Watchmen: Chapter II - Page 19

PAGE 19

Panels 2-3:  Dan dropping the smiley face button into Blake’s grave is obviously symbolic of the death of the Comedian.

Panel 4:  In the background, Moloch is leaving flowers on Blake’s grave.

Panel 5:  Dr. Manhattan seems to be the only one of the three adventurers that noticed Moloch’s gesture. 

Panel 6:  The caption:  “As we forgive those that trespass against us . . .” over an image of Dr. Manhattan and Ozymandias shaking hands foreshadows the conflict that will come later in the book between these two.

Panel 7:  “And lead us not into temptation” could be read as Kovacs’s (as Rorschach) temptation to follow and interrogate Moloch.

Panel 8:  “. . . deliver us from evil” can be read as a commentary on Moloch walking away (trying to escape) Rorschach (in the foreground in his civilian identity)

Panel 9:  The color scheme accentuating those who had a direct relationship with Edward Blake, as noted in the commentary for Page 12, Panel 1, continues as Kovacs’s hair stands out drastically against the drab coloring of the rest of the scene.