Written by Juanita ‘Obi-Juan’ Bonner Volume III: The Heart That Fed…!  Catch up on the journey so far, by way of Juanita’s reviews of Volume I and Volume II. The cover of this volume and the first variant (both Jae Lee), are not Ozymandias, but rather Edward Blake as his famous vigilante persona we saw at the end of Volume II, The Comedian… Awesome!! The second variant (Massimo Carnevale), shows a magical like image of Ozymandias wielding a glowing ball next to what appears to be the Eye of Horus symbol [1], further pushing the thought of Veidt’s limitless God-like ego. Within the pages, Adrian Veidt continues his autobiography with “September 23, 1959”, jumping right into the altercation he has with Blake on the waterfront while following up on a missing vigilante from The Minutemen, Hooded Justice. I’m not particularly fond of how Blake is drawn here comparted to the covers, but the commentary is definitely on point with his character. His self-righteous arrogance burns as brightly as it does in Watchmen, pages or screen. Thinking he’s got the drop on Ozymandias with a second gun pointed directly at him (the first one already disabled by Veidt in Volume 2), The Comedian states, “Looks like the joke’s on you, pansy boy – and the punch line’s a killer!” Adrian calmly points out they are on the same side of the law to which The Comedian sarcastically disagrees; ”Shoot first, ask questions afterward.” However, The Comedian, though a pretty perceptive man in his own right, doesn’t realize that Adrian is several steps ahead of him. A calm approach to the conversation allows Adrian to monitor The Comedian’s every move and notice “the almost imperceptible tightening” of Blake’s trigger finger. Having dispatched it during conversation, with sleek precision, Veidt releases one of his slender stilettos landing it directly in the barrel of Blake’s weapon. The gun backfires and is torn to pieces in Blake’s hand, blinding him momentarily, allowing for Veidt to attack!! The scuffle is entertaining to watch and is filled with back and forth banter that is also amusing to read. I love this, the both of them on display and on par with previous volumes, the pages are colorful yet dark while showing various scenes simultaneously on each page. Evenly matched, the fight ensues until Blake, who fights dirty, cheats. However, because Veidt disables both of Blake’s weapons, a stalemate occurs. The Comedian leaves into the dark waterfront shadows, but not before telling Veidt to stay out his way. Veidt, gathering himself on the docks, points out that he actually let The Comedian best him as a means of gathering Intel on Blake’s fighting skills. Ha, I knew it, this is the same battle referenced in Watchmen (Ch. 11; pg. 19)! Preparing for future encounters are we… Moving months into the future, we catch up with Adrian in his office as his secretary presents him with the morning papers. Confirming what Adrian already suspected, the headlines say, “Meet Dr. Manhattan – There is a Superman, and He’s an American!” Veidt devours the papers hoping to learn more about Dr. Manhattan. Up until this point, the reader is not fully aware just how much Adrian is obsessed with Dr. Manhattan as he states, “I spent the next few minutes catching up on what little I hadn’t already learned about this so-called superman…” Not learning much, Adrian is disappointed and turns his attention to investing in fallout shelters. He instructs his secretary to procure land in Antarctica, as well as architects and contractors, sparing no expense, of course. The Fortress is coming, much to my delight, and I take a moment to think about his actual fear. In Watchmen, Adrian Veidt is quite sure that the steps he’s taken will be the salvation of humanity and we all know how that ends. Mass murder and destruction ultimately brings peace, but… is Veidt right? Is his ego right? On a single page, the volume jumps ahead several times. First by a few months to Veidt reviewing three sets of architectural plans for his fortress vision. He instructs that the best of all three be combined into one and reminds them “time is of the essence.” Second, a few months more to the site of construction in Antarctica. Then finally, a third time back in New York showing Ozymandias taking down bad guys at night. Obviously keeping busy, there is also mention of Veidt manipulating the stock market by day. At this point, the backstory of Adrian Veidt and Ozymandias is definitely starting to come full circle and this reader wonders… has Alan Moore read this? It’s fantastic!!  By the summer of 1960, Adrian’s plans are on track and while he’s out portraying Ozymandias, he is presented with an invitation from a local policeman. Left for him at police headquarters, Ozymandias has been invited to a Red Cross charity event for Indian famine. Veidt initially declines but when the officer mentions that Dr. Manhattan will be there, along with the city’s vigilantes, he decides to meet his obsession and changes his mind. At this point, I contemplate, generally, Adrian knows everything, but is he depicted in Watchmen (pages or screen) as obsessed with Dr. Manhattan? Scientifically, I conclude, that this does make sense. Adrian has been waiting for the doomsday clock since he was a child. Even a blip of information about someone or something like Dr. Manhattan, should, and likely would be on Veidt’s radar. And with his influence, obviously, well before the general public.
