Watchmen: Chapter V - page 19

PAGE 19

Panel 1:  As with their previous scenes in this chapter, we see Dan and Laurie in the reflection of a mirror (in their human identities, they are “reflections” of their true selves, of their superhero personae) this time in Dan’s guest room where Laurie is staying, now that she’s been sent packing by the U.S. Army.

Panel 2:  We only see the midsections of Dan and Laurie in the foreground, with more of their bodies, including their faces, shown in the mirror in the background, once more reinforcing this issue’s visual motif.

Panel 3:  Pulling back, we now only see part of Laurie within the reflection of the mirror. 

Panel 4:  And again, the full picture of these two, at least as we are able to see their faces, is found within the mirror.

Panel 6:  It may not be obvious, but the book on Dan’s nightstand is Hollis Mason’s Under the Hood.  This is appropriate since nightstands are where one often keeps his/her Bible, and this book would certainly be considered Dan’s bible.

Panel 7:  Note that the way Dan is lying in bed, he forms a lower-case “r.”  This will be more significant as we turn the page.

Note that the way Dan is lying in bed, he forms a lower-case “r.”  This will be more significant as we turn the page.

Also, his remark, “hell and damnation,” transitions nicely into