Review: Doomsday Clock #7

How do you follow a masterpiece? Some would argue the best way is by creating something new rather than rehashing the great work of others, which is why many disagreed with the idea of DC returning to the world of the Watchmen yet again with Doomsday Clock. That sentiment is understandable, however arguing that point now is moot as we are now seven issues into this twelve issue series. The more important question now has the purpose behind this series been built to a point where even the most cynical critic could at least appreciate the approach creators Geoff Johns and Gary Frank have put together.

For a series that was first hinted at over two years ago during the beginning of DC“s Rebirth, it is odd that so far it has been less concerned with explaining the reasons for the latest universe reboot and more focused on doing a straightforward sequel to the original Watchmen. That is beginning to change with this issue as some major turning points are starting to emerge. Taking place right after the events of the last issue The Comedian and Batman are still held captive by the Joker, Mime, and Marionette. Within this exchange, we see that Johns and Frank are not shying away from bringing the brutality. It is not done simply for shock value as it continues this amalgamation of these two universes. Not just through the traversing characters but also how the DC world is entering into a similarly chaotic state as the original Watchmen world. The world is again on the brink of war and this time it is not simply nuclear weapons but superheroes causing tensions to rise.

In a way, this approaches the elephant in the room of this entire idea that goes outside the confines of the narrative and into how Watchmen has majorly influenced the medium itself. How its success along with The Dark Knight Returns made 1986 the year comics changed. Where things began to become darker and more adult to attract the same audience and attention those landmark series did. Even today comics feel like they are still very much in that same shadow and we have yet to enter a new age. As this story progresses this series seems to want to put itself in a place to change that fact.

The bulk of this issue is dedicated to Ozymandias and Rorschach“s search to find Doctor Manhattan. Utilizing one of the DC universe’s most powerful tools Ozymandias believes he will finally be able to locate the one person who could save both worlds. It is a search that will challenge all involved. Challenges not of the physically threatening kind rather ones where the element of truth will be unavoidable. They deal with truths that are unknown, truths that have been purposely avoided, and one truth that reveals that much of what has been manufactured thus far is based on a lie.

What that makes even more evident is how challenging a series like this is to fully review. So much is still unknown you are not even sure where we are exactly within this story or what the ultimate purpose will be. To Geoff Johns“s credit he has morphed his style to mimic that of Alan Moore and at most times it works, but every so often a moment occurs that does not fully ring true. An example of that happens here involving the Joker where a forceful joke is made that makes sense for the character but not this story. It was like hearing a fart joke in the middle of a Stanley Kubrick movie. Seeing DC and Watchmen characters within the same page is surreal enough when drastic tonal shifts like that occur it can take you out of the story and reinforce the reasons they have been separated for so long.

If Johns“s work falters Gary Frank and the entire art team is typically there to settle the missteps. Frank is doing career work here that can make you forgive the series prolonged schedule. Brad Anderson“s colors have been the linchpin to this entire book thus far. He constructed a palette that is reminiscent of John Higgins“s iconic look without being too overtly derivative. Contrasting green and blue is a common occurrence in this issue for reasons that become quickly apparent, and the use of purple and yellow is continuously striking against otherwise bleak moments. These are creators who seem to understand the responsibility of taking on this project and the weight that is carried with it and are doing everything they can to live up to that responsibility.

Final Thoughts:

Those who have been waiting for Doomsday Clock to approach the premise it promised will be happy to see this issues marks what feels like the beginning of the third act. The pieces on the board have settled into their places and now the major moves have started. Minus a few missteps, it is still remarkable how well the worlds of DC and Watchmen have morphed into a chaotic singularity. What will be done with that fact is still not fully clear, but watching this series take shape has been a tremendous joy.

[yasr_overall_rating]

Writer: Geoff Johns

Artist: Gary Frank

Colorist: Brad Anderson

Publisher: DC Comics

Author Profile

Daniel Clark

A fan of all things comics. Growing up on a healthy diet of 90's Batman and X-Men cartoon series ignited a love for the medium that remains strong today.