Doomsday Clock #12 is an issue of the series Doomsday Clock (Volume 1) with a cover date of February, 2020. It was published on December 18, 2019.
Contents
Synopsis for "Discouraged of Man"
As Doctor Manhttan prepares for his first and final encounter with Superman, he reflects over what he believes to be his own false conclusion; "Nothing lasts forever." Jon recalls being trapped in the test chamber in search of Janey's watch, as well as his time with her before his transformation. Jon greets Superman, explaining that in eleven minutes, either he destroys everything, or Superman will destroy him.
The two are then surrounded by both The People's Heroes and Black Adam's Meta-Human Army; with the two factions intending to kill Superman. As Superman battles both groups, Meta-humans from across the world are sent to intervene in the conflict.
As Reggie Long watches a television outside a closed store, he is attacked by the owner who mistook him for an intruder. Regardless, the owner prepares to beat Reggie, until he is dispatched by Alfred, who pleads with Reggie to help Superman by taking on the Rorschach persona once again. Reggie declines once again, claiming Rorschach is a monster and that this world is going to end, just like his own. However, Batman arrives, convincing Reggie that he can change Rorschach, and make people see something else.
As chaos is unleashed on the streets of DC, Superman begs Manhattan for help, but he declines; waiting for the point of revelation to arrive in less than four minutes. Jon recalls having a similar feeling following Ozymandias' massacre in New York.
Back in Metropolis, Lex Luthor tells Lois Lane to write an article informing the world of Manhattan's meddling with history. When Lois ask why, he states that he wants to be credited with the discovery. He leaves with a "vibrational emitter" to meet with a certain individual.
With tweleve seconds to go, Manhattan tells Superman that he is the one behind the changes in his life and the loss of certain allies. He then informs him that it is he who killed the Kents many years ago. He ponders once again; will Superman destroy him, or will he defend himself despite his past sins?
Superman charges at Manhattan only to knock back Pozhar, leaving Manhattan confused. Jon asks why he defended him, with Superman asking him a question in return; will Manhattan continue to ponder over whether he or Superman is destroyed due to seeing nothing, or will he make a different choice. Clark asks Jon about the woman in the photographs created by Manhattan, with Jon recalling his transformation. Superman wonders whether the darkness beyond comes from Manhattan using all his power to save his own world.
Manhattan embraces his judgement that everything ends, and remakes the universe.
Krypton explodes, and an infant is sent to Earth in a spacecraft. The Metaverse revolves around this one and only child. Kal-El will always land on Earth throughout all eras of history, and he will always be found by a kindly couple.
On July 16th, 1940, Manhattan moves Alan Scott's Lantern back into place.
On Clark Kent's prom night, Jonathan tells him of the Justice Society of America, and that if Clark feels ready to show himself to the world, it will be ready for him as well. Before Jonathan and Martha are killed in a car accident, they are saved by Clark dressed in his Superboy outfit; inspired by the heroes from the past. Because the Justice Society exists, not only Superboy, but the Legion of Superheroes as well exist again.
Back in the present, the Legionnaire ring and Alan Scott's Lantern flare up. Johnny Thunder is reminded that the thunderbolt was with him all along; he is the Thunderbolt. As both cells explode with power, the future and past are set free, while Ozymandias is left confused.
Just as Superman is surrounded by the rampaging meta-humans, he is greeted by his returned allies; the JSA and the Legion. With Superman leading the heroes against the attackers, Jon is inspired for the first time in his life, viewing the past once more:
On April 18, 1938, Superman reveals himself to Metropolis. Decades later a police scientist is struck by lightning, Superman's timeline shifts forward, and reality divides for the first time; creating the multiverse and creation of Earth-2. The earth is divided again following the first crisis. The Earth divides again and Earth-1 becomes Earth-1985, one yet unexplored. Jon finally understands why these earths exist; every time there is a change is the metaverse, the multiverse grows in order to preserve every era of Superman, including the one that existed after both Doctor Manhattan's interference an the Flashpoint, which preceeded the Rebirth, still remains as Earth 52.
