Throughout the 2010s, comic book adaptations became a defining force in popular culture, but there was hesitation to touch a masterpiece as impactful as Alan Moore's legendary graphic novel Watchmen. Selected by TIME as one of the greatest novels of the 20th century, Watchmen flipped the superhero narrative on its head, intertwining the history of caped saviors with American history. This revealed a nightmarish era, where a vigilant state stood on the brink of war with the Soviet Union and Richard Nixon was a president poised to enter a third term. Instead of continuing the canon established in 1985, Damon Lindelof chose to create HBO's Watchmen as a spiritual successor, opting not to reflect the original classic's full reality. As a result, HBO's boldest sci-fi series to date emerged, which also snagged Emmy Awards for comic book adaptations for the first time.

The biggest issue with the 2009 film Watchmen, directed by Zack Snyder, was its overwhelming fascination with superhero style, which led to the omission of Moore's biting critique of what they represented. Since Moore used Watchmen to take a stand against nuclear weapons, authoritarianism, and police brutality, Lindelof updated the HBO series to reflect contemporary issues, including America's history of political corruption and white supremacy. While it connects surprisingly well with the original text, Watchmen also serves as a sharp declaration that has unfortunately become even more relevant since its initial publication.

Instead of starting with a nostalgic pull, Watchmen introduces new characters awakening in a modern world devastated by the original story's catastrophic events. Here, the superhero known as Ozymandias, Adrian Veidt (Jeremy Irons), has initiated a devastating squid attack on New York City to prevent nuclear war. The new hero, Angela Abar (Regina King), is a member of the police force who conceals her identity as coordinated attacks are launched by white supremacists against police officers in their homes. Although Angela is aware of the events that occurred in the original Watchmen, she continues to live her own life with her husband Cal (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II). Through Angela's exploration of her own ancestry, Watchmen succeeds in questioning where Moore's characters left off and understanding their roles in an increasingly layered new society.

What is even more impressive than the management of Watchmen's comic book mythology is the series' legitimate informative quality regarding American history. The show highlights the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, where a racist mob destroyed "Black Wall Street," erasing a significant part of history. This is a topic rarely mentioned within the American education system, particularly in Southern states with a seriously distorted curriculum regarding how the past is taught. The event is not only examined openly and disturbingly in Watchmen but is also intricately woven into the plot and connected to one of the most famous and mysterious characters. Since superhero films often begin with a moment of tragedy that characters must overcome, Watchmen addresses the real concerns of America today.