Rumrunner

The Rumrunner is a bar in New York City located near Edgar Jacobi's home.

History

Defaced

Sometime after October 21, 1985, the Rumrunner was defaced with Hiroshima Lovers graffiti.[1]

Alternate Timeline

The Rumrunner was a notorious hangout for bikers and petty enforcers. While investigating Underboss’ escape from Sing Sing, Nite Owl II and Rorschach traced the trail of clues that led them straight to the bar. There, a brutal clash with a gang broke out—uncovering vital leads about who had masterminded the prison break.[2]

Trivia

  • Much of the tension surrounding Rorschach in Fearful Symmetry takes place around the Rumrunner. The bar’s sign—two mirrored “R”s forming a skull atop a crossbones motif—mirrors the symmetry of his shifting mask and foreshadows the violent justice he brings.
    • The neon sign flickers between warm and cold hues, throwing a chaotic light across the street and into Moloch’s home, creating a sense of unease both inside and out.[3]
  • The Rumrunner is visible from the Chrysler Building, its gaudy signage cutting through the skyline as a beacon for those who thrive in shadows.[1]
  • The name Rumrunner harks back to Prohibition-era smuggling, where bootleggers trafficked alcohol under cover of night. This historical nod, paired with the skull-and-crossbones iconography, hints at a pirate-like theme—a fitting parallel for the lawless world of Watchmen.
  • The bar’s name may also allude to Tales of the Great Rum Runners, a work by Robert Hunter, a member of the Grateful Dead.

Gallery

Comic

Watchmen

Live Action

Watchmen (film)

Behind the Scenes

Video Game

Watchmen: The End Is Nigh

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chapter V: Fearful Symmetry
  2. ↑ Watchmen: The End Is Nigh
  3. ↑ Chapter II: Absent Friends