Doomsday Clock #9 — Questions and Theories
Doomsday Clock #9 is finally out, and with it comes the new set of questions that follow every Doomsday Clock issue. If you want my full thoughts on this issue, check out my review. The ninth issue has brought in some questions that have some strong residual effects in the DC Universe. Be warned though, MAJOR SPOILERS for Doomsday Clock #9.
What’s up with the Legion rings?
At the very beginning of this issue we find out that when Dr. Manhattan eliminated the Justice Society of America in the past, this had the residual effect of (presumably) eliminating the Legion of Superheroes in the future. But it’s not certain, as Dr. Manhattan thinks they’re gone because Ferro Lad’s ring disappears in his hand. But, Ferro Lad’s blood is still in his hand, as well as the Legion Ring that Saturn Girl got back in Doomsday Clock #5 still being there, it seems Dr. Manhattan shouldn’t count on the Legion’s death. It’s also been brought up that his death could lead to him not seeing the future, and that may just be the case.
Guy Gardener, no longer a Lantern?
Guy was the first person to rush in and fight Dr. Manhattan, and while it seemed like it worked at first, Manhattan got back up quickly and proceeded to destroys Guy’s ring. This means that as of now, Guy isn’t a Green Lantern. However, Jon Stewart’s ring was recently destroyed in Justice League, but he found with a new ring tattoo, and it functions the exact same. This means Guy could get a new ring, but he won’t be able to help for the rest of Doomsday Clock, if he survives that is.
Could Lex Luthor save the past and future?
Lex Luthor is one of the smartest people in the DC Universe, and he’s one of the few people who knows about the JSA, as he sent Lois Lane the tape of them. In this issue he talks with Lois and the JSA and Wally West, meaning that he knows that time was altered, and it seems he’s planning on doing something about it. This plan is one of three currently active, the first being taking on Dr. Manhattan, which didn’t go so well. Lex’s plan seems like it will be an effort to restore the missing heroes (and probably giving Lex something as well), but there’s one last plan in the works.
The Final Plan of Ozymandias
Ozymandias came to the DC Universe to get Dr. Manhattan to save the Watchmen Earth, but once Dr. Manhattan was found he refused and went to Mars. Last issue Ozymandias said he had a plan that would save both the DC and Watchmen Earths, and we get a small shot of him working on his plan, which will probably come to fruition next issue. This plan could be anything, but with his actions from Watchmen and the creation of Bubastis II, it seems like Ozymandias will try to control Dr. Manhattan and make him fix the Earths. If this is his plan, it will almost definitely lead to the death of Ozymandias.
The Not So Immortal Doctor Manhattan
For the longest time it seemed like Dr. Manhattan was just immortal, and unable to be harmed. While Ozymandias did manage to explode Dr. Manhattan in Watchmen, it was mainly because he was caught off guard. However, in this issue he gets beat so bad by the heroes that he has to remake his entire body and nervous system, showing that even he has his limits on how much pain he can take. Even though Superman isn’t strong enough to kill Dr. Manhattan on his own, he could definitely beat an already weakened Manhattan, if that’s what it comes to.
Black Adam’s Attack Reasoning
Black Adam has played a small role in Doomsday Clock, mainly to offer meta human refuge in his country of Kahndaq. However, the end of this issue sees him attacking the UN where Wonder Woman is speaking. But, why exactly is he attacking? While it could be just to attack, it more likely seems that it’s a political move in an effort to make the other countries fear and stay away from the meta human country.
Dr. Manhattan’s Massacre
The very end of the issue shows that Dr. Manhattan has defeated all the heroes, and he’s looking to the distance. However, are the heroes truly dead, or have they just been beaten? While the secondary cover for this issue shows the empty costumes of many heroes, the final panel just shows the bodies. But, it seems more likely than not that these heroes are still alive. First of all, Dr. Manhattan learned new things about magic and the emotional spectrum, and second of all, Dr. Manhattan generally kills with full on disintegrations. If you consider this, it seems the heroes are safe, for now at least.
