The Question: All Along The Watchtower #1: Who Watches the Watchmen?

The Question: All Along The Watchtower #1 is the latest series to spin out of post-Absolute Power era that kicked off in the DC All In Special – Alpha #1, which introduced Renee’s new role as the sheriff of the Watchtower.

Segura wastes no time bringing readers up to speed with a brief, yet succinct recounting of Montoya’s brief career as Gotham City Police Commissioner and her relationships through the pictures in her Alcoholics Anonymous “Big Book” specifically her with Crispus Allen (former host for The Spectre) and her relationship with Kate Kane aka Batwoman.

As she begins her rounds, there are plenty of cameos of A thru C List heroes who are at the Watchtower (Shining Knight and Ray are some nice inclusions here). It is also here that readers are told why the Trinity felt Montoya would be perfect for the role, aside from not being Police Commissioner any longer. It was refreshing that it wasn’t just Batman who thought the role would ve a good fit as Superman and Wonder Woman agree and are heroes that Renee respects, maybe a bit more than Batman, for obvious reasons.

It’s great to see that Montoya won’t be working alone and will have a team of fellow former Charlton characters The Blue Beetles, both Ted Kord and Jaime Reyes, Animal Man (unfortunately in the black and white suit ), the Challengers of the Unknown, and much to Renee’s chagrin, her former lover, Batwoman.

The issue also lays the groundwork for the overarching story for the series: someone or something is attempting to take over The Watchtower and weaponize it. While the source has been hinted at both subtly and not so, everything points to whomever it is causing chaos in both the readings the Blue Beetles are tracking, the unease of the Animals that Buddy Baker is dealing with, the attacking of Conduit’s suit, and a murder.

Tormey’s art is on point and is strong, especially his facial expressions of characters such as Wonder Woman and Jaime

Segura seems to be playing off the song of the same name by Bob Dylan which has many interpretations and themes:

Existential Themes

The song portrays a sense of urgency and existential questioning such as the lyric ” There must be some out of here, said the joker and the thief” that some suggest is a  struggle between different perspectives on life, reality, and societal roles, which would be something that has always been something the League has struggled and dealt with throughout the years and would be more prevalent with the expanded Justice League Unlimited, not to mention where  Renee finds herself in her new role.

Social Commentary

The song lyrics are also seen as a commentary on societal structures and the disillusionment people might feel within them. The issue does more that touch on Renee’s feelings of confusion, entrapment, and overall sense of trying to figure out where she belongs, not only in the League but where she sees herself at this point in her life.

Apocalyptic Undertones

The song exudes a sense of foreboding, hinting at an impending upheaval or transformation as the repeated refrain of the “watchtower” suggests that something significant is about to happen, which the heroes have yet to know the full extent of because Booster Gold has yet to return from the Absolute universe.

Other possible connections between the issue, the series, the All In DC era, and song:

• “Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl,”

On the final page, Teekl, The Witch-cat familiar of Klarion the Witch Boy is seen supposedly leaving the room where Challenger of the Unknown Kenn Kawa, who was with Animal Man, was murdered. Klarion, who ascended to a Lord of Chaos during Dark Crisis, is most likely the one attempting to weaponize The Watchtower, perhaps to help future Darkseid

• “There must be some way out of here,” said the joker to the thief, “There’s too much confusion, I can’t get no relief.

While it is only the first issue, perhaps The Question series will eventually tie into Booster Gold (The Joker) trapped in Darkseid’s (The thief) DCU and Renee’s investigation will provide some sort of bridge between these two stories