Review: Doomsday Clock #11
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Gary Frank
Colors: Brad Anderson
Reviewed by: Cameron Tevis
Summary
The world is in chaos. The superheroes of Earth have left. Either they went to Mars to locate the mysterious power source or they sought sanctuary in the country of Kahndaq. After the earlier events in Russia, world-wide support for Superman is at an all-time low. Batman and Alfred realize the crazed writings of Rorschach were all true.
Two years ago, Lex Luthor stumbled upon clues that could answer all questions since the appearance of Wally West. He shares his findings with Lois Lane.
Ozymandias’ true plan and intentions begin to rise to the surface. He proves to be every bit the genius he’s known for and just as diabolical.
Superman awakens and sets out to make things right.
Positives
After reaching the penultimate issue, what more can I possibly say about Gary Frank’s artwork that I haven’t already said? Each issue has been nothing short of stunning. From detailed line-work to the characters emotions, his artwork is among the best I’ve ever seen in a comic book. It is gorgeous and brings this story to life like no other artist can.
Since Green Lantern Rebirth I have been an avid Geoff Johns fan, but with Doomsday Clock he has topped himself as a writer. He begins to slowly tie up the loose ends and begins answering questions that have come up since the beginning of DC Rebirth. Along the way, he reminds us just how intelligent Ozymandias and Lex Luthor both are while getting us hyped for the final showdown between Superman and Doctor Manhattan.
Negatives
Many people have complained about the issues being so late. While I can agree it’s a bummer to wait, I don’t see it as a major negative. Each issue has proven to be worth the wait. I prefer quality over something rushed.
That being said, the true downside to this series is that each new issue reminds the readers how far DC Comics has strayed from the original Rebirth initiative. The hope DC promised from Rebirth is gone. Superman and Action Comics are a mess and the progress of the character has been erased by Bendis. Aquaman is out of character and reads more like some trashy romance novel.  Don’t even get me started on King’s Batman or what he’s done to Wally West. Hal Jordan is out of character while the emotional spectrum is all but gone. Perhaps worst of all is that Scott Snyder was able to re-introduce the Justice Society without the true story being revealed in Doomsday Clock first.
I have loved every issue of Doomsday Clock and the sad negative is that the rest of the DC Universe seems to be falling apart and this and Hawkman are the only two that remind me how great DC can be.
Verdict
This series has been as close to perfect as a series can be. It reminds us how much Geoff Johns did for DC when he was CCO and how far they’ve strayed without him in that role.  Johns loves these characters and it is obvious in everything he writes. The readers appreciate that because they have that same love for these characters. The newer writers seem more concerned with deconstructing the characters and making a name for themselves through pure shock value than making a quality story by playing off the characters qualities and strengths. Change is good and inevitable, but there is no reason to disregard longstanding fans by shaking things up just to attract a newer, younger audience. You can have the old and new audience alike.
I anxiously await the final issue, but it will be bittersweet knowing that it most likely ends the direction for DC that I have enjoyed the most in over 35 years of reading them. If the series ends as powerfully as the rest of the series has been, then this will be as memorable a series as The Dark Knight Returns, Crisis on Infinite Earths and the original Watchmen.
