Adrian Alexander Veidt AKA Ozymandias: quick character study

Adrian Alexander Veidt, also known as Ozymandias, is a character from the graphic novel Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Veidt is a former costumed adventurer and billionaire industrialist who draws inspiration from his hero Alexander the Great and the Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II, from whom he took his name. He used his company to create a giant monster, which he used to unite the human race through fear, thus ending nuclear war.

Veidt was born to German immigrants and showed signs of exceptional intelligence from a young age. Following the death of his parents, he inherited their substantial fortune but chose to give it all to charity to demonstrate the possibility of achieving anything starting from nothing. Veidt embarked on a pilgrimage of physical, mental, and spiritual discovery, following the route of Alexander the Great, that took him throughout the Mediterranean, Asia Minor, and former ancient Persia. He learned how to use the full 100% capacity of his brain from a group of monks in Tibet.

In late 1958, Veidt adopted Alexander the Great's free-booting style and the Greek name of Ramesses II to become the costumed adventurer known as Ozymandias. Ozymandias made his debut busting up a major opium and heroin smuggling racket. He focused particularly on taking down organized crime syndicates led by Moloch the Mystic. His crimefighting exploits earned him a reputation amongst the criminal underground for his athletic prowess and high intellect, the latter which earned him the title of "the smartest man in the world."

Veidt's plan to prevent nuclear holocaust involved creating a giant monster, genetically engineered using the brains of psychic individuals, and teleporting it into New York City, killing millions. He believed that the shock and horror of the event would unite the world against a common enemy and prevent the escalation of the Cold War. The plan was successful, but it came at a great cost, including the assassination of the Comedian, Veidt's own assassination, and the framing of Rorschach. In the end, Veidt was successful in his plan, but at the cost of betraying his own principles and causing the deaths of millions.

Veidt is a complex character who is both brilliant and flawed. He is driven by his desire to save humanity, but his methods are morally questionable. He is willing to sacrifice anything and anyone to achieve his goals, including his own morality. He believes that the end justifies the means, even if the means involve killing millions of innocent people. Veidt's intelligence and arrogance make him believe that he knows what is best for the world and that he is capable of making the hard choices that others cannot. Overall, Veidt is a tragic character whose actions, while successful in preventing nuclear war, are morally questionable and come at a great cost.

Leave a Comment