ENTERTAINMENT
The Clock is Ticking…
DC Comics: The First Issue of Doomsday Clock Is Full of Surprises.
By Devin Tse | Sports Editor
September 12, 2017
As the Justice League defends the world from a grave threat on the big screen, a sinister entity interferes with the DC Universe’s timeline in the comic books.
Doomsday Clock, a 12-issue deluxe series and one of DC Comics’ biggest comic book storylines ever, serves to unite the DC Comics Universe with the world of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ critically-acclaimed graphic novel, Watchmen.
Watchmen is regarded as one of the most influential comic books of all time and takes a darker approach in the superhero genre, mixing complex psychological themes and philosophical issues.
Taking place in a dystopian United States during the Cold War, the comic follows a decommissioned group of heroes who are called back to action to investigate a conspiracy of the murder of many former heroes, all in the midst of an imminent war.
Doomsday Clock is written by comic legend Geoff Johns, the current Chief Creative Officer and President of DC Comics, whose excellent work on comics like Green Lantern, Aquaman, Flash and Superman makes him one of the best comic book writers of the current generation.
The series is part of DC’s latest initiative, DC Rebirth, a reboot that aims to bring back the classic elements of DC Comics, including old romances and other iconic characters that have fallen out of the limelight, like the original Kid Flash, Wally West, or the Justice Society of America.
In last year’s DC Universe: Rebirth Special #1, it was teased that these missing elements were due to 10 years being stolen from the timeline, weakening the heroes of the DC Universe.
This current universe, called the New 52, gave characters new origins and made them younger and more inexperienced than they were in the past.
The culprit, who will serve as a major antagonist in Doomsday Clock, was none other than Doctor Manhattan who is one of the only superhumans in Watchmen. Doctor Manhattan is gifted with super-genius intelligence, size-altering abilities, telekinesis, teleportation, immortality, and— now— temporal manipulation.
In Doomsday Clock issue #1, we are taken to a world several years after the events of Watchmen— a dystopian society on the brink of nuclear war, with the Soviets invading Poland, North Korean missiles capable of reaching Texas, and hundreds of Americans breaking through the wall to escape into Mexico.
“We shattered the American Dream. This is the American Nightmare,” said Rorschach, a returning character from Watchmen and a fan-favorite because of his strict, brutal moral code and interesting character.
This issue brings back old characters from Watchmen as they search for Doctor Manhattan, the “god who turned his back” and the only one capable of saving the world. Near the last few pages, fans catch a glimpse of the Man of Steel, further cementing the fact that the two universes are connected and hinting that Superman will face Dr. Manhattan.
Doomsday Clock Issue #1 was released on November 22, and upcoming issues will be released every month.
Regardless of if you’re a long-time comic book fan or new to comic books, Doomsday Clock promises to deliver a story full of great writing and beautiful artwork.
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