We've been treating Rorschach by Tom King as though it's set in the universe of the Watchmen comics (ie Watchmen, Before Watchmen, Doomsday Clock). But there are a few key details that prove this incorrect, and that it is, in fact, set in canon with HBO's Watchmen universe (Watchmen, HBO's Watchmen, Peteypedia). So here's... that. Like, the details:
The first issue mentions how popular of an identity Rorschach is, even after Kovacs' death years earlier. Not only that, but there's no mention of anyone else (ie, Reggie Long) taking up the mantle. And keep in mind, that was in 1992, and this is 2020. It also points out that it's still popular "even after Oklahoma". Seventh Kavalry, anyone?
The second issue shows Alma Thompson reference the fact that the US winning the Vietnam War made Vietnam a state. I'm pretty sure that's exclusive to Damon Lindelof's work, no?
At DC FanDome, Tom King said "nothing contradicts the show" in the comic, implying that's the world it's set in.
This Tweet from Tom King, the writer of Rorschach, from just a few months ago. Honestly, I should have just led with this:
I reccommend we put the info from Tom King's Rorschach under Watchmen (TV Series) instead of just "Watchmen". It's clearly the correct canon.