Cut to the charity event, Ozymandias is performing on stage by balancing on a stack of three beach balls. Much to my surprise, Veidt is paired up with another masked vigilante; The Comedian, who shoots each ball one by one for crowd entertainment. As one would come to expect, Veidt balances flawlessly. Afterwards, behind the curtains, Blake mocks Veidt in his usual fashion, Veidt deflects in his, and I’m pretty sure these two egos would explode if they were trapped in a room together… insert eye roll! Veidt moves to meet Mothman who is having a bit of stage freight. Adrian reassures him then proceeds to watch the show on the many monitors backstage giving him the idea for multiple monitors in his fortress. While pondering this, he is approached by Captain Metropolis with very true to form artwork. [2] The Captain thanks Ozymandias for helping Mothman to which Adrian replies, “The last thing the public’s confidence in us needs is to watch one of us come apart in front of them.” Does this imply that Adrian is already aware of the spiraling man behind the moth discussed in Watchmen? Eluding to the phrase, the “smartest man in the world,” the Captain says, “speaking of which, mind if I ask you a question?” Much to Adrian’s disappointment, having the opportunity to ask the smartest man any question, the Captain asks how to pronounce Ozymandias correctly stating, “Is it pronounced Ozymandias or Ozymandias?” Adrian replies that it can be said either way, though he prefers the latter by saying, “It sounds more elegant somehow.” So, you have just one question for the smartest man on earth and that’s it? Really? I’m as dissatisfied as Adrian is! Conversely, I’m delighted that Len Wein found a way to address the pronunciation beyond the movie. For I too have wondered. Okay, okay. Maybe it’s not such a bad question, but given just one, what would you ask, particularly, before the internet age? After Metropolis excuses himself to “go mingle,” Adrian notices Dr. Manhattan in conversation with Nite Owl. He moves to introduce himself but then pulls back to inconspicuously spy just out of the Dr.’s sight. At that moment, Adrian notices that all the hairs on the back of his neck are standing and actually pointing in Dr. Manhattan’s direction. His arm hair does the same even when he moves it. Adrian notes this as an ominous sign but continues to monitor. Janey Slater, Dr. Manhattan’s companion, joins the conversation and asks if they can go home because she is feeling ill; ”getting that queasy feeling” in her stomach again. I ponder if Adrian decided to investigate Janey then and there, well before he takes her under his wing of manipulation at Dimensional Developments. [3] As they leave, much to Adrian’s surprise, Dr. Manhattan makes a point to say goodbye to Veidt. Being completely caught off guard, as you would imagine, only fuels Adrian’s obsession. Ironically, from Dr. Manhattan’s perspective in Watchmen, he is disinterested in this charity event and the only person he finds interesting is Veidt (Ch. 4; pg. 14). I contemplate if Adrian would’ve felt flattered to know this or would his ego just sort of say, ”duh!” The last few pages round out with Adrian at his finished Antarctica fortress. A magnificent spectacle tucked into a snowy environment. Veidt is welcomed by his secretary along with security who offer condolences regarding the plane crash that killed all three of his architects. An interestingly short, yet chilling, insight into Adrian’s mind. He proceeds forward with his security, but not before remarking to Marla that he will meet her in the bedroom shortly. I am quite flabbergasted by this because nowhere before is their relationship portrayed as romantic or sexual. Not to mention, this is the first time her name is actually spoken on page. Wait, is Marla the woman in the gas mask on the cover of Volume 2 and not his mind bound with guilt… maybe both? Such secrets this man has… Finally, we see Adrian as he sheds “all of me that had been Adrian Veidt,” don his Ozymandias gear and ask his security, “Is it ready?” Once confirmed, he states, “Show me Doctor Manhattan.” The last page closes where the first page of Volume 1 began, in the throne room with multiple screens, this time, all on Dr. Manhattan and that sight is followed by Adrian’s final words…“And so it begins…” Before Watchmen: Ozymandias #3 - 'Volume III: The Heart That Fed…!' Writer/Artist: Len Wein/Jae Lee; Publisher: DC Comics Volume III:
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