Quote:
"'Watchmen' is an embarrassment of riches to the comics-obsessed philosopher," said Mark D. White, editor of the book Watchmen and Philosophy: A Rorschach Test ."

The book is one of a series that uses pop culture as an entry point to the sometimes abstract subject of philosophy.

Quote:
The original series took the name from the phrase "Who watches the Watchmen?" which dates back to the 1st century Roman poet Juvenal and has been the subject of philosophical debate for centuries.

The essays by academics in "Watchmen and Philosophy" look at how Rorschach justifies his often brutal actions, and tackles subjects like the legitimacy of authority.

The mother and daughter Silk Spectres provide a window into the feminist thinking of French author Simone de Beauvoir . Another chapter is devoted to German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche's thoughts on the "Ubermensch" (superman).