Things are spiraling out of control in the latest issue of Doomsday Clock with an issue that feels like it has skipped a bit from the previous one. It feels like forever since the last issue came out and while that one featured a confrontation with Dr. Manhattan, this issue is the likely setup for what was foretold in the previous.

Firestorm heads to Russia for some unknown reason where an accident happens causing tensions to rise and the world to inch closer to war. Does this sound familiar? It should as it’s basically the plot of the first Watchmen story in this case a nuclear exchange is replaced with a metahuman battle.

With a two and a half month lag between Doomsday Clock #8 and the previous issue, the story feels a bit disjointed almost as if parts are from an entirely different comic. What’s presented here is intriguing but also feels like going from 0 to 60 in a second. Things ramp up, but it’s a quick escalation and in some ways feels a bit rushed.

Writer Geoff Johns is putting together an interesting narrative weaving in a distrust of the government and metahumans but this latest issue at times feels like an entirely different story from what’s come before. It’s almost like Johns himself took a break between issues and is forced to continue the story with only a slight memory of the previous issue. While that previous issue was a shot in the arm in a good way, this issue is a few steps back delivering an entry that on its own feels disjointed and a part of another story altogether. Part of that is this issue having little connection with the previous’ confrontation and revelations.

The art by Gary Frank is pretty solid and the draw here. While generally fantastic there’s a few panels that are close ups of characters that feel a bit off as far as character and design. The pages stick to the formula that has worked for the series so far an emulates what was previously done in Watchmen.

The issue is an interesting one and could be a story on its own. The issue however suffers from delays, as the event as a whole has, with months between books giving just enough time to forget what happened. In this case that gap makes this feel like a whole other story. Doomsday Clock continues to frustrate in ways delivering a compelling story but doing so in a way that feels like it’s being stretched out and not for the better. Still, there’s the mystery, and the comic book fan wants to see how this one plays out.

Story: Geoff Johns Art: Gary Frank
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

In this chapter, the truth behind Dr. Manhattan’s curiosity with the DC Universe is revealed as the planet teeters on the edge of the Super-War.

The original Watchmen was both brilliant and frustrating. It’s a prime example of the whole being much greater than the individual parts. Add in delays in the release and things got frustrating.

It feels like a long time since the last issue and Doomsday Clock #7 repeats history in numerous ways. After a delay, we have an issue that’s vital but also frustrating in how cryptic it is.

Adrien’s search for Dr. Manhattan is a success bringing together so many pieces of the puzzle and we learn what Manhattan has been doing… sort of. With dots being connected, we learn of some of the history that’s been changed and changed again. Writer Geoff Johns weaves together interesting aspects of DC history bringing in some fascinating releases into continuity including a rather obscure Green Lantern story. In that stroke of a pen he also writes out some continuity as well. It all muddles up the DC Universe making it both fascinating and frustrating. And it accomplishes… well I’m not sure as we still have quite a few issues to go.

But, the delay, the greater being whole isn’t everything. The issue again mimics its original source in pacing, page layout, and tone. In some ways it succeeds. In some way it feels like a cheap imitation. This is only one sliver of the greater story and each issue feels like they’re becoming more difficult to measure on their own as each becomes more intertwined into what has come before and what is to come. What it does do is foreshadow what is a possible explosive finale again creating a head scratching puzzle whose picture will become clearer when things end.

Gary Frank works with Johns’ script delivering pages that hearken back to the original material. The art is generally good but the limitation of 9 panels to a page in some instances hampers the visual aspects of it all. It’s unknown if this is a problem for just the digital edition but it’s just difficult to tell exactly what’s going on in points of the story. It’s unlike previous issues and a little frustrating.

The issue is an interesting one as it throws so much out there but with that it feels muddled and a bit too unfocused. It also goes too far in trying to be an homage to the original material which restricts the storytelling. As a piece of a puzzle, it’s good. On its own, it’s a bit of a mess. We’ll see where this all goes but on its own, this one is a a bit of a enigma.

Story: Geoff Johns Art: Gary Frank
Story: 6.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 6.0 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review