However, in the late 1970s, several comic book writers who were fed up with not being taken seriously sought to change the way people look at comics. They sought to receive the same respect that comic book writers in places like Japan, Belgium, and Italy receive. In the 1980s comic books were becoming darker with more mature storylines that strayed from the simple good guy vs. bad guy plots that American readers were accustomed to.



Perhaps the greatest example of this was Watchmen by writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons. Watchmen told a politically charged story of superheroes in the 1980s who were all too human due to their severe character flaws and very unheroic behavior.

The series is considered by many to be the best comic book series of all time and is a standard read for anyone who has been introduced to the medium. There have been several attempts in the past two decades to produce a film of the book, but unfortunately, they all fell through the roof. It wasn't until 2007, after the release of the film 300 was it announced that director Zak Snyder would be bringing Watchmen to the big screen.

The film's plot concerns an alternate 1985 where superheroes exist, tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union are at an all time high. The vigilante Rorschach (Jackie Earl Hayley) is investigating the murder of the Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), and uncovers a plot to discredit and murder various heroes. Rorschach discovers a far wider ranging conspiracy involving his colleagues' past which could completely change the course of history.

The film has, however, gained some backlash from writer Alan Moore, who has stated that he will not see the film due to the fact that he has been displeased with every other film based on his work and that he does not want any credit in the film, whether it is good or not. However, artist Dave Gibbons has gone on to say that the film appears to be true to the spirit of the original work and that he fully supports the film.