Watchmen: Chapter VII - page 4

PAGE 4

Panel 4:  Dan’s comment that the fire mainly only burned off the soot from “Archie,” coupled with the flames on the previous two pages, symbolizes, as well as foreshadows, the rebirth (as in the mythological Phoenix) of Nite Owl and Silk Spectre later in this chapter.

Panel 7:  The “magician’s cave” comment by Laurie is symbolic of the wizard Merlin, from the legend of Camelot and King Arthur, who was an inspiration for Dan and, from which legend, Dan got the name for his owlship, Archimedes – the name of Merlin’s pet owl and familiar in some of the tellings of the legend.

Panel 8:  The empty Nite Owl suit is looking down on Dan, condemning him with its silent stare, as he expresses his embarrassment with his former heroic identity, stating that it seemed “childish.”  This juxtaposition of Dan’s word and the “condemning” suit accentuate the fact that Dan does not truly believe this, and that, in this world, his heroics were not childish but “good” things that helped people.

Panel 9:  Pulling in close to the goggles, as seen on the cover, Moore again emphasizes Dan’s words that he has changed his mind, “with hindsight…on reflection,” as he and Laurie are reflected in the goggles.