Jon looks beyond, seeing that in the year 2020, Superman's timeline will be bombarded by the reckless energies of the Old Gods, once again warping the metaverse. On July 2nd, 2025, a crisis known as "Time Masters" will occur, but in its wake Superman will be revitalized, and his greatest allies returned. No matter how many times his existence is attacked he will survive. On January 6th, 2026, the timeline is restored and Earth 5G is born. On June 17th, 2026, Superman will embark on a quest to find Batman's long lost daughter in order to save Damian Wayne. On July 10th, 2030, the Secret Crisis will begin, where Superman will brawl across the universe with Thor and be saved by a Green Behemoth stronger than Doomsday.
On April 18th 2038, Superman will appear for the first time, having landed in 2016. The timeline will shift forward once again, and April 18th 2038 will be when Jonathan, Martha, and baby Colin find a child Kal-El. The timeline will move forward again to 2045, to 2162, to 2965. A rocket arrives, a child is loved, a hero is made. He now understands Superman's true purpose: he will guide humanity and humanity will finally embrace his ways by the end of 30th century.
Ozymandias is found by Batman and Rorschach, who have succeeded in clearing Superman's name through files left on the Owlship by Veidt himself. Veidt, Bubastis, Rorschach, Marionette, Mime and the Comedian are all summoned by Manhattan to the Washington memorial. Veidt reveals that he staged Superman and Manhattan's encounter in order to save both worlds, but is shot by the Comedian. Blake is then zapped by Luthor's vibrational emitter, sending him back to his fall. As Veidt bleeds out, Reggie uses the Rorschach mask to cover the wound, in order to preserve his life so that he may be imprisoned for his crimes. Manhattan reveals to Marionette and Mime that they will no be returning to their home universe. Marionette asks for her son, but Jon tells he that they must stay so that their son has an anchor, just as Manhattan did.
Manhattan visits his anchor in the past, Carver Colman, convincing him to not be afraid of his true feelings. This changes the actor's destiny for the better. Colman comes out to the public, preventing his own murder. He eventually becomes an advocate for gay rights and dies in 2005 with his partner of 40 years at his side.
The JSA vows to uncover more about the Supermen Theory. The news about the Supermen program lead to a national controversy, and the President is threatened with impeachment. Stein is incarcerated for his role in the program while Ronnie undergoes treatment. Superman and Lois meet up with the now living Kents, while Batman frames Rorschach' journal, Marionette and Mime prepare for the birth of their second child, and Luthor considers utilizing and improving Veidt's methods for personal gain.
Manhattan arrives in his home universe, preventing nuclear war by destroying all nuclear weaponry before fallout can occur. Reggie visits Byron Lewis' grave, thanking him. Ozymandias is imprisoned in his former headquarters. A young orphan named Cleopatra Pak stands outside Veidts prison, obsessed with his rise and fall. On her sixteenth birthday, she becomes a hero named Nostalgia, taking a fully grown Bubastis at her side.
Jon recalls not killing Marionette and Mime in the past due to their future child bringing great joy to his past lover, Laurie Jupiter. He then discovers that he is the one to take the child away. As Manhattan raises the child, he realizes that he could never be the hero that his world needed because he didn't have what Superman did. Destiny is not without a guiding hand.
Jon imbues the Earth and the child with the last of his powers. His final thought wanders to what his life could have been if he had not become Doctor Manhattan: Janey convinces him to not retrieve the clock so he is not involved in the incident that would have given him his powers; he marries Janey and they start a family together, having two daughters and a son, living a life without any worry of time. Jon smiles one last time, believing it to be a nice daydream to live in, as he fades away from existence.
The child is left at the Hollis residence, where he introduces himself to their daughter as being brought by a friend of her parents. As she invites him in for pancakes, she tells him that her name is Sally, with the child introducing himself as Clark.
