| Daniel Dreiberg | |
 | |
| Alias(es) | Dan Dreiberg Nite Owl (II) |
| Appeared in | Watchmen |
| Actor | Patrick Wilson |
- "What the hell happened to us? What happened to the American Dream?"
- ―Nite Owl[src]
Daniel 'Dan' Dreiberg was the second man to use the alter ego Nite Owl after Hollis Mason. He was a member of the Watchmen, Rorschach's crime fighting partner and eventual lover to Laurie Juspeczyk.
Biography[]
Watchmen[]
Growing up, Dan was an introvert who was fascinated with birds, mythology, and the crime-fighting exploits of his hero Nite Owl. Upon hearing about Hollis Mason's retirement from crimefighting, Dan wrote to him asking if he could carry on the title. Hollis approved of Dan's request, which lead to him becoming the second man to go by 'Nite Owl'.
Dan eventually teamed up with Rorschach to take on organized crime. Thanks to Rorschach's unpredictability and Dan's tactical brilliance, the dynamic duo were successful in apprehending and defeating several criminals and gangs throughout the city of New York.
Years later, in the height of the Police Strike of 1977, Dan along with the Comedian attempted to speak to protestors, with Dan using Archie as transportation. The mob then responded angrily rejecting costumed heroes and vigilantes being on the streets instead of police. The Comedian eventually responded with violence, beating and shooting civilians in cold blood. While Dan attempted to stop Blake, but it sadly was not effective. Blake stated that heroes and vigilantes are society's only true protection "from themselves". Dan asked Blake about the 'American Dream', to which Blake responded that it came true.
Dan retired from crime fighting not long after, he chose not to reveal his secret identity and kept the past secret. He did stay in touch with Hollis Mason and would often keep him company, with Mason telling old hero stories. Dan also connected with Laurie Juspeczyk, while also maintaining feelings for her. After the death of Edward Blake, Dan was told by Rorschach who had broken into his house. Upon hearing that, Dan went to Adrien Veidt warning him that the rest of the old team could be in danger.
Dan had dinner with Laurie, where they caught up with each other and reminisced about being costumed heroes. During that visit, Laurie talked about how her relationship with Doctor Manhattan had been up and down, while also telling Dan about how nuclear war is more close than what many thought. He also attended Blake's funeral with Veidt, Manhattan and Rorschach.
After Manhattan left in exile, Dan offered Laurie a chance to stay with him for the time being to which she accepted. The two explored their feelings for each other and attempted to make love. However, Dan was not feeling it completely. After having a nightmare, Dan went to his lab, where he expresses how helpless he feels in the face of impending nuclear war. He and Laurie the decided to take up arms once again and experience what the old days were like once again.
Donning their outfits, they took Archie and patrolled New York once again. Eventually discovering a fire at a tenement, they went to the rescue and evacuated everybody from the burning building safely. Being in his Nite Owl persona again revived his confidence, Dan and Laurie then made love in Archie right above the city. Deciding the time had come to act again rather than stand by, Dan and Laurie broke Rorschach out of prison, while beating up the escaping prisoners as well. Afterward, with Laurie being taken to Mars by Manhattan, Dan and Rorschach decided to explore the New York underworld looking for clues on what was really going on.
While interrogating a suspect in a bar, the TV was reporting the murder of Hollis Mason by the Knot Tops. Dan noticed one a member of the gang and assaulting the man with such rage that Rorschach, who despite being known for his brutality in dispatching criminals, had to restrain him. After some further investigating, Dan and Rorschach decided to head to Veidt's fortress in Antarctica.
After arriving and the two of them started attacking Veidt, he revealed his plan to them while also confessing to murdering Edward Blake. While Dan and Rorschach tried to stop him, Veidt reveals that his plan is already in motion. They are eventually joined by Manhattan and Laurie, Dan along with the others, minus Rorschach, reluctantly agrees with Veidt. Citing that the preceding events are preferable to a nuclear holocaust. Rorschach tried to leave to tell the world of the plan but is intercepted by Manhattan, who reluctantly kills him with Dan witnessing the whole confrontation. Dan highly criticized Veidt's plan and he then left with Laurie. Dan then went on to live a potential new life with Laurie.
Watchmen: The End is Nigh[]
To be added
Character Traits[]
Powers and Abilities[]
Equipment[]
- Archimedes/the Owlship
Relationships[]
- Nite Owl II - Hero Identity.
- Laurie Juspeczyk/Silk Spectre II - Lover.
- Hollis Mason/Nite Owl - Precessor/ally.
- Walter Kovacs/Rorschach - Friend/ally.
- Jon Osterman/Doctor Manhattan - Ally.
- Edward Blake/Comedian - Former ally.
- Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias - Former ally turned enemy
- Knot Tops - Enemies.
Appearances/Actors[]
- Canon (1 film)
- Watchmen (First appearance) - Patrick Wilson
- Canon (1 video game)
- Watchmen: The End is Nigh - Patrick Wilson
Gallery[]
