Totally Engrossing

I don't usually read comic books and graphic novels (with the exception of Neil Gaiman's "Sandman" books), but I have to say that found "Watchmen" to be absolutely riveting. I first heard about this book on a History Channel special about comics. It sounded interesting, so I thought I'd check it out.
To begin with, this book is not for kids. It takes place in a semi-fictional 1985 in which the United States is on the brink of total war with the Soviet Union. Against this ominous backdrop, someone is killing off masked adventurers (a.k.a. superheroes). "Watchmen" is full of violence and innuendo and is only intended for adult audiences.
The characters in this book really draw the reader's attention. Unlike most stereotypical superheroes, Alan Moore's "costumed adventurers" are not physically, mentally, and morally superior to the people they protect. Moore's heroes sometimes are not heroes at all. Some of them are violent, psychopathic, egomaniacal criminals themselves. The only thing that makes them heroes is at whom they choose to direct their righteous rage.
In addition to uncovering the complicated plot, I found myself reading this book because I really wanted to see what happens to the main characters. I actually CARED about how the story would turn out. I actually read the last 1/3 of this book without putting it down. The story became so engrossing that I half expected to see headlines in the paper the next day related to it surprising ending.
Ultimately, the story turns out to be one of morality. "Watchmen" dares to ask the question, "How much are we willing to pay for peace and security?" I can't help but be struck by how this issue is just as important today as it was when this book was written, but now for different reasons.