Appearing in "Discouraged of Man"
Featured Characters:
- Doctor Manhattan (Flashback and main story) (Dies)
- Marionette
- Mime
- Rorschach (Reggie Long)
- Superboy/Superman (Clark Kent) (Flashback and main story) (Origin)
Supporting characters:
- Alfred Pennyworth
- Batman
- Carver Colman
- The Comedian (Dies)
- Jonathan Kent (Flashback and main story)
- Justice Society of America
- Atom Smasher (First appearance)
- Cyclone (First appearance)
- Damage (First appearance)
- Doctor Fate
- Doctor Midnight (First appearance)
- The Flash (Jay Garrick)
- Green Lantern (Alan Scott)
- Hawkman
- Hourman (First appearance)
- Jade (First appearance)
- Jakeem Thunder (First appearance)
- Johnny Thunderbolt
- Liberty Belle
- Mr. Terrific
- Obsidian (First appearance)
- Power Girl
- Sandman
- Stargirl
- S.T.R.I.P.E. (First full appearance)
- Wildcat (Ted Grant)
- Wildcat (Yolanda Montez) (First appearance)
- Legion of Super-Heroes
- Blok
- Bouncing Boy
- Brainiac 5
- Chameleon Boy
- Colossal Boy
- Cosmic Boy
- Dream Girl
- Dawnstar
- Element Lad
- Gold Lantern
- Lightning Lad
- Lightning Lass
- Matter-Eater-Lad
- Mon-El
- Monster Boy
- Princess Projectra
- Saturn Girl
- Shadow Lass
- Shrinking Violet
- Soultaker
- Star Boy
- Sun Boy
- Timber Wolf
- Triplicate Girl
- Ultra Boy
- White Witch
- Wildfire
- Lex Luthor
- Lois Lane
- Martha Kent (Flashback and main story)
Antagonists:
- The Doomed
- Black Adam
- Outsiders
- Baroness Bedlam (First appearance)
- Geo-Force
- Knightfall (Jean-Paul Valley)
- Terra
- Wylde
- Ozymandias
- People's Heroes
Other Characters:
- Amanda Waller (Mentioned only)
- Anti-Monitor (Flashback only)
- Aquaman Family (Cameo)
- Batman Family (Cameo)
- Benjamin Netanyahu (Mentioned only)
- Big Monster Action
- Byron Lewis (Tombstone)
- Clark Dreiberg (Single appearance)
- Cleopatra Pak/Nostalgia (First appearance)
- Dan Dreiberg
- Elite Basij
- Firestorm (Ronnie Raymond) (Mentioned only)
- Martin Stein (Mentioned only)
- Flash Family (Cameo)
- The Flash (Barry Allen)
- The Flash (Wally West)
- Kid Flash (Irey West) (First appearance as Kid Flash)
- The Turtle (Jai West) (First appearance as The Turtle)
- Great Twenty (Cameo)
- Green Lantern Corps (Cameo)
- Hayoth
- Janey Slater (Flashback only)
- Josef Osterman (In a vision)
- Justice League Europe
- Laurie Dreiberg
- Knights Inc.
- Sleeping Soldiers
- Sally Dreiberg (Single appearance)
- Supergirl (Cameo)
- Wonder Woman Family (Cameo)
- Earth-1/1985 heroes (In a vision)
- Earth-2 heroes (In a vision)
- Earth 52 heroes (In a vision)
- Lana Lang (Mentioned only)
- President Donald Trump (Mentioned only)
- Rorschach (Walter Kovacs) (Mentioned only)
- First unnamed 2038 timeline (In a vision)
- Jonathan Kent
- Martha Kent
- Superman (Kal-El)
- Second unnamed 2038 timeline (In a vision)
- Colin Kent
- Jonathan Kent
- Martha Kent
- Superman (Kal-El)
- Unnamed 2045 timeline (Mentioned only)
- Jonathan Kent
- Martha Kent
- Kal-El
- Unnamed 2162 timeline (In a vision)
- Clara Kent
- Jonathan Kent
- Martha Kent
- Kal-El
- Unnamed 2945 timeline (Mentioned only)
- Superman (Mentioned only)
- Thor (Mentioned only)
- Green Behemoth (Mentioned only)
Locations:
- Multiverse
- Earth-0/Metaverse
- Earth-1/1985 (In a vision)
- Earth-2 (In a vision)
- Earth 52 (In a vision)
- Watchmen Universe
- First unnamed 2038 timeline (In a vision)
- Second unnamed 2038 timeline (In a vision)
- Unnamed 2045 timeline (Mentioned only)
- Unnamed 2162 timeline (In a vision)
- Unnamed 2965 timeline (Mentioned only)
Concepts:
- Crisis on Infinite Earths (In a vision)
- Flashpoint (In a vision)
- Rebirth (Mentioned only)
- Secret Crisis (In a vision)
Items:
Vehicles:
- Kryptonian Rocket (In a vision)
Notes
- Dr. Manhattan's narration on all the events in Superman's life does tease some possible future events for the DC Universe like 5G (which was later changed to Future State) and some future Crises like a possible Marvel Crossover
- The revisions to DC's timeline that happen as a product of Doomsday Clock are first reflected in Wonder Woman #750, where Wonder Woman is considered the first contemporary superhero, debuting in 1939.
