DC Comics teases Superman vs. Dr. Manhattan battle

One of the most elusive mysteries since the launch of DC Comics’ “Rebirth” initiative may finally see some concrete answers coming, as the publisher has announced in its official website that Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns will be making his triumphant return to comics to write a new story called “Doomsday Clock”, with artist Gary Frank and Brad Anderson joining the project.

According to the official press release in DC Comics.com, Doomsday Clock will continue where the Batman/ Flash crossover storyline “The Button” left off and dive into the lingering mystery and connection that the Watchmen universe has in the wake of recent changes to the DC Universe.

“It's time. Last year, the DC Universe confronted the legacy of Watchmen in Rebirth the way Watchmen confronted the legacy of superhero comics three decades ago,” explains writer Geoff Johns. “Thematically, and metaphorically, there was no better choice than to use Dr. Manhattan. If you’re going to have a conflict between optimism and pessimism, a battle between the very forces of hope and despair, you need to have someone who personifies the cynicism that has leaked into our hearts and also has the ability to affect the entire DCU. It’s all paying off this November with DOOMSDAY CLOCK.”

As the first instance and confirmation that the iconic and powerful Dr. Manhattan will indeed make an appearance in the story, Doomsday Clock’s teaser image boasts that signature “minutes to midnight” clock that was prevalent in the critically acclaimed graphic novel story “Watchmen” written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons. Putting Superman’s logo on the midnight dial isn’t a coincidence either, as the Man of Steel plays a prominent role in the story – with the word “Doomsday” all too familiar since it’s the name of the villainous creature that killed The Last Son of Krypton in the 90’s. 

Gary Frank, who teamed up with Geoff Johns in multiple occasions with “Superman: Secret Origin” and “Batman: Earth One Vol. 1 and 2”, is all too excited to be teaming up with his longtime friend and collaborator again for this upcoming DC story. “DOOMSDAY CLOCK is a story for fans who love the DC Universe and Watchmen and want to see what a master of this genre creates when he puts them together,” says Frank. “As for my artistic approach to the series, each panel is extremely detailed and I am constantly thinking through the position of every single element.” 

Doomsday Clock will be released this November 2017. — TJD, GMA News