Is this a literary masterpiece?

No.
Watchmen is just a glorified fanfic.

I disagree, but I was wondering what you think detracts it from such a title? Not trying to shitpost I'm genuinely curious, Moore's work is sort of divisive.

terrible argument. most of the canon could be described as glorified fanfic; it's better to say fanfic is degenerate fiction.

note: i don't care whether or not watchmen can into the canon

>tfw people try to judge a work without knowing about the medium

a lot of retards say that Watchmen is the greatest graphic novel because some shitty magazine said so, but you have greater works like Corto Maltese, Metabarons, that Spiegelman-curated comic anthology, Zap Comix, Miracleman, The Sandman, etc.

>Metabarons
Metabarons is entertaining but literally garbage with well-done art, has nothing on Watchmen, no matter how many plebs wrongly stick onto the latter

The Sandman is just shitty Swamp thing fanfic for girls.

Can't think of much in common between them. I'm guessing they're the only two Vertigo you've read and the house style art makes you think they're similar. kek @ you

>Can't think of much in common between them

Other than that, gr8 b8

Neil Gaiman is moderately good writer for the fantasy genre, and it translated well to comics. Sandman has literally nothing on Watchmen. On top of the deconstruction of superheroes (which can seem boring now, but it's the seinfeld isn't funny effect) it's use of the comic medium for the exploration of time and perception is incredible.

On the other hand, From Hell is better in just about every way. I also think Maus is better, but less entertaining.

Miracleman is better