The closing pages of DC Universe: Rebirth #1 revealed that characters from Alan Moore and David Gibbons‘ Watchmen series had somehow interfered with the DC heroes and stolen years of history from the New 52 superheroes. This fall, Superman may finally get some answers from the godlike Doctor Manhattan when they meet in Doomsday Clock, a new event miniseries.
SyfyWire broke the news that writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank will reunite for Doomsday Clock, but it won’t be the typical crossover tale. Johns was quick to note that it is not a sequel to Watchmen and it won’t be “watered down” by one-shots or tie-in miniseries. “It is something else,” Johns said. “It is Watchmen colliding with the DC Universe. It is the most personal and most epic, utterly mind-bending project I have ever worked on in my career.”
He added,”[I] always thought there was a Manhattan/Superman story to be told, but then … it grew … At the core of it, there’s a being who has lost his humanity, and distanced himself from it, and an alien who embodies humanity more than most humans.”
Johns went on to note that there will be other DC characters besides Superman in the comic, but the primary focus will be on Doctor Manhattan. The story will explore why he’s come to the DC universe, and how his agenda affects Superman.
It seems safe to assume that both Batman and the Flash will play a part in Doomsday Clock, considering the current crossover story “The Button,” which has examined the mystery of who put the Comedian’s button in the Batcave. It really isn’t Doctor Manhattan’s style to play games like that, which suggests that someone else is also manipulating events, or possibly warning the heroes.
The recent Superman Rebirth story also established that the New 52 Superman and the pre-Flashpoint Superman, as well as Lois Lane, were apparently split in two by Doctor Manhattan’s actions. This could mean that more heroes in the DC universe were also split, leading to the question of where their counterparts are.
Another lingering subplot is Mr. Oz, a character that many fans believe to be Ozymandias from Watchmen. Mr. Oz has kidnapped Tim Drake, Doomsday, and other key individuals since DC Rebirth began, and resolution to that thread is overdue.
You can read the rest of Johns’ comments about Doomsday Clock on SyfyWire, which includes some pretty big spoilers from The Flash #22, the final chapter of “The Button” crossover.
Doomsday Clock #1 will be released in November.
Are you excited to see the DC superheroes encounter the characters from Watchmen? Let’s discuss in the comment section below!
Images: DC Comics
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