Whats the equivalent now of impending nuclear war? Whats creating the big cultural anxiety? For me, its the anxiety of a reckoning, Lindelof said in an interview with The New York Times. The identification of white supremacy as a bad guy in a superhero comic book that could not be defeatedthe Klan wears masks, but why are its members never the villains in a superhero story? Those ideas felt like natural fits for Watchmen. Moores opus was about the extent to which people place their trust in costumed avengers and asked the age-old question of who watches the watchmen. Lindelofs Watchmen takes the comics most potent symbolthe maskand shows how it can protect not only superheroes, but also the flawed institutions Americans rely on.
The show begins with a depiction of the Tulsa, Oklahoma, massacre of 1921, in which a white mob ransacked and destroyed the vibrant Black Wall Street neighborhood of Greenwood, dropping firebombs from planes and murdering hundreds. Ta-Nehisi Coates wrote about Tulsa in his Atlantic piece The Case for Reparations, which Lindelof said served as an inspiration for the show. As the horror of Tulsa rages on-screen, men in Klan outfits parade around shooting at peoplea chilling, if detached, vision of supervillainy.
In delving into Americas real history of racist violence, HBOs Watchmen initially seems a far cry from Moores original work. The latter is steeped in its alternative reality, which unfolds through the personal recollections of its core cast of superheroesRorschach, Doctor Manhattan, Nite Owl, Silk Spectre, Ozymandias, and the Comedian. But the first scenes of Watchmen do slyly mix historical fact with comic-book lore, as ScreenCrushs Matt Singer identified. In the Tulsa sequence, viewers see two black parents trying to save their child from danger, arranging to have him smuggled out of the city as it explodes around him. The scene is reminiscent of Supermans famous origin storyexcept the boy in Watchmen isnt eventually rescued by a kindly couple and must instead make it on his own.
Much like that sequence, Lindelofs show is a marriage of pulpy mythmaking and grim reality, telling a weighty story under the guise of mass-market entertainment. Thats long been Moores specialty: His Watchmen chronicled the seedy truths and vicious nihilism that often underlie superheroism, upending the cheerful idealism of old-fashioned comic books. The first issue features the creation of the Minutemen, a 1940s assemblage of costumed do-gooders formed as part of a publicity stunt. But their squeaky-clean, patriotic image is just a facade: After the group poses for press pictures, one of the members, the sardonic Comedian, attempts to rape another, the Silk Spectrea crime for which he goes unpunished.
Another attempt to create a team of heroes fails before it even begins: Years later, in 1966, the aged leader of the Minutemen, the polished Captain Metropolis, tries to start a new group called the Crimebusters. Metropolis, a throwback hero who wants to fight hippie-era social ills such as promiscuity, drugs, [and] campus subversion, makes a rah-rah pitch but is thwarted by the Comedian, who sets his presentation on fire. Whats going down in this world, you got no idea, the Comedian scoffs. It doesnt matter squat because inside 30 years the nukes are gonna be flying like maybugs. The crowd disperses, with a horrified Captain Metropolis shouting after them: Somebody has to do it, dont you see? Somebody has to save the world.
Read the original here:
The Brave New World of HBOs Watchmen - The Atlantic
- Nihilism | Definition of Nihilism by Merriam-Webster [Last Updated On: January 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 20th, 2016]
- Nihilism | Define Nihilism at Dictionary.com [Last Updated On: January 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 20th, 2016]
- Nihilism | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy [Last Updated On: January 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 20th, 2016]
- Nihilism - Philosophy - AllAboutPhilosophy.org [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2016]
- Nihilism | Define Nihilism at Dictionary.com [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2016]
- Nihilism | Definition of Nihilism by Merriam-Webster [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2016]
- Nihilism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2016]
- nihilism | philosophy | Britannica.com [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2016]
- Urban Dictionary: Nihilism [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2016]
- nihilism | philosophy | Britannica.com [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2016]
- What is Nihilism? | CounterOrder.com [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2016]
- Nihilist | Define Nihilist at Dictionary.com [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2016]
- CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Nihilism - New Advent [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2016]
- Nihilist | Define Nihilist at Dictionary.com [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2016]
- What is Nihilism? | CounterOrder.com [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2016]
- en.wikipedia.org [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2016]
- Nihilism - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: March 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 20th, 2016]
- Nihilism - Conservapedia [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2016]
- Nihilism - RationalWiki [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2016]
- Nihilism Wikipedia [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2016]
- [ American Nihilist Underground Society (ANUS) :: Nihilism ... [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2016]
- Existential nihilism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2016]
- What is nihilism? - Bible Questions Answered [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2016]
- Nietzsche, Nihilism, Nihilists, & Nihilistic Philosophy [Last Updated On: June 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2016]
- Nietzsche, Nihilism, Nihilists, & Nihilistic Philosophy [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Nihilism | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- Moral nihilism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2016]
- Quotes About Nihilism (162 quotes) [Last Updated On: July 3rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 3rd, 2016]
