Watchmen is a graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, published in 1986. It is a superhero story set in an alternate history United States where costumed heroes have been outlawed and the country is on the brink of nuclear war. The novel follows a group of former superheroes as they investigate the murder of one of their own and uncover a plot to destroy the world.
Watchmen is known for its complex and layered storytelling, its rich and detailed characterizations, and its use of nonlinear narrative and metafiction. It is a deconstruction of the superhero genre and a commentary on power, justice, and the role of the hero in society. The novel has been widely praised and is considered a classic of graphic literature. It was adapted into a successful film in 2009.