● Use both texts of Dark Knight Returns and Wacthmen. Quote both texts extensively as
your main evidence for your interpretation.
● Analyze the two texts in detail–that is, look for deeper connections and meanings behind
the literal characters and stories.
● Ultimately form an interpretive thesis, something bold and insightful (meaning not at all
obvious) that you can nonetheless back up with text and analysis. Your thesis forms a
unified, cohesive claim that your body paragraphs proceed to describe, explain, and
support in depth. The thesis ideally adds your opinion, not just a “theme.”● Use and quote at least one outside source other than Miller and Moore. That source can
be one of the posted articles on Canvas from weeks 9 through 11. Whatever the source is,
it should provide helpful ideas that inform your interpretation. You may use no more than
three different sources, though, other than Miller and Moore. You must include a Works
Cited page with your final draft.
You will upload your final essay as a word or pdf file. No late papers will be accepted for
credit. Late or missing papers receive zero points. This essay is worth up to 200 possible points.
Instead of a traditional classroom meeting in week 11 or peer review session during week 12, I
will hold conferences in the classroom during regularly scheduled class time. See details from
class during week 10 about specific days and times.
