Who's Tagging "Who Watches the Watchmen?" Graffiti in NYC?

Someone has been spray painting a catchphrase from Alan Moore's graphic novel around town, in places like Union Square and SoHo. You may have heard that a little art house movie adaptation of the book opens this weekend, so there's considerable speculation that this is part of a viral marketing campaign on behalf of Warner Bros. entertainment. If so, it's working, as this website and others are now happily demonstrating. Still, we have our doubts; the graffiti pictured here looks more like ye olde semi-illiterate fan boy FAILE. Who spell-checks the Watchmen? [Via Slashfilm.]

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in Arts and Events on March 5, 2009 4:08 PM

Comments [rss]

theLtrain

Hahaha. Everyone on Gothamist cries for a return to New Yorks "gritty old days"

You people literally applaud when people are shot on the street. "Take that hipsters!"

But someone spray paints something about the watchmen and you're all up in arms about the horrors of graffiti.

Felix Hoenikker

The DVD release will have the content the studios cut to get it down to 2:30. Netflix it is.

branded

A few days ago, I saw a ton of posts on 4chan about the watchmen. It is quite possible that the marketers found subversive ways to directly market to their target demo.

You know WatchMEMEn? They're trying to rick roll the watchmen.

http://images.encyclopediadramatica.com/images/4/43/Rorschachadvice1.jpg

Think2wice

The hype around this movie is ridiculous. I'm deliberately waiting a few days after the premier to avoid as many geeks as possible.

iank

I don't know about this... Looks like Gothamist is just as caught up in the watch-meme-n' as everyone else...

drewo

Also saw this in my neighborhood. I think they're just trying to mimic the gritty street scenes that were in the original comic book. I'd be real excited to see this movie - about 20 years ago!

IvoryJive

It's viral marketing for sure, and you're playing right into their hands. The reason they misspelled it is that all these urban blog editors wouldn't be able to resist posting it, just like misspelled subway signs. Furthermore, I'm gonna have to go see this damn art house movie now that you told me about it. Their fiendish plan is working.

Toby von Meistersinger

If it is more viral marketing BS, perhaps the city can get some revenue here. Hey City Council, how about a viral marketing tax?

Guest

BH, I've talked to a couple of people who have see pre-screenings of it and you won't be PM-disappointed. In fact, from what they've told me, you'll be TESB-ecstatic.

babyhitler

Ahhh Shit! this boat is real! finally, after 24 years, watchmen is a film. It better be good. although I have a feeling it will be Phantom Menace dissapointing.

Felix Hoenikker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIhHema5PNg

Spoilers, but hilarious.

ivyleaguecrew

I find it kind of funny that graffiti writers spend decades perfecting just a simple tag and putting in countless hours of work getting their names up thousands of times more than this "watchmen" thing, yet they go un-noticed by the general public. However, when someone comes along and puts up a few tags in some horrible hand writing, it gets tons of media exposure (think neckface)... This is why the smart crew started doing the following shitty graffiti: "World Peace, Not Pieces", "Papa Loves Baby", etc...

Wza

haha!

shout out to the smart crew!

i see you guys.

whatsd

They should be arrested and then fined for the damage they are causing. I hope this is paint that washes away.

KiljoyWasHere

I hear the theHappyCorp has some time on their hands.

whitecastlerock

maybe it is banksy...

fakenewyorker

the graffiti matches the secondary color scheme of the watchmen comics.

colonelcasey

Reminds me of January 2008 when there was chalk writing around Union Square asking "What is Cloverfield?" At least it was in chalk so it was mostly harmless and would wash away, unlike this.