30 Days of Scans: Day 3 - Rorschach and Nite Owl

[cyberghostface]

So I wasn't sure who to pick for my "favorite friendship"--I was considering Matt and Foggy, but I didn't have any good scans on me. But it just hit me moments ago--what about Rorschach and Nite Owl II from Watchmen?

Without further ado, three pages from Watchmen #10. I'm willing to bet that most of you are familiar with these two, so I'll let the scans speak for themselves.

Comments

[xammax]

Someone noted that is the only non-violent physical contact Rorschach has the entire book.

It is both touching and sad.

[proteus_lives]

Much motto.

Rorschach is tragic.

[midnightvoyager]

Note Rorschach's smiley face after the handshake.

[thehefner]

I've actually been the Dan in more than one friendship like this. This scene has always resonated with me, but it's become one of my very favorite of the book since then.

[whitesycamore]

There's something really heart-breaking about how Dan tries so hard to do right by Rorschach. He's such a fundamentally decent guy, and fond of owls to boot!

[starwolf_oakley]

I wonder why is it such an "objectivist" character like Rorschach *would* sponge off people. Isn't that against the point of Objectivism.

Of course, in Objectivism, it seems like you have to be some great inventor or groundbreaking artist to have any real value. I don't know how a "regular person" who isn't some great builder fits into the Objectivist world.

[psychopathicus_rex]

I don't know if Rorschach is a literal Objectivist; he's just crazy. It's simply that his madness is very similar in many ways to Objectivism. I'd say it's more like he's an extreme right-winger with a nihilistic world view and a grim determination to carry out his version of justice regardless.

[korvarthefox.livejournal.com]

That may possibly be the point, seeing as Rorschach is mean to to be Alan Moore's deconstruction of Objectivists.

[psychopathicus_rex]

There is something extremely touching about a complete maniac like Rorschach struggling to express the one meaningful human relationship he has. I agree, it's a great scene.

[whitesycamore]

Man, this scene. And then after Rorschach wanders off into the antarctic blizzard no one ever mentions him again. Not even Dan, his supposed friend. Laurie and he just get it on next to Veidt's swiming pool and never once say "hey, I wonder if Rorschach's ok?"

As someone who has struggled with mental illness in the past, Rorschach really resonates with me. I have something of a fear that one day I'll end up like him; not the vigilante part (probably), but the bizarrely paranoid, alienating everyone around you, dieing alone and un-mourned part? Check.