The Biggest Questions about Doomsday Clock #1
The first issue of Doomsday Clock has finally been released, showing a return to the Watchmen universe, seven years after the original comic took place. However, there are many questions from the original that have been left unanswered even with the first issue. Doomsday Clock #1 also introduces a plethora of new questions. And before I move any further, MAJOR SPOILER ALERT for Doomsday Clock Issue #1.
How long has Ozymandias been in hiding?
In Doomsday Clock #1, we see Ozymandias in hiding in Nite Owl’s basement, after abandoning both his building and arctic base. However, we see that he has a tumor, and this was found out on a February 10th. But, there has been a seven year gap between Watchmen and Doomsday Clock, so this could have happened any of those Februaries. We also see that Ozymandias has had enough time to make a clone of his pet Bubastis. We see that Ozymandias’s plan was exposed on November 2nd, 1992, but Ozymandias had most likely been prepared before that.
Where are Nite Owl and Silk Specter?
In Doomsday Clock we see a return to Nite Owl’s cave hosting his ship, as well as Ozymandias hoping that would draw him out of retirement. Other than that we don’t see or hear anything about Nite Owl or Silk Specter. At the end of Watchmen they went off together as Sam and Sandra Hollis. However, it seems as though Nite Owl’s former base will be a prominent setting, possibly prompting a return of Nite Owl and Silk Specter from their lives undercover.
Who is the new Rorschach?
This is easily the biggest question from Doomsday Clock, as we see another person has taken up the mantle. We also see the hand of Rorschach II, revealing that he’s African-American. This narrows down the pool of potential players, but there are two major characters I believe could have taken up the mantle. First is the son of Dr. Malcolm Long, who was the therapist that treated the original Rorschach. The only problem is that we never learned if Dr. Long had children, although he did have a cup labeled Dad on it. But there is much evidence to support this theory, one very notable thing is that the child would have had access to Dr. Long’s notes on Rorschach, which might have actually been shown in Doomsday Clock already.
We also see that this new Rorschach knows his way around the prison, where his father used to work before he was killed. This Rorschach has also learned from the original, and doesn’t write stuff down, as it can be a risk. We also see Rorschach II carries a very different demeanor when it comes to the state of the world, believing it could be saved, as opposed to the original’s thought process that it was lost. Another piece of supporting evidence comes in the line “Good…to have family…” which shows how has been affected due to the loss of his mother and father during Ozymandias’s attack. Speaking of which, Ozymandias seems to be almost afraid of this new Rorschach, especially in regards to how different he is from the original. And finally, we see the cover featuring Rorschach walking away from an exploding building. However, the quote at the top is courtesy of Dr. Malcolm Long, as opposed to the other covers which feature quotes from prominent characters, as well as those characters being displayed in some form of the cover.
Now the other, much less likely choice is Roger Jackson. He is only talked about in a newspaper clipping in the back of Doomsday Clock #1, and reveals that he is the suspect for the murder of Seymour David, and the theft of Rorschach’s journal.
What is the clock counting down to?
In Watchmen, the clock was ticking down to Ozymandias’s plan. After each issue, we see the clock ticking down to midnight. However, the clock at the end of Doomsday Clock is ticking down to Superman’s symbol. But, what does that symbol mean? I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough.
