DC’s Doomsday Clock And Its Saga Of Overcoming Criticism To Present Something New
Doomsday Clock is a comic book which has become known for two things: a great and gripping story along with an erratic release schedule. But it wasn’t always the case.
Doomsday Clock Came Under Criticism In The Beginning
The sequel to Watchmen, Doomsday Clock was announced in 2017. But there wasn’t a lot of excitement behind it. In fact, there was downright disdain for it. Most of it stemmed from the original Watchmen creators Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons and John Higgins not having anything to do with it. They actually weren’t even made aware that their story was going to continue in a new limited edition series helmed by Geoff Johns, Gary Frank and Brad Anderson.
Moore himself is also averse to any spinoffs or continuation of his work. In an interview with cbr, he had said:
“The reason why Watchmen was such an extraordinary book during its time, was that it was constructed upon literary lines. It had a beginning, it had a middle, and it had an end. It wasn’t constructed as an endless soap opera that would run until everybody ran out of interest in it.”
Doomsday Clock Has Won The Hearts Of Its Critics
As such fans rallied behind Moore’s sentiment and against what seemed like a desperate attempt for cash by DC. But inspite of having an inconsistent release schedule, Doomsday Clock has proven itself to be a great story. It is attempting to piece together all the puzzles of DC’s Multiverse. Judging by the critical and fan reviews, this story is a bonafide hit.
In 2017, speaking at a panel in San Diego Comic Con International, Johns said:
“I believe in [Doomsday Clock], and we’re going to tell the best damn story we can.”
He also said that it celebrated the entire history of the DC Universe and he wanted Watchmen, specifically Doctor Manhattan, to be a big part of DC Universe: Rebirth.
Doomsday Clock surely tells its own story and it establishes its own voice without venturing into the grimdark atmosphere of Watchmen. While the series has its tragic moments but there is also an undercurrent of hope running through as well. But the biggest problem for it seems to be its erratic release schedule since Johns is busy with films, TV and as such is having trouble sticking to deadlines.
No release date has been announced for Doomsday Clock #12.
To refresh your memory on what happened in Doomsday Clock #11, click on the video below:
(Source: cbr.com and screenrant.com)