- Some other revisions to the timeline that happened but prior to the comic’s release was the Justice Society’s return to DC Universe in Justice League (Volume 4) #30 and the introduction of the Post-Rebirth Legion of Super-Heroes in Superman (Volume 5) #14
- Another revision was Ted Grant being Bruce Wayne’s trainer.
See Also
Links and References
- Pages using DynamicPageList parser function
- Gary Frank/Cover Artist
- Brad Anderson/Cover Artist
- Geoff Johns/Writer
- Gary Frank/Penciler
- Gary Frank/Inker
- Brad Anderson/Colourist
- Rob Leigh/Letterer
- Brian Cunningham/Editor
- Amedeo Turturro/Editor
- Kal-El (Prime Earth)/Quotes
- Jonathan Osterman (Watchmen)/Appearances
- Erika Manson (Watchmen)/Appearances
- Marcos Maez (Watchmen)/Appearances
- Reginald Long (Watchmen)/Appearances
- Kal-El (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Superboy Origins
- Origin Issues
- Alfred Pennyworth (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Bruce Wayne (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Carver Colman (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Edward Blake (Watchmen)/Appearances
- Jonathan Kent (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Justice Society of America (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Albert Rothstein (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Maxine Hunkel (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Grant Emerson (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Kent Nelson (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Elizabeth Chapel (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Jason Garrick (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Alan Scott (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Carter Hall (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Richard Tyler (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Jennifer-Lynn Hayden (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Jakeem Williams (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- John Thunder (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Yz (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Jesse Chambers (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Michael Holt (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Todd Rice (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Kara Zor-El (Earth 2)/Appearances
- Sanderson Hawkins (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Courtney Whitmore (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Patrick Dugan (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Ted Grant (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Yolanda Montez (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Legion of Super-Heroes (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Blok (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Charles Taine (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Querl Dox (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Reep Daggle (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Gim Allon (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Rokk Krinn (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Nura Nal (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Dawnstar Gr'ell (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Jan Arrah (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Kala Lour (Post-Rebrith)/Appearances
- Garth Ranzz (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Ayla Ranzz (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Tenzil Kem (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Mon-El (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Arune Singh (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Wilimena Vauxhall (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Imra Ardeen (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Tasmia Mallor (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Salu Digby (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Soultaker (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Thom Kallor (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Dirk Morgna (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Brin Londo (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Luornu Durgo (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Jo Nah (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Xola Aq (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Drake Burroughs (Post-Rebirth)/Appearances
- Alexander Luthor (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Lois Lane (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Martha Clark (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- The Doomed (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Aalok (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Animal-Vegetable-Mineral Man (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Arani Desai (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Kiran Singh (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Teth-Adam (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Creeper (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Jack Ryder (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Doris Zuel (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Louise Lincoln (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Mark Shaw (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Nabil Azmah (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Outsiders II (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Baroness Bedlam (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Brion Markov (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Jean-Paul Valley (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Tara Markov (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Charles Wylde (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Adrian Veidt (Watchmen)/Appearances
- Bubastis II (Watchmen)/Appearances
