With Watchmen becoming a smash critical hit on HBO, it's time to look back at the 10 character quotes from acclaimed writer Alan Moore that reveal his life's philosophy. The line between creators and creation sometimes gets a little blurry especially if the themes within the text are a reflection of an author's social commentary. Known for his masterworks, such as From Hell and his run on Swamp Thing, Moore has shared his personal insights to readers whether they recognize it or not. Let's dig into the context and find out what Moore wants to say through his own characters.

Born in the 1950s, Moore comes from a working-class family in Northhampton, the East Midlands of England. As a child, the Watchmen writer grew up in a poverty-ridden area struck with high levels of illiteracy. As a struggling British writer, Moore had been creating his own poetry and essays in alternative fanzines before working on 2000 AD and Warrior. Moore's run on Swamp Thing would bring him mainstream American success as he dived into experimental stories about horror and fantasy. Moore's reputation with Watchmen would forever be cemented in history during 1986.

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10 10. Rorschach

Rorshach Watchmen

In the Watchmen, the hardened vigilante known as Rorschach states, "The city is afraid of me. I have seen its true face. The streets are extended gutters and the gutters are full of blood, and when the drains finally scab over, all the vermin will drown." Moore extended his cynical and pessimistic point-of-view through Walter Joseph Kovacs. Kovas is supposed to be a satirical take on Batman and The Punisher. Rorschach has become disgruntled and has lost his faith in humanity, allowing himself to fall deep into depression.

9 9. Frederick Abberline

Cover art of From Hell

From the serial killer comic, From Hell, Inspector Frederick Abberline reveals the heavy burden of keeping the truth hidden after solving the Jack the Ripper case, "Because we didn't want our throats cut. Because we didn't our lights hung over our shoulders. Give us a hand up these steps, would yer?"

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Because the Jack the Ripper murders have remain unsolved in history, Moore analyzes how good people do nothing because there are outside forces twisting their decisions. Even though we may lose, we have to continue our lives and push forward over the next obstacle.

8 8. Doctor Manhattan

From Watchmen, the god-like Doctor Manhattan changes his mood after witnessing Silk Spectre's  life story, "It was you, only you, that emerged. To distill so specific a form from that chaos of improbability, like turning air to gold…that is the crowning unlikelihood. The thermo-dynamic miracle.” While Rorschach lost his faith in humanity, Doctor Manhattan regained his through the help of Laurie. You have two different spectrums of Alan Moore; the optimist versus the pessimist. Like most indecisive people, Doctor Manhattan contemplates too much before finally getting involved.

7 7. William Gull

from-hell

In From Hell, the high-ranking Freemason, Sir William Gull, attempts to justify himself for committing the most heinous murders in history, "I had a heart stroke. Did I tell you that. It caused Aphasia. A fluxion of the brain's right side that yields hallucinations. Netley, I saw God. I knelt before him. And he told me what to do."

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Through Gull's confession as Jack the Ripper, Moore examines his complicated views towards religion, seeking answers as to why people do horrible things to each other. Moore attempts to find reason where there might not be any.

6 6. Edward Hyde

hyde-league-of-extraordinary-gentlemen-dc-comics

In the second volume of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, the hideous and monstrous Edward Hyde is about to sacrifice himself in order to save the world. Before taking off towards the intense battle against the alien invaders, Hyde tells Mina Murray, "And end up looking rather noble, when all I really want is to slaughter something, eh? Miss Murray, before I go, would you allow me the honor of a kiss?" As the two kiss, Moore tries to find a characteristic, a good quality, that is honorable with the misunderstood monster.

5 5. Swamp Thing

In issue #20 of Saga of the Swamp Thing, the Protector of the Green states,"Perhaps there was once a world...we could have belonged to. Maybe somewhere in Europe, back in the fifteenth century, the world was full of shadows then, full of monsters. Not any more."

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In his sympathetic portrayal of the monster, Moore examines what it means to be the outsider, who has been cast aside and can longer return to their previous home. Because he is neither human, nor plant, Swamp Thing does not fit in anywhere, searching for sanctuary that may not even exist.

4 4. Jason Woodrue

In the Saga of the Swamp Thing, Jason Woodrue, also known as Flornic Man, describes the hideous creature, "He isn't Alec Holland. He never will be Alec Holland. He never was Alec Holland. He's just a ghost. A ghost dressed in weeds." Moore examines what it means to be human as Swamp Thing discovers he is not the host of the fallen scientist, Alec Holland. Woodrue explains how Swamp Thing absorbed Alec's memories and knowledge, which made the plant monster think he was human at first. Human nature is always seeking its true purpose.

3 3. John Constantine

In Swamp Thing #37,  John Constantine, the occult detective, makes his introduction and history is made as he simply says, "I'm a nasty piece of work, chief. Ask anybody." With the creation of Constantine, Moore doesn't shy away with a streetwise character, who doesn't apologize for who he is or what he says. Constantine would rather let people understand they will be used by him as he refuses to get close to anyone. Moore imagined Constantine as someone who physically resembled the rock star known as Sting and carried his own cool attitude.

2 2. Mongul

In Superman Annual #11, in "For The Man Who Has Everything," the alien conqueror known as Mongul has trapped the Man of Steel in a realistic dream using the Black Mercy. While holding Superman's mind captive, Mongul introduces himself to Batman and Wonder Woman, "I know, for example, that your society makes distinctions on a basis of gender and age. Perhaps, then, you could advise me, which of you would it be polite to kill first?" Through the antagonist, Moore has fun poking at societal norms, masquerading political correctness for maliciousness.

1 1. Batman

In The Killing Joke, as a reference to Captain Ahab and Moby Dick, the Dark Knight explains his relationship with Joker, "I came to talk. I've been thinking lately. About you and me. About what's going to happen to us, in the end. We're going to kill each other, aren't we?" Moore believes death is inevitable and no matter how hard anyone tries, life always has an ending. Like the rest of humanity, Batman is afraid to meet his own demise, but has put a face to the Grim Reaper. Batman attempts to negotiate with Death to forestall his endgame.

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