Title: Doomsday Clock Part 2.
Writer(s): Geoff Johns.
Artist(s): Gary Frank.
Colourist(s): Brad Anderson.
Letterer(s): Rob Leigh.
Publisher: DC Comics.
Format: Hardcover.
Release Date: May 12th, 2020.
Pages: 232.
Genre(s): Comics, Science-Fiction.
ISBN13: 9781779501189.
My Overall Rating: ★★★★☆.
Recommended reading order:
Watchmen by Alan Moore.
DC Universe Rebirth #1 by Geoff Johns.
Batman/The Flash (Vol. 3.5): The Button by Tom King.
Superman Reborn (Vol. 3.5) by Dan Jurgens and Peter J. Tomasi.
Superman: Action Comics: The Oz Effect (Vol. 4.5) by Dan Jurgens.
Batman: Detective Comics (Vol. 5): A Lonely Place of Living by James Tynion IV.
Doomsday Clock Part 1 by Geoff Johns.
Was it wise of DC Comics to split this major event story in two? It was time to find out in this second volume if the decision was wise and if, at least, as a whole, anything makes more sense. After all, it is clear that this second volume now carries the burden of justification, one of its own existence with the hopes of having a resolution and finale that can capitalize on the potential of a universe where the heroes of Watchmen can live among those of the DC Universe. The task remains large as the story now requires an explanation as to why, where, when, who, and how the Watchmen universe ended up reaching their hands into the DC Universe and manipulating the subtle yet powerful threads that exist within the ever-evolving multiverse. As the mystery unfolds, Geoff Johns and Gary Frank’s vision become much more visible and something promising might just be around the corner.
What is Doomsday Clock Part 2 about? Picking up where the previous volume ended, the search continues for Dr. Manhattan as we discover that his arrival in the DC Universe might in fact be due to his curiosity in the Man of Tomorrow. With Ozymandias, the Comedian, Rorschach, Mime, and Marionette now on his trail, each drawn into a web of lies and deceit, the heroes of the DC Universe find themselves struggling with their own impending war amidst the Supermen Theory. Collecting the second half of this twelve-issue limited series, Doomsday Clock offers readers the chance to revel in the collision of two universes where the end is near and the future is unpredictable.
If there’s one lesson to take home from this series, it’s to not split your experience in two and just pick up the complete edition instead. This second volume offers us a much more satisfying resolution to this event by reminding us the power of creativity that possesses legendary writer Geoff Johns. In this volume, the long-awaited confrontations between iconic characters happen with ingenuity as these characters’ potential is fully actualized in their most genuine splendour. The revelations regarding the purpose behind Dr. Manhattan’s odyssey is what ultimately offers this story-arc the authenticity and relevance it desperately sought. This wasn’t just about re-introducing classic characters to fans who are well-versed in the DC lore. This time around, there is an attempt to build on each of the Watchmen characters and offer them a ray of hope, a chance of redemption, while also giving the DC Universe a proper reminder of what makes their history so special. The ending, in fact, also offers a glimpse into the past, present, and future of the DC Universe.
When it comes to the artwork, it continues to be stellar from start to finish. Artist Gary Frank offers us an incredible and consistent display of raw artistic talent as he continues to draw inspiration on Dave Gibbons’ original masterpiece to create a pseudo-sequel to Watchmen that feels genuine. Colourist Brad Anderson also adds a splash of colour that simply brings life to this series and captures the heart and essence of Watchmen through it. Some of the best moments in this story are also seen in the splash pages that make for memorable moments that are twists in themselves in how the tone of this story is supposed to be. Although the first volume hinted at an existential dread, this one presents an homage to superheroes and their rich history filled with hope. It is also worth mentioning the couple of additional pages found at the end of each issue are original in themselves and give insight on the world-building that would otherwise be impossible to obtain through the story.
Doomsday Clock Part 2 is an original and inspiring second-parter offering fans the chance to see hope and a potential conciliation between universes.
Thank you Penguin Random House Canada for sending me a copy for review!
Roars and Echoes 
Well would you see that? What was lacking in the first book is now here! I am glad this one was much more to your liking Lashaan!
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Yep. I’m sure fans will enjoy this one much more if both parts were together, or at least read back to back with no judgement on each volume hahah Thanks for reading, Sophie! 😀
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These posts of your’s are beginning to seriously hurt my wallet. He’s beginning to blame you for it. No worries though, I never listen to my wallet, so you shouldn’t do so either😂
Seriously though, as you know I’m not the biggest DC fan, but these posts definitely are beginning to turn me around on the way I once thought about DC. Once again the art for this one looks incredible. Fantastic post as always!
