Doomsday Clock #2 Review
After the first issue of Doomsday Clock brought readers back up to speed with the Watchmen world, as well as laying out the plot for the upcoming issues, everyone wanted to know what was going to happen next. Well, today we have been given the second issue, which kicks the plot off almost immediately. So, how does the second issue of Doomsday Clock follow up on the return to the Watchmen universe?
Story (MAJOR SPOILERS)
The issue starts up where the previous one left off, with The Mime and The Marionette suiting up. We also learn about Ozymandias’s plan to use The Marionette to have Dr. Manhattan save their world. This is because during one of Marionette and Mime’s bank robberies, Dr. Manhattan appeared to stop it. However, he didn’t do anything as he knew that Marionette was pregnant. Ozymandias is hoping to use this moment of tenderness to bring Dr. Manhattan back and to save their world.
However, the crew has to leave immediately as the missiles are fired, and one hits Manhattan. Luckily Archimedes had been repaired and successfully protected the group long enough for them to fly through realities and follow Dr. Manhattan’s trail of electrons. They manage to escape as the other citizens are killed due to the blast.
The scene changes to a ink blot test being taken by Bruce Wayne himself. He leaves the test to meet with Lucius Fox as they discuss Lex Corp’s attempted hostile take over, as well as Gotham’s growing disdain for Batman, which have grown into protests, similar to those that the Minutemen faced.
Archimedes is then shown crashing down from the sky, landing in a seemingly deserted circus. Rorschach and Ozymandias then lock up Marionette and Mime, and decide to explore the city. From there they find a computer and Ozymandias finds the world’s two smartest people to help them with their task, those being Bruce Wayne and Lex Luthor.
Rorschach goes into Wayne Manor to find Bruce, but finds his breakfast instead. After eating the breakfast of waffles, he sees the wrapper fall off the table due to a draft coming from the grandfather clock that conceals the Batcave. Rorschach descends into the cave to explore it. We also see that the Mime and Marionette brought a lock pick and are ready to escape the confines of Archimedes.
We then see that Ozymandias has met up with Lex Luthor, and tries to explain the situation to him. However, he gets interrupted when he gots shot at, with the stray bullet missing Ozymandias and instead hitting Luthor. We see that this bullet belonged to the gun of The Comedian, seemingly back from the dead.
Presentation
The art style remains consistent with the first issue, as it’s done again by Gary Frank. However, we finally get to see both The Marionette and The Mime in their costumes, which are very fitting of their names. It’s also interesting to see how Gotham is portrayed, as it has a very Watchmen feel to the citizens and protestors.
Final Thoughts
Doomsday Clock #2 is a fitting second issue, and thoroughly sets up the events to come. However, it seems as if the Watchmen Earth has been destroyed, and this could make the mission in vain. But, the one interaction we get between Batman and Rorschach at the very end makes it all worth it.
