Rorschach investigates the Comedian's death, formulating a "mask killer" theory, and triggering an investigation that rounds up many of the Comedian's former superhero allies, who are now banned from carrying out any acts of "justice."
The Comedian is buried and his history is revealed through a series of flashbacks.
Dr. Manhattan's relationship with Laurie Juspeczyk erodes and he discovers that many of his colleagues have contracted terminal cancer, and exiles himself to Mars.
On Mars, Dr. Manhattan contemplates his history, which is revealed through a series of flashbacks.
Rorschach continues to pursue his "mask killer" theory, focusing on Moloch. But a follow up lead at a retired super villian’s apartment is a setup, leading to his capture by the police and his face being revealed for the first time.
In police custody, Rorschach is interviewed by Dr. Malcolm Long, a psychiatrist. Rorschach's history and identity are revealed.
Silk Spectre continues to stay with Nite Owl and they become romantically involved. Nite Owl and Silk Spectre save people from an apartment fire, and resolve to break Rorschach out of prison.
Laurie and Dan start putting together pieces of a conspiracy that leads them to the decision to go break Rorschach out of prison. When they all return to Dan's apartment, Dr. Manhattan return from his self-exile on Mars and wisks Laurie away so they can discuss the situation.
Dr. Manhattan takes Laurie to Mars, and embarks on a journey back through time, reliving the events of Laurie’s past in order to find clues about the nature of humanity and how he might be able to affect the turmoil that is choking the world. After many revalations, Dr. Manhattan decides what he must do.
As Russian tanks mass along the East German border, President Nixon and Vice President Ford head deep inside a government emergency bunker. Before continuing their investigation, Rorschach and Nite-Owl head back to Rorschach’s apartment to pick up his spare costume and journal.
As Rorschach and Nite-Owl approach Veidt’s Antarctic retreat, they discuss whether or not their old crime fighting partner would actually want the world destroyed.
Midnight, November 2, 1985. Most of New York City has been devastated by the psychic trauma caused by the instant death of Ozymandias’ teleported “alien.” Dr. Manhattan and heavily distraught Laurie tour the devastation. After they have seen enough, the two teleport away to the South Pole, to follow a trail of tachyon particles that Dr. Manhattan senses will lead to the source of the disturbance.
A mariner survives an attack from the dreaded pirates of the Black Freighter, but his struggle to return home to warn it has a horrific cost.
A television interview with Hollis Mason, The first Nite-Owl, about his life and the superhero community.
How "Tales of the Black Freighter" and "Under the Hood" connect to and expand the world of "Watchmen", with a unique analogy to the character arc of Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias
