The critically acclaimed series by the renowned team of writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank marches toward its conclusion. In this penultimate issue, the truth behind "Rebirth" is revealed as Batman searches for the one person he believes can help him save the world...Rorschach!
A detailed and SPOILER-FREE Review
The issue debates the forces of faith and disbelief. I haven't seen a world brimmed with so much darkness since Moore's Watchmen. This isn't what DC stands for BUT that's what Johns WANTS us to see. His thesis in this issue is that superheroes are there to breathe through that darkness, that is, to inspire; and it's up to us whether to have faith in them OR to have disbelief. The events that transpire throughout the issue begs one to question the understanding of what it means to have superheroes in the world, and if they are efficient--and worthwhile--truths for us to better comprehend the world and each other. Johns writes these characters with such human stark and grace that you'll find yourself feeling and confronting sentiments you've never experienced before in reading a comic-book. The perfect song for this issue is Mozart's Introitus. It's a very beautiful and sinister issue. Needless to say, this type of material is sure to be taught in academia (a few examples where you'll find this stuff being taught: English Interpretation, Positive Psychology, Cultural Philosophy, and even Social Politics).
As I said, no spoilers here, but the ending of this issue is damn near biblical. It will convince those people that are calling Doomsday Clock "cheap fanfic" to question their verdict. Doomsday Clock is truly the "second coming" of a great comic book and a call to arms for another golden age of superhero comic books.
My only tiny negative is that A LOT of stuff happens in this issue. It's a tiny thing because I can see someone making the argument that Johns is commenting on what superhero writers always have to do every now and again, which is explain what's happening, what's going on, who are these characters--so on and so forth. Which isn't a far-fetched argument, honestly. Mainstream critics have caught on that each Doomsday Clock issue comments on a facet of society and comics--and so much more. To give a few examples: Issue 9 commented on this crisis that every comic book event must have and how it's just futile (and Dr. Manhattan proves that when he incapacitates every superhero who goes to Mars). Then there's issue 10 that comments on retcons... The list goes on and on.
This is high art
I have faith that Johns will deliver in issue 12 and if he doesn't, well, read the quote by Theodore Roosevelt, the one that appears at the end of issue 3 of Doomsday Clock. Whatever happens in issue 12 Johns can go to the grave being the one writer to have dared. That's his ace in the hole.
As for my boy Gary Frank...the dude is killing it in every single panel. Protip: Buy yourself a magnifying glass (I'm serious) because some panels are riddled with so much articulated detail that you'd be surprised by what you find.
Calling it right now: Next issue is going to be about love (Superman) versus apathy (Dr. Manhattan). But I'd recommend you don't read any user or mainstream reviews until after you've read the issue. It's the last issue and I think you'd want to savor every sense that comes with that notion.
Peace.
© 2025
Hi Danyy, Nice overall review. But, I was scrolling down the following comic reviews and I've noticed that some are quite underwhelmed by this issue of Doomsday clock. Some of them suggest that the story itself was largely an info-dump, and revealed some of the pacing problems. So, I'm curious to ask, Do you find the same problems as well or you see it differently?
And, sorry for misspelling your name.
Hi Arslan, Although issue 11 summarizes the entire thing it IS needed in order to set up the final, paramount conversation between Superman and Dr. Manhattan. I was afraid how Johns was going to pull it off but he did it gracefully through Veidt, which fits Veidt's arrogance and ego. I read the issue and I personally didn't find it too slow or too fast, and while some see it as an info-dump, I see it as a villain's psychology at play "See what you want to see" - Rorschach II
Humm... Interesting. Its kinda funny though, due to this issue some are quite scared about the Final issue. I Hope Geoff johns delivers a proper conclusion.
Like I said in my review:" I have faith that Johns will deliver in issue 12 and if he doesn't, well, read the quote by Theodore Roosevelt, the one that appears at the end of issue 3 of Doomsday Clock. Whatever happens in issue 12 Johns can go to the grave being the one writer to have dared. That's his ace in the hole." Issue 12 is slated for this Nov. We'll just have to wait and see.