- People's Heroes (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Black Eagle (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Ivana Molotova (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Igor Medviedenko (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Valentina Vostok (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Ilya Trepliov (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Mikhail Arkadin (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Leonid Kovar (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Mashenka Medviedenko (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Ivan Illyich Gort (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Tundra (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Feodor Piotrovitch Sorin (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Vostok-X II (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Anti-Monitor (Antimatter Universe)/Appearances
- Aquaman Family/Appearances
- Jackson Hyde (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Arthur Curry (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Mera (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Batman Family/Appearances
- Barbara Gordon (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Lucas Fox (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Richard Grayson (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Big Monster Action (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Goraiko (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Kusanagi (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Sonia Sato (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Izuma Yasunari (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Byron Lewis (Watchmen)/Appearances
- Clark Dreiberg (Watchmen)/Appearances
- Cleopatra Pak (Watchmen)/Appearances
- Daniel Dreiberg (Watchmen)/Appearances
- Elite Basij (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Manticore (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Sayeh (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Khalid (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Flash Family/Appearances
- Barry Allen (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Wally West (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Iris West II (Dark Multiverse: Flash Forward)/Appearances
- Jai West (Dark Multiverse: Flash Forward)/Appearances
- Great Ten (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Wang Baixi (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Xu Tao (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Dao (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Ghost Fox Killer (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Gloss (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Chen Nuo (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Kong Kenan (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Green Lantern Corps (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Guy Gardner (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Hal Jordan (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Jessica Cruz (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- John Stewart (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Hayoth (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Dybbuk (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Moyshe Nakhman (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Judith (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Israel Harel (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Ramban (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Chaim Lavon (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Janey Slater (Watchmen)/Appearances
- Josef Osterman (Watchmen)/Appearances
- Justice League Europe (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Noelle Avril (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Laurel Juspeczyk (Watchmen)/Appearances
- Knights Inc. (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Beaumont (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Jeramey Chriqui (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Dora Leigh (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- George Cross (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Daniel Cormac (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Beryl Hutchinson (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Bobbie Stephenson (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Edgar Ridgley (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Silent Knight II (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Sleeping Soldiers (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Argonaut (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Ranger (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Elizabeth Clawman (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Hugh Dawkins (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Umbaluru (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Sally Dreiberg (Watchmen)/Appearances
- Kara Zor-El (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Wonder Woman Family/Appearances
- Donna Troy (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Diana of Themyscira (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Nubia (Prime Earth)/Appearances
- Barbara Gordon (Earth-One)/Appearances
- Bruce Wayne (Earth-One)/Appearances
- Dinah Laurel Lance (New Earth)/Appearances
- Barry Allen (New Earth)/Appearances
- Oliver Queen (New Earth)/Appearances
- John Stewart (New Earth)/Appearances
- Red Tornado (New Earth)/Appearances
- Kara Zor-El (Earth-One)/Appearances
- Kal-El (Earth-One)/Appearances
- Diana of Paradise Island (Earth-One)/Appearances
- Zatanna Zatara (New Earth)/Appearances
- Bruce Wayne (Earth-Two)/Appearances
- Kent Nelson (New Earth)/Appearances
- Jason Garrick (New Earth)/Appearances
- Alan Scott (New Earth)/Appearances
- Carter Hall (New Earth)/Appearances
- Helena Wayne (Earth-Two)/Appearances
- Kara Zor-L (Earth-Two)/Appearances
- Richard Grayson (Earth-Two)/Appearances
- Kal-L (Earth-Two)/Appearances
- Ted Grant (New Earth)/Appearances
- Diana of Paradise Island (Earth-Two)/Appearances
- Bruce Wayne (Earth 52)/Appearances
- Kal-El (Earth 52)/Appearances
- Diana of Themyscira (Earth 52)/Appearances
- Multiverse/Appearances
- Prime Earth/Appearances
- Washington, D.C./Appearances
- Gotham City/Appearances
- Earth-One/Appearances
- Earth-Two/Appearances
- Earth 52/Appearances
- Kryptonian Rocket/Appearances
- Comics
- 2020
- 2020, February
- December 18, 2019 (Publication)
- 2019, December (Publication)
- Doomsday Clock Vol 1
- New 52
- Executive Editor Credit Needed
- Synopsis Written
- Last Issues
- Wikify