Review: Doomsday Clock #2 (of 12)
Geoff Johns and Gary Frank’s superhero opus continues setting the scene for darker things to come as Ozymandias, Rorschach along with their criminal cohorts cast out across the multiverse, searching for Dr Manhattan and enlisting the help of two of the smartest men in the DC universe in the shape of Bruce Wayne and Lex Luthor.
With so much hanging on this book, Johns’ takes a somewhat pedestrian approach to pacing. Twelve issues is a long time to tell a story; without the need to recite history at this stage at least, Johns is going to have to weave his magic to keep all involved interested. Two issues in, it’s a safe to say that minor goal has been achieved. Mixed in with the continuing setup of the series, are a few hints that this might not be our Earth. I hope that’s not the case, as after the myriad of Batmen we recently saw, I am not sure I want to see a myriad of Earth’s. On the flip side, Johns is a deft master of dialogue and that is clearly on show from the outset. I loved the Wayne and Fox conversation as well as that initial confrontation between Rorschach and Batman. Of course, this is not the only meeting of minds that occurs in this issue.
Gary Franks art, again, as with the last issue, is fantastic. There is a level of detail on show that simply put, shows up any number of artists who are on other large books on the DC roster. Everyone has a level of realism that outshines the idea of this being “just a comic-book” with Lex looking particularly smarmy and arrogant. Franks has been away for comics for too long. Of course there is a train of thought that if we had more art, we would have been spoilt and took his work for granted, in much the same way we treat Capullo for instance. Franks mixes his panel structures well, trying to invoke the original series whilst also bringing a flair of bigger panels. Brad Anderson’s colors again, deliver a pastiche of both the previous issue and despite the obvious improvements in the colouring process and paper quality over the years, still carries the same sort of darkness as the first run.
I absolutely loved the first issue of this maxi series. Then I went to the cinema and watched Star Wars: The Last Jedi. I bring this up as both that movie and to some extent this series serves to tread the same ground; walking the fine line between the reminiscent and the new. Also, as with the movie, I am not certain how long this perception can continue to deliver the results that DC are counting on. Strangely enough, the traditional use of a quote on the last page seems to echo this sentiment.
Writing – 4 Stars
Art – 5 Stars
Colors -5 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Geoff Johns
Art by; Gary Frank
Colors by; Brad Anderson
Published by; DC Comics
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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