- What is Nihilism? Nihilism, Nihilists, and Nihilistic Philosophy [Last Updated On: July 3rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 3rd, 2016]
- Nihilism Nihilism [Last Updated On: July 18th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 18th, 2016]
- What Is Nihilism? History, Profile, Philosophy and Philosophers [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2016]
- Religion and Nihilism - The African Perspective Magazine [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2016]
- Urban Dictionary: nihilist [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2016]
- Nihilism - By Branch / Doctrine - The Basics of Philosophy [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2016]
- Paradox of nihilism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2016]
- What is nihilism? - gotquestions.org [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2016]
- Nihilism | Meaningness [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2016]
- Nietzsches Analysis of Nihilism | The World Is On Fire [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2016]
- Therapeutic nihilism - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: December 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 4th, 2016]
- Historical Nihilism | CounterOrder.com [Last Updated On: December 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 4th, 2016]
- Nihilist movement - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: December 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 22nd, 2016]
- Moral nihilism - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2017]
- The boredom of nihilism - The Tablet [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Donald Trump and the Uses of the Past - New Republic [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- The Chinese Ford Raptor Website Is Profound And Crazy At The Same Time - Jalopnik [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Brendan Kelly on politics, nihilism, and the benefit of intimate shows - BeatRoute Magazine [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Nihilism Manticore Press [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Nihilist KMOX Reporter Discusses Existential Horror of February in St. Louis - Riverfront Times (blog) [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Why the White House's nihilism is so troubling - Los Angeles Times [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Teen Nihilism Erupts in LA Premiere of Fierce, Funny PUNK ROCK by Simon Stephens - Broadway World [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Faking It: The Rise of Political Nihilism - Study Breaks Magazine - Study Breaks [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Descartes, Nihilist - First Things (blog) [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Nihilism @ American Nihilist Underground Society (ANUS) [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Still Waking Up - First Things (blog) [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Pissed Jeans Why Love Now review: 'nihilism and cynicism' - Evening Standard [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Editorial | By any means necessary including dancehall - Jamaica Gleaner [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- The fight between Nigel Farage and Douglas Carswell is the definition of political nihilism - The Independent [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Eye in the Sky: Where Nihilism and Hegemony Coincide - Antiwar.com (blog) [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- NieR: Automata Starts With Nihilism and Futility at the Installation Screen - Geek [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- I used to love the working-class nihilism of Sleaford Mods no longer - Spectator.co.uk [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2017]
- Mereological nihilism - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- Help! We have Fallen and Can't Escape the Current Age of Anger! - City Watch [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- Carol Muffett: Federal Budget Plan is a testament to the recklessness, nihilism, and gross incompetence of this ... - YubaNet [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2017]
- Patterns that Lead to Suffering - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2017]
- On Health Care, The House Freedom Caucus Declares War Against Conservatism - Forbes [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2017]
- Photo Flash: Teen Nihilism Erupts in L.A. Premiere of PUNK ROCK ... - Broadway World [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2017]
- Nihilism - Encyclopedia Dramatica [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2017]
- Three Steps Past Galen the Promise of a Young Century - InsideSources [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2017]
- Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman review nice dramatic narratives, but where's the nihilism? - The Guardian [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2017]
- What Is Nihilism? History, Profile, Philosophy and ... [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2017]
- Why Brexit Is Best for Britain: The Left-Wing Case - New York Times [Last Updated On: March 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 31st, 2017]
- Existential Nihilism & Atheism... [Last Updated On: March 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 31st, 2017]
- The President, The Freedom Caucus And The Democrats46:57 - WBUR [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2017]
- Review: 'T2 Trainspotting' relies on nostalgia from 1996 classic, but ... - Omaha World-Herald [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2017]
- We're all political nihilists now - Washington Post [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2017]
- Occupy Wall Street: Nihilism And Communism - The Liberty Conservative [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2017]
- Love, Western Nihilism and Revolutionary Optimism | Global ... - Center for Research on Globalization [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2017]
- What Colony Gets Right About Living in an Apocalypse - Gizmodo [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2017]
- Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Four Big Critiques - China Digital Times [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2017]
- Love, Western Nihilism and Revolutionary Optimism | Dissident Voice - Dissident Voice [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2017]