Doctor Manhattan Sucks

*Originally published on 9/21/09


I decided to read Watchmen again. As one would expect, it was quite enjoyable. I still, however, hate Dr. Manhattan. I get what Moore was going for, but the character is a fraud. For those who haven't read the graphic novel, Dr. Manhattan was a scientist who got exposed to a Tachyon pulse that converted him into pure energy. Now he has the power to alter matter and perceives time in a very bizarre way. For all intents and purposes, he's a god.

This is just background info, so I don't really feel the need to post a spoiler warning, though while I'm on the topic there will be a few so just be aware of that as you read this. One of the major character traits of Dr. Manhattan is his growing distance from humanity. As the book progresses you can tell that he's less and less interested in what mankind has to offer.

There's a point where the Comedian (real name Edward Blake) shoots a pregnant woman and Manhattan just stands there. Blake even points out that Manhattan just stood there and did nothing.

It eventually reaches a point where Manhattan decides to just abandon Earth and go to Mars. This makes a modicum of sense as he has just been publicly humiliated and his relationship was in shambles.

This would be fine, except for the fact that he takes on this "holier than thou" attitude. He goes on and on about how human life is meaningless and unimpressive. He looks down on mankind for not making a difference, yet he, with all of his power goes to a desolate planet and plays in the dirt.

I'm dead serious, he plays in the dirt. To paraphrase, Dr. Manhattan says, "Human life is insignificant. There is nothing too impressive, oooooh sand!!! WOOOOW! Look at the sand, and rocks! Wow! Rocks are amazing!" It makes no sense whatsoever. It's obtuse is what it is. For a so called "god" he's acting like a five year old.

How can you dismiss a whole planet of living creatures and be amazed by a canyon? Canyons can be impressive, but you'd think such a high being would have some perspective.

Not only does Dr. Manhattan come off like a moron, but he's a hypocrite. He has the ability to affect great change and yet doesn't utilize it instead, choosing to use his powers to build himself a giant sand castle and put a smiley face on the surface of the planet. Wow, that's impressive. Clearly, we humans don't have the potential to accomplish the same great deeds he has, what with our lowly perception of time and inability to roam around aimlessly and look at stuff. Yes, Dr. Manhattan really is a superior being. Hopefully you all caught the sarcasm in the last few sentences.

When looked at closely, Dr. Manhattan is, in fact, an inferior being. We've accomplished more with less. Even the contributions he lends only accelerated progress as opposed to giving us something we would've never figured out on our own. He's such a putz.

I guess I can't complain too much, his origin sequence in the movie was mind boggling.