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I searched for a thread specifically about the Minutemen, but couldn't find one. Feel free to move or merge as needed.

I wanted to compile as much information as possible about the Minutemen from the graphic novel and its supplementary materials, as well as any additions to the Minutemen mythos from the film. Also, any villains or big events they encountered. So far I'm using the Watchmen Wiki and Watchmen: The Film Companion (full of pictures and background info on these tertiary characters) as resources, but plenty of you know every little detail of the book. A Minutemen timeline would be fantastic. I'm also interested in any Minutemen fan-fiction that may be out there.

I am ruminating on an idea of the Minutemen during World War II distracting America from the horrors overseas. There's so much complexity to be mined from those characters and the way they each had something to hide, which may be a subconscious reason that they chose to wear masks and costumes. The larger theme could be a commentary on popular culture today, comparing the media's fascination with costumed heroes in the early 1940s to the devotion to celebrities in our current world, including reality shows and the need to be famous. The political angle could use the Union Banking Corporation as the shadowy and nebulous villainous entity with government connections and conspiracy undertones, playing on our current financial crisis. The UBC, which secretly has dealings with all sides of the conflict in Europe, also covertly controls the American media outlets and pushes them to focus on the superhero fad in order to distract the American public from the Nazi atrocities and lull them into apathy - the goal being to keep the US from entering WWII and ending the war.

Over top of that, you're dealing with homosexuality and women's rights during such a repressive period, as we deal with the personal and professional struggles of Hooded Justice, Captain Metropolis, Silhouette, Silk Spectre, and the Comedian. Alcoholism and mental illness - maybe an allegory to PTSD suffered by returning soldiers in our world - could be touched on with Mothman, while Dollar Bill could be a naive Kansas farmboy who starts to lose his innocence and believe his own hype. He could also be used as an unwitting pawn by his employers, an arm of the UBC. Of course, Hollis Mason would be the moral backbone and our way into the story. The more I think about it, I wish Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons would revisit the idea of a Minutemen prequel because it could be every bit as rich and deep and entertaining as Watchmen.

I love the Minutemen more than the Crimebusters. I myself have been working on Minutemen stories.

I like you're ideas so far. I never thought about the Union Banking Corporation, but I do see Dollar Bill very much as the way you do. I think you can really play with the Holocaust aspect. The Holocaust was known by everyone, but few talked about it at the time. It would be interesting to see Hooded Justice take on the Holocaust since he publicly supported Hilter's actions, but did he support the Holocaust? Did he change his opinion? Or did he completely condone it? And the aftermath of those actions.

It's ripe with possibilites.

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I think it would be interesting if Hooded Justice opposes the Holocaust and supports American intervention, while the Comedian laughs it off in a more bigoted fashion, not supporting it but not really caring about it - which I believe was one attitude in the US at the time. That would also play with expectations of the characters, considering HJ's earlier endorsement of Hitler.

HAs anyone else noticed how botht the Nite Owls are the only guys that you can root for 100% of the time? all the other characters are outlandish in a way or another, but the two NO's are honest to God good guys

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@RealSlimCAvery

Hollis,yes. Dan, well I liked him all the way up until he casually has sex with Laurie after a million people die and the Doc implies to him that he has just vaporized his best friend.

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"Of course. Must protect Veidt's new utopia. One more body amongst foundations makes little difference. Well? What are you waiting for? Do it."

Agreed.

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Hollis, 100%. Dan, 98-99%

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Mexicano Al Grito De Guerra