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HBO’sWatchmenseries is reviving the seminal graphical novel , building on the legacy of its writing , world - building , and colorful cast of characters . That also think there ’s great deal of story that ’s important to the new , remixed story story , particularly when it comes to the superhero team of The Minutemen … and their mysterious brawler , Hooded Justice .
Trailers for the coming series have foreground Hooded Justice , a burly vigilance man with an executioner ’s hood and a hangman ’s noose around his cervix . He ’s tall , sullen , and imposing – and a crucial form in theWatchmenmythos . Hooded Justice is one of the story ’s earliest mask hero , and has deep ties to some of its most critical characters , the original Minutemenlargely credited with popularizing costumed heroes . But for those unacquainted with the authoritative series , a crash grade inWatchmenhistory is about to start .
Who Were the Minutemen?
Founded in 1939 , The Minutemen were America ’s first squad of masked crimefighters . The stalwart Captain Metropolis spearhead the team go-ahead with the original Silk Spectre ( a.k.a . Sally Jupiter and née Sally Juspeczyk ) and her manager , Laurence Schexnayder . Together , they forge a supergroup with America ’s finest Golden Age " mystery men " : the first Nite Owl , Silhouette , Moth Man , Dollar Bill , the Comedian , and the enigmatic Hooded Justice .
Though fearless hero for justice throughout World War II , controversies would chase after the team in their later years — include the homophobia - fueled slaying of Silhouette . The squad disband in 1949 , and while individual member kept dynamic in the ' 50s , finally all retired ( sometimes forcefully , in the case of Moth Man , who was attached to a genial wellness facility ) .
Hooded Justice: The Minuteman Mystery
Hooded Justice was America ’s very first know crimefighter , and he ’s long proved the most mystical . Though his genuine identity has never been revealed , he at once inspired Hollis Mason , the first Nite Owl , who would go on to mentorDan Dreiberg ( mavin ofWatchmen ) . build like a matman and dressed like an executioner , Hooded Justice reduce an imposing figure , terrifying criminals .
Much of what short is recognize of Hooded Justice comes from Hollis Mason ’s autobiography , Under the Hood(one of the series ' numerous backup features ) . The vigilante was first spotted in 1938 , foiling a robbery in Queens and leaving one of the crook cripple for life . A week afterwards , he was seen again crashing through a supermarket windowpane to arrest a pin - up , beating the robber ' loss leader so brutally the rest surrendered . A paper article come after suit , christening the masked humankind with its headline:“Hooded Justice . "
After get together the Minutemen at the squad ’s institution , Hooded Justice became a more public public figure , even " date " mate Sally Jupiter ( though in secret , he was involved with Captain Metropolis ) . One fatal night after a Christmas political party he discover the Comedian attempting to assault Sally , and viciously beat up him into meekness . Ever the mystery , he stay on stale and aloof after the incident , as remote as ever . Circa 1955 the House Un - American Activities Committee call for ( at the height of paranoid McCarthyism ) the Minutemen unmask . While his teammates complied , Hooded Justice simply disappeared . His fate rest unknown .
How The Minutemen ‘Created’ The Watchmen
In 1966 , Captain Metropolis attempted to reform a team of costumed reformist , this metre set about recruit a novel generation . dub the " Crimebusters , " the team would pick up where the Minutemen left off . The " team " had only one encounter , immediately falling apart , but it would rise to be a pivotal tip inWatchmen ’s history . It was the first time many had met , notably Laurie Juspeczyk , the daughter of Sally Jupiter and 2nd Silk Spectre , andthe all - powerful Doctor Manhattan . Unfortunately , many balk at the idea ; the lightlessness - and - white - apt Rorschach called it a " publicity utilization , " while the returned Comedian openly mocked the idea of the superhero squad itself . Though many of the invited would work together in the hereafter , with Nite Owl and Rorschach remaining married person , and Silk Spectre and Doctor Manhattan becoming lover , the Crimebusters ' tenure ended before it begin .
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Early tone at HBO’sWatchmenhave indicate Hooded Justice will be a focal point , flashing back to the very incident that dedicate him his name . Whether his identity will be disclose is anyone ’s guess , but story has always been a central part of the classic chronicle , and the upcoming serial looks to continue the custom . For the next chapter ofWatchmen , tune into HBO on October 20 .
MORE : The Biggest Changes Between The Watchmen Comic & Movie
