Review: Doomsday Clock #8 (of 12)

Issue eight of this long running, seemingly endlessly delayed maxi series, sees a range of ulterior “Superman questions” being asked, in what is probably the most easily recognizable nuanced re-interpretation of the original Watchmen series.

With a whopping 97% plus of all meta humans being American born and bred, there is sweeping paranoia of their role on the planet.Â Are they all trustworthy? Is it some sort of government scheme to maybe control the masses?Â As Superman get drawn into the situation; the actions of both the Man of Steel and Firestorm are ran through the fake media mangle, ensuring that all watching are in for a surprise.

Geoff Johns picks up the pace in this issue, seemingly moving past the homage elements that were so prevalent in the earlier books.Â Don’t get me wrong, there are still echoes of the original series on show, but these are well worked into a newer narrative which features Superman and his main weakness; the desire to always be the good guy.Â The story is full of meaningful parts that resonate, with perhaps Superman’s confrontation with the tanks and Firestorm’s newly, but too late, awakened power being the strongest.Â Taking Superman first, I did find it a bit odd that with all his media experience, as Clark, that Superman would allow himself to be so easily manipulated.Â This oddity, fuels the idea that, in this series at least, Superman always wants to be the good guy who is always right, as mentioned above.Â The further inclusion of Firestorm should be less ofÂ a surprise than his appearance in Electric Warriors.Â Logically, he is the only person in the DCU whose power probably matches up to the talked about, if not seen, Doctor Manhattan.Â Whether this similarity has any connection to the bigger picture we will have to wait (and wait) and see.

Gary Frank’s work has been enjoyable for the most part.Â Yet, in this issue, there are some cracks beginning to show.Â With Frank’s ultra real life style, reminiscent of Neal Adams, you can lose some of the dynamism of the action panels, especially as Frank goes for the emotional facial elements. The problem with this stance is that there are occasions on show where the over elaborate inking detracts the eye, distorting the frame and gives the art a rushed look, which is ironic as it is in fact, shipping a week later than planned.Â With the art being in both a Watchman book and DC book, there is the usual nine panel pages that, through repetition in nearly every book, is losing its effectiveness.Â Of course, this isn’t just a problem for Frank; he needs to work from the script given and he isn’t responsible for the numerous emulations.Â Thanks to a lack of credit, I am assuming that colors are again provided by Brad Anderson.Â If that’s the case, then Anderson, equally as much as Johns and Frank, has created a scheme that, despite the higher quality of the production, manages to carry the same vibe as the original series.Â I am assuming that the letters are again provided by Rob Leigh, who does a great job of emphasizing key elements of the various conversations that have their reflections of the real world and of course the original series.

With this issue, it finally feels that we are getting some traction.Â With four issues left, it will interesting to see how Johns will bring the various threads together.Â With more than half the run plotted as set up, we run the risk of having the solutions and conclusions coming thick and fast.Â If that’s the case, then the climax will have to be pretty spectacular to warrant the cost, length and at times pedestrian earlier plotting.Â That’s a problem we will have to deal with over the next eight months.Â As it is, this issue serves the overall pacingÂ well, driving the pace forward as, even in this late stage, there are still questions being asked.

Writing – 4.5 Stars
Art – 3.5 Stars
Colors – 5 Stars

[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

Written by; Geoff Johns
Art by; Gary Frank
Colors by; Brad Anderson
Letters by Rob Leigh
Published by; DC Comics

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network