Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    Doomsday Clock #12
    Review

    Doomsday Clock #12 (of 12) Review

    Matthew PetersonBy Matthew PetersonDecember 24, 2019No Comments4 Mins Read

    It’s the climax two years in the making: Superman Vs. Doctor Manhattan! Your Major Spoilers review of Doomsday Clock #12 awaits!

    DOOMSDAY CLOCK #12

    Writer: Geoff Johns
    Artist: Gary Frank
    Colorist: Brad Anderson
    Letterer: Rob Leigh
    Editor: Brian Cunningham
    Publisher: DC Comics
    Cover Price: $5.99
    Release Date: December 18, 2019

    Previously in Doomsday Clock: The final showdown between Dr. Manhattan and Superman shakes up the DC Universe to its very core! But can even the Man of Steel walk out from the shadow of Manhattan?

    QUESTIONS ANSWERED, NEW WORLDS UNLOCKED

    We open with the moment that this entire series has been building to: Superman and Doctor Manhattan, face to face in the streets, while the heroes of the world rally to defeat an attacker that they think is Superman. “I’m the one you’re going to destroy. Or I’m the one who’s going to destroy everything,” Manhattan intones, which… is actually the problem with the book. Batman and Rorschach have a deep conversation (with a rare admission of failure by the Bat), while heroes from other lands arrive to try and punish Superman. Then, Doctor Manhattan waves his hands, and everything ends… until it doesn’t. The Metaverse reforms and the story reveals that all of this has been taking place on Earth-1985. And then, Superman’s backup arrives, in the form of the Justice Society of America and the Legion of Super-Heroes!

    REMARKABLY EFFECTIVE

    Much like ‘Multiversity’ or the last issues of Final Crisis, much of the second half of this issue is expository dialogue and setup, establishing that the pre-Crisis multiverse (Earth-2 specifically) still exists, as does Earth-52 (which should be obvious) and each other reality, all designed to protect and preserve every era of Superman. The upcoming 5G line is mentioned as coming into existance in the year 2026, and the child of Marionette and Mime is established as an important figure, once again sent from his world to find a home on another one. There are some truly impressive moments here, and I’d be lying if I said that the sight of Superman, the JSA and the LSH leaping into battle together wasn’t impressive, and there are a lot of story hooks that could bring about some really great stuff for DC in the future. The problem comes in how long it took to get here, not just in terms of production delays or lateness, but in the fact that there was only about four issues worth of actual story in the twelve issues of ‘Doomsday Clock’.

    BOTTOM LINE: LEX LUTHOR SAID A CURSE WORD!

    I will say that Gary Frank did a wonderful job on the art this issue, which for whatever reason gives a much more textured and cross-hatched look, reminiscent of Joe Kubert, with no trace of the crazy-eyes problem that I’ve found in previous works. He makes the brand-new Legion designs look great, and the pages are full of cameos by characters like Tundra, Vostok-X and hordes of other guys that we haven’t seen in years. Plus, his Superman expressions do much of the dramatic heavy-lifting, especially when paired with Jon Osterman’s endless monologues. Doomsday Clock #12 is a solid climax and an improvement over the middle six-or-so issues, and while it doesn’t quite justify the entire run of the book, it sticks the landing well enough that future readers will find much satisfaction in the final chapter, earning a better-than-average 3.5 out of 5 stars overall. Had this book been able to get it’s central thesis in play earlier or perhaps been half as long, it could have been legendary, but at least it’s head-and-shoulders above ‘Before Watchmen’ in the unnecessary sequels department.


    Dear Spoilerite,

    At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.

    DOOMSDAY CLOCK #12

    73%
    73%
    Some Remarkable Moments

    The only reason this was twelve issues was the Watchmen parallels, but the parts of it that work, work really well and give you the requisite goosebump moments. It's good to see the Legion and JSA back.

    • Writing
      6
    • Art
      8
    • Coloring
      8
    • User Ratings (1 Votes)
      3
    dc comics Doomsday Clock Gary Frank Geoff Johns Review Watchmen
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleAconyte Books announces Legend of the Five Rings book by Josh Reynolds
    Next Article Major Spoilers Question of the Day: Holiday Special Edition
    Matthew Peterson
    • Website
    • Twitter

    Once upon a time, there was a young nerd from the Midwest, who loved Matter-Eater Lad and the McKenzie Brothers... If pop culture were a maze, Matthew would be the Minotaur at its center. Were it a mall, he'd be the Food Court. Were it a parking lot, he’d be the distant Cart Corral where the weird kids gather to smoke, but that’s not important right now... Matthew enjoys body surfing (so long as the bodies are fresh), writing in the third person, and dark-eyed women. Amongst his weaponry are such diverse elements as: Fear! Surprise! Ruthless efficiency! An almost fanatical devotion to pop culture! And a nice red uniform.

    Related Posts

    COMICS PORTAL: Con Season 2022 Is Fully Underway!

    Read More

    Rivers of London: Deadly Ever After #1 Review

    Read More

    The Marvels #10 Review

    Read More

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    8.0
    May 23, 2022

    Rivers of London: Deadly Ever After #1 Review

    7.7
    May 23, 2022

    The Marvels #10 Review

    8.7
    May 22, 2022

    Immortal X-Men #2 Review

    5.0
    May 22, 2022

    Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins III #6 Review

    7.3
    May 21, 2022

    The Blue Flame #8 Review

    Patreon Support
    Major Spoilers Store
    Recent Comments
    • Tim Pervious on Retro Review: Captain America Annual #8 (September 1986)
    • Daniel Langsdale on PREVIEW: Blood Syndicate: Season One #1
    • Jonathan Cadotte on So You Want To Read Comics: Legendary Edition
    • Frank on So You Want To Read Comics: Legendary Edition
    • Matthew Peterson on Ten Super “Powers”
    Subscribe to the Major Spoilers E-Mail List
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    ComiXology Home Page">
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2022 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.