Watchmen by Alan Moore
This was originally published by DC Comics as a monthly installment. So it does have that serial feel to it as each chapter offers a specific focus on one of the characters, yet advances the overall narrative. Additionally, each chapter is followed by a "non-comic" section that develops more of the backstories.
Set in an alternative American in which Nixon is still president in 1988.
It begins with the Comedian being pushed from his apartment to the street below. With the police having no leads, costumed vigilante Rorschach decides to probe further. Rorschach discovers a plot to kill off and/or discredit costumed adventurers, and sets out to warn four of his retired comrades. Then it seems that someone is killing off or discrediting the former Crimebusters. The remaining members end up coming together to discover the who and the why behind it all, and the payoff to the mystery is most satisfactory. On the surface this seems a basic concept but there is a depth of both the characters and their respective subplots: Dr. Manhattan dealing with his responsibility to humanity given his god-like powers; Nite Owl having trouble leaving his secret identity behind; Rorschach being examined by a psychiatrist after he is put in jail.
The subplots offer many layers to this complicated graphic novel. One is parallel thread of pictures superimposed throughout many chapters of Watchmen from a darkly-violent pirate comic being read by a young man sitting on the ground near the news stand where he borrowed it, drawing the ongoing anger of the stand's owner who nonetheless enjoys the company. This interwoven thread at times mirrors action in real time as the Watchmen find themselves the target of a campaign to kill or force them into hiding.
It is interesting to read how each main costumed hero got his/her start and where they finish up. We learn that while the costume or mask may protect their physical identity it does not change who they really are. I am not the biggest fan of graphic novels as I find them hard to follow with dialog overlapping but with all the good reviews about the movie I thought it was important to see what it was all about first and then see the movie. I was surprised by the serious yet subtle undertones. We see race, sexual orientation and just life in general from this point of view. Now I'm ready for the movie.