Watchmen is set in an alternate 1985 America where superheroes exist and have affected history. Created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, it explores themes of morality, power, and the human condition. The series deconstructs superhero tropes through complex characters like Rorschach and Dr. Manhattan. Its sophisticated narrative structure, including the "Tales of the Black Freighter" comic-within-a-comic, set new standards. TIME Magazine included it as the only graphic novel in their 100 Best Novels list. It won the Hugo Award and remains the most critically acclaimed comic ever published.