The older we get, the more relatable Doctor Manhattan becomes. It’s not about the blue skin, the nudity, or the godlike powers (though some days, omnipotence sounds appealing). It’s about that powerful scene in Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ seminal Watchmen where Jon Osterman, now Doctor Manhattan, chooses solitude on Mars over the complexities of humanity. Like many, the allure of escaping earthly troubles for the quiet of Mars is sometimes strong.
While Doctor Manhattan’s reasons for Martian exile differ from everyday frustrations, understanding his motivations is key to grasping his character. The common interpretation is detachment – a being so powerful he’s outgrown human concerns. However, recent viewings of Watchmen Chapter 1, particularly the animated adaptation, offer a fresh perspective on this pivotal moment.
The story of Watchmen constantly evolves with each retelling, offering new layers to this DC classic. Jon Osterman’s infamous television interview, a scene etched in comic book panels, Zack Snyder’s 2009 film, and now animation, provides a recurring focal point. Each version, while depicting the same event, subtly shifts in pacing and performance, inviting viewers to re-examine a scene familiar for decades and reconsider Doctor Manhattan’s journey from man to god.
Doctor Manhattan during his televised interview, a critical moment in understanding his detachment and the birth of his decision to leave Earth.
The animated Watchmen Chapter 1 rendition of the interview struck a different chord. Perhaps the animation’s brisk pace heightened the scene’s intensity, prompting a re-evaluation of Doctor Manhattan’s Martian departure. It sparked a renewed contemplation of Jon Osterman’s character arc, particularly his transformation – the very Birth Of Doctor Manhattan – and the emotional core beneath his seemingly detached exterior. This is a testament to the strength of DC’s animated adaptations, offering fresh lenses through which to view iconic narratives.
For those unfamiliar, Dr. Jon Osterman was a nuclear physicist tragically transformed into Doctor Manhattan, an entity of unimaginable power. Initially, he served as a superhero, later becoming a government operative when masked vigilantes were outlawed. Throughout Watchmen Chapter 1, we witness Jon’s growing estrangement from humanity. He immerses himself in scientific pursuits, neglecting his relationship with Laurie Juspeczyk, appearing indifferent to human drama. It’s easy to interpret his Mars exodus as a final, emotionless severing of human ties. However, a closer look suggests a more nuanced, deeply human motivation. His departure may not be a rejection of humanity, but paradoxically, an act rooted in his lingering humanity. This wasn’t a cold, calculated decision, but a profoundly emotional one, stemming from the very human vulnerabilities he thought he had transcended since his birth as Doctor Manhattan.
Jon Osterman’s photograph, a poignant reminder of his human past and the life he left behind before his transformation and birth as Doctor Manhattan.
Before abandoning Earth, Jon visits a bar in Arizona, a seemingly insignificant stop that reveals volumes. He pauses at a bulletin board, fixated on a photograph of his former self, Jon Osterman, alongside Janey Slater, his ex-girlfriend. This is not a fleeting glance; Jon takes the photograph with him to Mars. Does this action align with the image of a detached, emotionless being? Doctor Manhattan, capable of manipulating matter and time, could have easily replicated the photo or relived the memory in perfect detail. Instead, he seeks out a tangible memento from his past, a bar from his former life. This photograph, a vestige of Jon Osterman’s life before the accident that marked the birth of Doctor Manhattan, becomes his sole worldly possession on Mars. These are the actions of someone grappling with nostalgia, longing, and very human emotions – a stark contrast to the detached persona he often projects.
Janey Slater’s presence in Jon’s thoughts is understandable, and tragically pivotal. During the televised interview, he learns of her terminal cancer and is led to believe he is the cause. His departure from Earth isn’t simply weariness of humanity’s flaws. He believes his very presence is causing harm, inflicting cancer upon those around him, including Janey. Jon leaves Earth not out of disdain, but out of a distorted sense of protection for Laurie and others. While weariness of human conflict might be a superficial layer, the deeper motivation is a misguided attempt to shield humanity from what he perceives as his toxic influence. This protective instinct, however flawed and tragically misinformed, reveals a deeply embedded, albeit twisted, sense of responsibility, echoing the human Jon Osterman who existed before the birth of Doctor Manhattan.
Doctor Manhattan’s contemplation in the bar, highlighting the internal conflict between his godlike powers and the lingering human emotions tied to his birth as Jon Osterman.
It’s profoundly human that even with cosmic power, Jon Osterman, even as Doctor Manhattan, experiences fear. Confronting supervillains is one arena, but navigating human emotions and interpersonal complexities remains his Achilles’ heel. Since his transformation, the birth of Doctor Manhattan effectively erected a wall between him and humanity, a barrier built of perceived detachment and control. However, that wall crumbles during the interview. Human emotions remain an enigma, relationships a perplexing puzzle. His powers were the one constant, the domain Doctor Manhattan believed he mastered – until the devastating revelation that these very powers were causing harm. This realization shatters his illusion of control, revealing a vulnerability he thought he had shed with his humanity.
Doctor Manhattan’s flight to Mars, therefore, is not an act of cold indifference, but a panicked, albeit extreme, fight or flight response. Jon Osterman, even in his godlike form, is still fundamentally human, reacting to fear and guilt in a way that, while amplified by his extraordinary nature, is undeniably relatable.
Of course, this interpretation might be just one facet of a multifaceted character. But that’s the enduring power of Watchmen. Published initially in 1986, it continues to spark new interpretations and conversations. Its characters and themes are rich enough to dissect and re-examine for decades to come, constantly revealing new layers of meaning. While Mars may not offer escape from our inner turmoil, perhaps understanding characters like Doctor Manhattan helps us find our own solutions within the chaos of our own Earthly existence.
Watchmen Chapter 1 is available now on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and digital. Watch for Watchmen Chapter 2 later this year.
Joshua Lapin-Bertone writes about TV, movies and comics for DC.com, contributes to the Couch Club, and authors the monthly Batman column, “Gotham Gazette.” Follow him on Twitter at @TBUJosh.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed are solely those of Joshua Lapin-Bertone and do not represent DC or Warner Bros. Discovery. They should not be taken as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.
