Watchmen
DC · 1988 · 1 issue
About the series
A single, monumental graphic novel from DC, Watchmen (1988–present) redefined the superhero genre by grounding its costumed heroes in a gritty, alternate-history Cold War reality. Written by Alan Moore with intricate, nine-panel-grid artwork by Dave Gibbons, the series deconstructs the very idea of heroism through a murder mystery among retired, psychologically complex vigilantes. Its influence on comics storytelling and the medium's literary ambitions remains unmatched, making it an essential touchstone for understanding the modern era of the art form.