Back in May of 2016, DC released DC Universe Rebirth, a one-shot that kicked-started the Rebirth era. The end of that issue teased the coming of the Watchmen into the main DCU. Upon hearing the news, Alan Moore put an eldritch curse on Geoff Johns and the rest of us speculated what this could mean and what was next. DC vs Watchmen? A new Crisis? Not exactly. Jump to November 2017 when Geoff Johns and Gary Frank’s Doomsday Clock is unleashed unto the world.
Since issue one the series has been met with generally positive reviews. Of course there will be Moore/Watchmen purists who would rather Watchmen stay untouched, but DC likes making money. Lest we forget the Rorschach Toaster. Seriously, look it up. The twelve issue series started as a slow burn, introducing us to new characters while fan favorites meet each other in what we only thought could happen in fanfic. Ten issues in and we are gearing up for – hey wait a minute….if the series in 12 issues and it started in November of 2017 shouldn’t it be done by now? Technically, yeah. Wasn’t the end of Doomsday Clock going to bring back all of my favorites that the New 52 wiped away from existence? Yep. And what about the—Yes!
Delays are no new thing to comics. They suck but are sometimes unavoidable. Watchmen even had delays and missed a few months, taking a little over a year to finish. Even worse was Camelot 3000’s inconsistent release schedule. Yes, the argument can be made that there is more riding on Doomsday Clock as a large event that will have ramifications that effect the whole DCU but you can’t rush good art/writing.
If you haven’t already go pick up Doomsday Clock and look at Gary Frank’s art and tell me it isn’t worth the wait. And now you’re probably telling me “But Chris, Bendis is bringing back the Legion of Super-Heroes and Snyder has plans for the JSA!” True. Let’s file all of that under “Best laid plans”. Doomsday Clock should have finished by now and we would have a big rah rah return of the LOSH and JSA but DC can’t wait forever, which goes against the whole patience thing I’m preaching here but stay with me.
I don’t think LOSH and JSA returning before the end of Doomsday Clock ruins the ending or spoils it. What I’m asking for is patience for good comics. I’m happy that DC hasn’t stepped in to add a co-writer or fill-in artist to meet deadlines. Doomsday Clock is too important to rush. So stick with it and you’ll be rewarded. And how often do we get genuine surprises in comics these days? I have no idea what’s coming in the final two issues but I’m excited to find out…whenever we get them.