Watchmen: How Nite Owl and Rorschach Became Partners

Rorschach and Nite Owl are Watchmen’s most notable team-up, but how did they meet? Before Watchmen: Nite Owl #1 reveals their partnership’s origin.

They’re the oddest pair in the entire story of Watchmen, but somehow the fastidious Nite Owl became partners with the grubby street detective known as Rorschach. A glimpse into Dan Dreiberg’s life in Before Watchmen: Nite Owl #1 reveals how the duo formed their iconic team-up.

Watchmen takes place in a universe much like the real-world, save for the presence of costumed adventurers. The addition of superheroes drastically changed the events of the Earth, whose politics, media, and culture all reflect the masks making themselves known. Two of the most well-known heroes in this world are Nite Owl and Rorschach, who were once part of the second wave of heroes known as the Crimebusters. While they worked well together, the two were about as opposite as can be. Nite Owl was the more idealistic of the two while Rorschach was an unbending, uncompromising fighter for justice.

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So how exactly do two heroes with such different backstories become one of the few superhero partnerships of Watchmen? The answer comes in the prequel series Before Watchmen: Nite Owl #1 by J. Michael Straczynski and Andy Kubert. Daniel Dreiberg has achieved his life’s dream and has begun working alongside the Golden Age Nite Owl, Hollis Mason. Unfortunately for Dan, before he can ever suit up as Mason’s partner, Dreiberg discovers that Hollis is planning on hanging up his costumed life for good. However, Mason promises to continue training Dan and allow him to step in as Mason’s replacement and become the new Nite Owl. After an additional two years of training, Dan makes his debut as a hero and quells a riot during a blackout. Afterwards, Nite Owl discovers the local vigilante Rorschach has boarded Dan’s Owlship with an offer for the two to become partners.

Rorschach Instigated His and Nite Owl’s Partnership

Surprisingly enough, it was the loner of Watchmen, Rorschach, who helped bring his partnership with Nite Owl to life. During the original story, there isn’t much mentioned of the two’s past, outside of a few references to the work the duo did before masks were made illegal. Based on what fans see of the two in Watchmen, one would think the more social Nite Owl would be the one to suggest a strength in numbers. But it turns out that Rorschach saw something in Dan that made him extend an unusual hand out in friendship.

Rorschach isn’t the most personable character. Of all the heroes in Watchmen, Rorschach is shown to be outwardly hostile to those he considers his allies. Even Dan mentions how difficult it is being Rorschach’s friend. But this moment shows that at one time, Rorschach had the interest and the ability to make friends with new people. He saw a kindred spirit in a fresh-faced vigilante and thought they could mutually benefit from pooling their efforts. It was a gambit that helped create a partnership that was integral to the story. Had Rorschach not gone outside his comfort zone to become partners with Nite Owl, Watchmen would have been missing its most crucial team-up.

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