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Hahahaah as long as those purchases make you happy and entertain you ever time you visit them, no worries! 😀 How are the local comic book shops around your neighbourhood by the way? Did that one place (I think there was only one??) survive the pandemic? 😮
Glad that I can see convince you that DC has a lot of fantastic material whenever you’re ready to tackle more of it. 😉 Thanks for reading as always, my man. Always fun to interact with you. 😀
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Honestly? I have no clue. I’ve been pretty much at home the past few months and didn’t visit any comic shops. So no real clue how they are doing. Hopefully next year things will settle down again, as I definitely miss shopping for things like that (online is just not the same 😢). Always a pleasure to talk to you as well!😀
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Fab review Lashaan!
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Thank you so much, Nicki! I appreciate it a lot! 😀
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Very glad to hear it ended on a higher note than it began. Good thing you didn’t have to wait a year between the two.
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I actually collected this series as single issues as they released though. 😉 For those who only read these collected volumes… well… the wait was from October 2019 to May 2020. Almost 7-8 months! 😮
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This review style is a wonder to behold. You have a way with words and conveying insight to these works that is uncanny.
Thanks for these awesome reviews!
Happy Trails!
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Well, shucks. Thanks, Icky. I appreciate the support and kind words. It’s always a nice boost to my ego to hear this from you, my friend. Take care! 😀
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Great review, Lashaan! It’s great you enjoyed this volume and didn’t have to wait long to read it.
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Thanks, Yesha! Indeed. 😉 I’m just glad that the second half of this series compensated for the shortcomings of the first.
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What was the reason for the part split?
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They probably wanted to release a first volume as soon as possible (make more money that way too??) as the final issues of the second volume were being released. There were some delays as each individual issues came out, especially towards the end.
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I’m glad you mentioned the money issue. Whenever I say that, it seems like people are shocked that could be a reason.
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I do not have a lot of patience, so having to wait for the second half of a story would be frustrating for me. Great review Lashaan. I love your final comment.
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I definitely understand that! Just like people waiting for those sequels that seem doomed to never release! Thanks for reading, Carla! 😀
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Hmm… I’m tentatively sold. If it’s going to turn out badly, I’ll know who to blame! 😂😂😂
Fab review, Lashaan, and I’m happy to hear that the second part was so much better than the first! 😀
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Hahahaha I’ll gladly take the blame here. I doubt it’s anything like Azzarello’s take on some of your favourite Watchmen characters. 😉 Thanks for reading, Ola! 😀
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Great stuff Lashaan and glad to hear things picked up for you in the second volume. Again, DC already have the complete collected edition solicited so I wonder how many will have hung out for that, or just picked up the two volumes once both were available? I read it in single issues which, given some of the huge delays between the later issues, was a bit of a disjointed experience – so I decided to get the Part 1 and Part 2 hardcovers and read them together. A much better experience!
I don’t think Doomsday Clock necessarily HAD to exist but I’m sort of glad it does – I doubt it’s going to be regarded as a modern classic or even remembered all that prominently in years to come but I enjoyed the work that Geoff Johns and Gary Frank created and it did a great job of melding the world and characters with the awesome DCU.
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I collected them as single issues too but, like you, because of the delay, I sort of didn’t dare go through them until they were properly released, but by then, these collected editions came out so I figured it would be better to go through them instead of inflicting myself a choppy experience.
I agree though. It doesn’t have that much quintessential’ness to it. It’s pretty decent for what it wanted to achieve but it’s doesn’t have as many thought-provoking concepts as the original Watchmen. It was indeed a nice way to make both worlds coexist together. Remains to be seen if future Watchmen projects won’t tarnish things though hahah
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Wait WHATS MAN OF TOMORROW?!? Sounds interesting!! 😍😍😍
Ozymandias? Like…the poem?
Ahhh!! It’s good that they focused on building every single character in this one, Lashaan! I mean, if there’s one thing I hate is when the authors spend too much time honing and developing the man characters and completely forget about the others that populate their world – ITS SUPER ANNOYING – and feels awkward and offf!!!
Heyyyy!! Those images reminded me of thsi super cool Joker Funko releasing by the end of this month!! ITS SOOO COLORFUL AND COOL!! 😍😍😍 Did you see it??!
Welll…I absolutely ADORED this review, Lashaan! And I also love how you included the reading order because…when the time comes, the bells chime, and the winds howl – watching me walk down the street, entering the book store and buying these marvellous comics, your posts will definitely come in handy! 🤣😉🌟
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Man of Tomorrow is another nickname for Superman. 😉 And yes, referring to that very Ozymandias. 😀 I agree. Lots of fun when everyone gets their time to shine! It’s always a shame when secondary characters we love don’t get to play a lot. 😉
Ouuh sounds cool! I’ll look it up. I know a friend who collects them and would probably love it too. 😀
Thanks for reading, Rain. It’s okay if you don’t pick these up but if the craving is ever there, you’ll know what to look for now. 😉
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