About

The following contains spoilers.

Rorschach (born Walter Kovacs) is one of the main characters of the Watchmen graphic novel written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons. He wears a shifting inkblot mask that he considers his true face (hence the name he chose). He is one of the only remaining active masked vigilantes, refusing to give up his calling after all save those who were employed by the government were forced into retirement.

Like the majority of the characters in Watchmen, Rorschach has no special powers. It is implied that he is in relatively good physical condition, as it is said he excelled in amateur boxing and gymnastics in his youth. Rorschach is cold and methodical and described by friend and former partner Nite Owl II as tactically briliant. He is able to make good use of improvised weapons during the series which includes the grappling hook made for him by Nite Owl.

As the comic begins, Rorschach investigates the murder of Edward Blake, also known as The Comedian, a mask employed by the government. Rorschach believes Blake's death is the first in a plot to eliminate masked heroes. At first he isn't believed by his former colleagues, who believe him to be paranoid. During the course of the graphic novel, it is revealed that there is a scheme afoot, but not what Rorschach had suspected.

Rorschach is a man who sees the world in black and white. There is good and evil, and 'evil must be punished' harshly regardless of the degree of the infraction. He punishes rapists and thieves and more minor offenses like spray painting graphiti with nearly equal violence. He has extreme right-wing views. He is strongly patriotic, idolizing those he sees as working for the benefits of America, is anti-communist, and puts liberals on the same level as prostitutes.

He sees his true identity as Rorschach, and that his disguise is his unmasked self. Rorschach considers his younger self foolish, that he was just Walter Kovacs pretending to be Rorschach as opposed to now. He also thinks he was too soft on criminals because he let them live. After a kidnapping case, that turned into a homicide, he discovered the true way of the world and became the man he is today, someone 'free to draw [his] own design on a morally blank world.'

In the upcoming movie, Watchmen, the part of Rorschach will be played by actor Jackie Earle Haley.