Theology, Religion, and Watchmen

Matthew Brake and this collection’s contributors read Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ comic book series Watchmen from a religious and theological perspective.The chapters herein excavate the religious influence, symbolism, and narratives embedded within the Watchmen graphic novel (1986-7), the prequel Before Watchmen series (2012), DC: Rebirth (2016), Doomsday Clock (2017-19), the HBO series (2019), and the Rorschach (2020-1) comic series. While religion is not necessarily a central theme of the original series, the essays herein reveal its clear impact on the Watchmen universe, traversing subjects including theodicy, monster theory, conspiracy theory, and the ethics of superhero culture. Organized chronologically by the release of its primary artifact, each chapter constructs a tapestry of evolving conceptions of faith and religion within Watchmen. Brake and the collection’s contributors affirm how Christian, Jewish, and esoteric beliefs continue to inform secular media and popular culture. Tracing these religious and theological subjects within the Watchmen series illuminates how this group of "vigilantes" open up important conversations surrounding morals, ethics, and faith.