Doomsday Clock #1

Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Gary Frank

Before Reading: 

My suggestion to you is to go back and read the DC Rebirth one shot before diving into this one. While you are at it, go back and read all of the DC rebirth titles. Kidding! After a year or so of anticipation Doomsday Clock has finally arrived. The DC universe will be crossing over with the Watchman universe. The mysteries of the DC Rebirth one shot finally explained! Because of the implications of this one, I don't want to spoil much from it. Geoff Johns decides to take on Watchman.

During reading:

We are treated to some interesting, but harsh monologue to open the book. The first half deals with the Watchman side of this story, and the second part begins incorporating elements from the DC universe. The issue is filled with some pretty big reveals and a nice moment with Superman. By the end of the issue, readers are intrigued to say the least.

After Reading:

I wasn't sure what to expect this one. I am not one of the fans that views Watchman as untouchable, but I do respect it for what it did for the comics medium and rank it very high as one of my favorite pieces of fiction. However, when I say that I don't view it as untouchable, I am referring to the idea that when stories are good, they are good. If someone can take these characters and tell a fantastic story with them, they should be supported in doing so. The verdict is still out on whether or not this will be a story worth being told with these characters, but I encourage even the fans who are downright angry about them being used in DC canon at least take a peak at the first few issues of the series. The worst that happens is the story ends up not being any good. I think it really boils down to separating the stories if need be. If this event ends up tanking and I loathe it, I can still go back and read Watchman as a total separate and unconnected story.

Gary Frank is a criminally underrated artist. I realize that his catalog isn't huge yet, but I would argue he is one of the best in the business as of today. Frank has stellar and sometimes really deep line work that helps build some of the best facial expressions in comics today. His anatomical art is easily some of the most accurate, and he draws Superman like no other. In an homage to Watchman, Frank uses the 9 panel layout often here and it looks great!

It is too early to tell what type of story this is going to be, but the first issue gives us some nice little reveals to excite and intrigue the reading audience. The tone is already set and it fits well for the first issue. Johns is a master storyteller and he and Frank are really tacking Watchman head on with this first issue. Whether the way they are approaching it is to your liking; you will have to read it and find out.

8/10

Ha! Superman reads B.F. Skinner