Since the debut of the first issue of “Watchmen” in 1986, the realm of superhero comics underwent a significant transformation. Penned by Alan Moore, illustrated by Dave Gibbons, and colored by John Higgins, this series reshaped the way people perceived the genre, dismantling the conventional notion of superheroes through its alternate history narrative that explored the influence of superpowered beings on global events and politics. Forty years later, this story continues to captivate audiences, inspiring prequels, sequels, and adaptations in both animation and live-action formats. The story’s impact – or rather, its underlying idea – is so profound that any tale dealing with superpowered individuals as something beyond selfless protectors for humanity can’t help but be compared to “Watchmen.” Given the passage of time, it’s understandable why each new decade craves its own version of “Watchmen.
As a passionate movie buff diving into the latest graphic novel releases, I must say that “The Power Fantasy,” penned by Kieron Gillen and illustrated by Caspar Wijngaard, has certainly caught my attention. Debuting in 2024 on Image Comics, this masterpiece has garnered some striking comparisons to the iconic “Watchmen.”
Both narratives revolve around a tight-knit ensemble of imperfect superpowered individuals and their role in shaping global events. The delicate balance these characters strike between personal flaws and world-altering abilities creates a sense of impending danger for humanity as a whole. This shared narrative structure has sparked conversations about the similarities between the two works.
However, let me clarify that while “The Power Fantasy” undeniably draws inspiration from “Watchmen,” it is by no means its clone. Instead, it could be argued that it surpasses its predecessor in some aspects, offering a unique and captivating storyline. In essence, “The Power Fantasy” stands on the shoulders of “Watchmen,” but it carves out its own path.
What Was Watchmen About?
In a world where the influence of superheroes has reshaped history beyond recognition, “Watchmen” stands out as a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire countless imitations and adaptations. To truly appreciate this iconic work, let’s remind ourselves of its captivating narrative.
The story unfolds in an alternate universe where the advent of superheroes has significantly altered the trajectory of U.S. (and global) events. The tale begins in 1985, a time when the public’s admiration for these extraordinary beings had waned, leading to their outlawing. The murder of Edward Blake, who was secretly the Comedian – a government-backed costumed hero – triggers an investigation by Rorschach, a masked vigilante. This sets the stage for a complex and thought-provoking journey through a world that’s both familiar and unsettlingly different.
In his investigation, Rorshach contacts his old superhero comrades – Daniel Dreiberg/Nite Owl, Jon Osterman/Doctor Manhattan, Laurie Juspeczyk/Silk Spectre, and Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias – to give them a warning. He suspects that the murder of Blake is linked to a larger plot against costumed heroes. However, each of these heroes have their own troubles: Doctor Manhattan is falsely accused of causing cancer in his loved ones, which leads him to self-exile on Mars; Veidt is nearly killed, Juspeczyk rekindles her relationship with Dreiberg and resumes vigilante activities, and Rorshach uncovers evidence suggesting that Veidt could be behind the plot against the heroes. It turns out that they were right – Veidt has been manipulating events as part of a plan to simulate an alien invasion and restore the popularity of superheroes at the expense of half of New York’s population. He killed Blake when he discovered the plan, and orchestrated various obstacles for the others during their investigation. Unfortunately, the heroes are unable to stop Veidt in time, and the city is destroyed by a squid attack. Although Veidt’s actions were reprehensible, the heroes decide to keep the truth hidden as they believe it would cause more harm than good. Doctor Manhattan then kills Rorschach to ensure silence. The story concludes with Doctor Manhattan stating “nothing ever ends,” and a marginal publication receiving Rorschach’s journal, hinting that the truth may eventually be revealed if someone listens.
The Power Fantasy Has Big Similarities — and Differences
As a film enthusiast, I must admit that The Power Fantasy shares some striking similarities with Watchmen, particularly in its alternate reality setting and the emergence of six powerful individuals shaping history. However, while Watchmen has fully disclosed the extent of superpowers’ influence on global events, The Power Fantasy is still unveiling these intricacies. One of the most shocking revelations so far is that the U.S. government tried to eliminate one of the most powerful individuals, Valentina, by nuking a music festival in New Mexico where she was present. This attack didn’t harm her but led her to self-exile for the safety of others, fostering the belief that she was radioactive.
