Doomsday Clock #10 by Geoff Johns - Comic Book Review

From the publisher: This stunning issue of the critically acclaimed hit maxiseries reveals the secrets behind Dr. Manhattan and his connection to the DC Universe.

Finally! We finally get the backstory. Geoff Johns uses Doomsday Clock #10 to finally reveal Dr. Manhattan's backstory regarding the DC Rebirth universe, and apparently the previous ones as well. And it was awesome! This story has been slowing unfolding letting various storylines come and go, but issue #9 brought all the heroes together against Manhattan for a battle on the moon. The aftermath of that fight left Manhattan waiting for Superman, and this issue details Manhattan's wait. While he is waiting, he narrates his journey to the Rebirth universe and what he has learned, seen, and done.


*POSSIBLE SPOILERS*


*WARNING: SPOILERS*


*LAST CHANCE: SPOILERS AHEAD!*


Without wanting to spoil too much, I'm going to summarize. Apparently, Superman is the lynch pin of the DC multiverse, or at least of the central earth/main universe. Each reboot or event that DC has had over the years has affected things (obviously). Manhattan wants to see what happens when he does something to the past, and that is how the New 52 reboot happens. Now, he is left waiting for the fallout from his actions.


*END OF SPOILERS*

Johns is a great writer, and has transformed and reinvigorated quite a few DC heroes. He also seems to have an encyclopedic knowledge of DC's history, along with a reverence for it. And I have to say, what he's done with that knowledge and reverence, the Watchmen characters, and an opportunity to clean up a mistake (I'm looking at you, New 52) is nothing short of spectacular. I wasn't sure where he was going with all the many storylines in Doomsday Clock, but I was willing to trust him and go along for the ride. I'm glad I did, too, because issue #10 was totally worth it. The depth of the effort and intelligence that is on display is amazing, as only that could have tied everything from DC's past together so neatly and logically.

I HIGHLY recommmend Doomsday Clock #10 by Geoff Johns. I'm not sure that any prior knowledge of the series is necessary to understand it, but longtime DC Comics fans will surely get more out of it. Johns's writing and plotting is simple amazing, and I would not be surprised if this is the type of issue that wins awards, particularly the Eisner. I cannot wait to see how the final two issues play out, but they will need to reach very high to pass the bar that Johns set with this issue.

I received a preview copy of this book from DC Comics in exchange for an honest review.