A few inches either way determines the fate of universes.
Creative Staff:
Story: Geoff Johns
Art: Gary Frank
Colors: Brad Anderson
Letterer: Rob Leigh
What They Say:
This is it! The final showdown between Dr. Manhattan and Superman shakes up the DC Universe to its very core! But can even the Man of Steel walk out from the shadow of Manhattan?
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Far too long after it started, Doomsday Clock draws to a close. With it, Geoff Johns brings Superman fully into the central role of why the DC Universe exists in general. While Batman may be a more popular character depending on who you talk to and do better in other media, the existence of Superman is the existence of DC. With that in mind, Gary Frank gets to bring to life a couple of different versions of the character here, among others, so that we get a pretty exciting book in a way that covers parts of Crisis on Infinite Earths but more as an educational book than an action on. Franky has long delighted in his ability to capture these vert different versions and I really like what he does across this book.
There isn’t so much story as there is exposition here and to me it feels more like a justification for the past events and planning for what’s to come. Several are, in fact, dated for the next few years and through at least 2038, though those are easier to ignore since the next five years or so are the only ones that make sense to actively plan for as a business dealing with storytelling. It’s interesting enough as it sets for the relaunch, reboot, 5G and so forth to bring us into the next generation of heroes but also how it’ll bring Superman and the others back into their place of prominence as well. Shared universe storytelling where IP not being able to fall into disuse is a complicated problem because you can let things change only so much before you have to wrap it all up and launch anew once again. I don’t actually mind it and it’s one of the reasons I’m still reading DC since Crisis whereas I don’t read any Marvel at all now.
The main point of interest for me with it was watching how Dr. Manhattan has realized that the existence of Superman is the launching point for what’s needed in creating these generations, which will culminate in his time in the 31st century some day being the final launching point as they’re the needed result of his existence. Watching the way his past has changed and creates new timelines/post-Crisis existence is interesting, as its Manhattan’s creation of one himself, and the general Metaverse as talked about has an appeal. But it’s all by the numbers, talked about and explained with a few visual nods, and not much more than that. Though Batman may be more popular or merchandisable, Superman being placed squarely at the center here as to key importance to the existence of all delights me and seeing that unfold tickles a particular fancy for me.
In Summary:
Doomsday Clock is a project that will be looked at for years and examined in a lot of different ways because of how it unfolded. With the delays, changes, the meta-aspect of it all, it felt like it started with huge importance amid the Rebirth phase but comes out with a whimper here where I suspect there may be something that’s being missed entirely that will make it important later. I enjoyed this issue and parts of others but there were so many side movements and plots and characters that I lost track of its goal as it progressed and that turned it into a chore at times to get through. Even more so because of the delays. I did enjoy just about every panel of Franks’ work and it made me want him to work on some classic books with new stories. But in the end, I’m just glad that it’s done and have hope that DC is moving forward and delivering more of what people are looking for.
Grade: B
Age Rating: 15+
Released By: DC Comics via ComiXology
Release Date: December 18th, 2018
MSRP: $5.99