As the narrative unfolds, we delve deeper into the origins and nature of these superpowers, often referred to as the Atomics or the Nuclear Family. We learn about their unique abilities, how they formed alliances, and how they maintain a delicate balance while attempting to control human actions – a self-proclaimed protection from themselves.
Interestingly, one member of this group, Magus, is revealed to be working with the government following their latest attempt to eliminate another superpower, Heavy. The story continues to unfold, leaving us eager to discover more about these extraordinary individuals and the world they inhabit.
As a fervent admirer, I must clarify that while The Power Fantasy shares some surface resemblances with Watchmen, the two are fundamentally distinct, particularly in their portrayal of familial bonds. Unlike the heroes of Watchmen who remained relatively amicable despite inactivity, the nuclear family members in The Power Fantasy are estranged and mistrustful. Over time, they’ve drifted apart, each guarding secrets and engaging in subtle manipulations within their respective factions. This is a dysfunctional family laden with bitterness and concealed truths, which is troubling given that they consider themselves the protectors of humanity. This unique dynamic sets The Power Fantasy apart, creating an atmosphere of impending doom where one wrong move could lead to catastrophic consequences.
It’s the Humanity of the Superpowers That Makes The Power Fantasy Better
In essence, while “Watchmen” explored the human side of its powerful characters within a hypothetical scenario about living alongside superhumans who hold life and death power over us, “The Power Fantasy” delves deeper into the humanity of these superpowered individuals themselves. At its heart, it’s a story that centers around a troubled family on a destructive path, although the safety of humanity hangs in the balance. While the narrative is influenced by the presence of superpowers and their roles, it’s the interactions between these powerful beings that truly captivate and drive the story forward.
Discovering that these extraordinary individuals with human-like qualities add an unsettling layer to the narrative is quite unnerving. There’s a strong anti-superpower sentiment, causing one of them, Heavy, to establish an extraterrestrial sanctuary which endangers humanity so much they attempt to assassinate him. When efforts are made to dissuade Heavy from retaliating, deeper divisions within the family come to light. These divisions include Magus, who has a tendency to overestimate himself and exploits the rift to collaborate with the government, amassing power beyond his abilities, reminiscent of certain real-world political scenarios in American politics. Meanwhile, Etienne, resembling both Charles Xavier and Doctor Manhattan, is wanted globally for causing the deaths of those involved in Heavy’s attack merely through thought. However, it isn’t his terrifying powers that make him most frightening; instead, it’s the façade he presents even to himself as being moral, focusing on humanity’s well-being. Of all the superpowers we’ve encountered so far, Etienne is the scariest because not only does he manipulate various parties, but his motivations are unclear and he may genuinely believe his own deceptions.
Essentially, while Watchmen delves into a deconstruction of traditional superheroes by exploring their darker sides beyond what we’d expect from characters like Superman, The Power Fantasy poses a more unsettling question: “What if superhumans were essentially the same as us, only without limitations?” This reversal adds complexity and relevance to the narrative because these superpowered beings, in many ways, are a reflection of humanity itself. They provide a platform for exploring the deepest, darkest aspects of human nature, given our inherent complexities, flaws, and often tribalistic tendencies.
The Power Fantasy, penned by Gillen and Wijngaard, stands as a modern-day benchmark in deconstructing superhero narratives, following the footsteps set by the iconic comic Watchmen. While Watchmen was groundbreaking for its serious examination of the world of superheroes, The Power Fantasy takes it a step further. It delves deep into the complexities and dynamics within nuclear families, highlighting their destructive potential even when possessing godlike abilities. This unique exploration of self-destructive tendencies among superpowered individuals offers a fresh perspective on the question “who watches the Watchmen?” The answer, as it turns out, is that they watch themselves. This self-monitoring dynamic may prove to be more perilous than any threat we’ve encountered before, making The Power Fantasy an engaging and thought-provoking read.
The Power Fantasy #6 is on sale now.
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2025-02-23 06:10