Ever since Geoff Johns started DC Comics on their path to the Rebirth event, a lot of questions have been presented with very few answers. Johns promises answers in Doomsday Clock.
First we had Wally West returning from the Speed Force with the knowledge that Barry Allen (Flash) was not responsible for the Flashpoint changes. Wally claims to have seen something that didn’t belong in the Speed Force. What did he see?
You have also seen Johnny Thunder and Saturn Girl from the JSA. Jay Garrick’s helmet is seen in a few panels too. In fact Johnny is seen rambling about how it is his fault the JSA is gone, but he can bring them back. How does the JSA factor into everything?
Ray Palmer (Atom) sends a message to Ryan Choi, his assistant, saying he needs to be rescued. He also told him he discovered a disruption deep within the temporal nanostructure of the time line. Ray claims there is evidence of something much bigger than a few historical robberies within the very essence of time. Has Ray discovered who or what is responsible for the 5 years taken out of the New 52 timeline?
Mr. Mxyzptlk shows up and explains Superman had been split into the New 52 Superman/Lois Lane and the post-crisis Superman/Lois Lane. Somehow Jonathan Kent is able to merge them back into one entity. How did Jonathan get this power? Why was Superman split into 2 entities in New 52?
The mysterious Mr. Oz has a few characters imprisoned. He had Mr. Mxyzptlk, but he manged to escape. He still has Tim Drake, Doomsday, and Prophecy that we know about. There are some prisoners that have not been shown. Is Mr. Oz Ozymandias from the Watchment? Why is he toying with the DCU timeline? What do these prisoners have to do with his plans?
In the four part “The Button” storyline we saw the Comedian’s smiley face button get activated when it came into contact with Psycho Pirate’s mask. Psycho Pirate was able to remember the original continuity of the timeline. How does he factor into story?
These are just a few of the questions that still linger in Rebirth. DC Comics has been promoting the “Doomsday Clock” by Geoff Johns. Johns has been orchestrating the whole Rebirth story, but this is the first thing he has written since the initial Rebirth one shot to kick off the whole event.
Geoff Johns has promised this won’t be a Watchmen sequel. The imagery of the Watchmen countdown clock with the Superman shield at the midnight hour lets you know there is gonna be a big clash between the two. Johns has said Doctor Manhattan and Superman will weigh heavily into his story.
So far the whole DC Comics Rebirth event has been a great read. A lot of questions still need to be answered. Here’s to hoping we get those answers in November when “Doomsday Clock” hits the shelves.
DC Comics has been dropping numerous hints that the Watchmen will be crossing over into the mainline DC Universe. One of the biggest hints is the fact Batman found the Comedian’s blood-stained smiley face button lodged into the wall of the Batcave.
The Button story-line is a four part series in Batman #21 & #22 and Flash #21 & #22.
Batman and Flash (Barry Allen) are arguably two of the best detectives in the DC Universe. They team up to discover the meaning behind the button appearing in the Batcave. We don’t actually see Dr. Manhattan or Ozxymandias, but there have been plenty of hints up to this point.
One thing that is perplexing is the fact the button is activated when it comes in close proximity of the Psycho Pirate’s mask. It emits a blast that knocks Batman across the Batcave.
Reverse Flash (Eobard Thawne) appears and gives Batman a beat-down. The only mistake Eobard made was touching the button. It momentarily zapped him out of this reality. When he popped back in his body was deteriorating and he said he had seen God.
Reverse Flash doesn’t use Speed Force for his powers. His is a synthetic power. Upon investigation, Barry finds Eobard is covered with Barry’s Speed Force.
It seems that “The Button” parts 1 & 2 introduce more questions than it answers. DC Comics has 2 more issues to tie this all together. I keep hoping to see any of the Watchmen characters, but so far I’ve only been teased.
Since Batman seems to be teaming up with everyone lately, I’d love to see a Batman/Rorshach limited series. What do you think about the Watchmen characters being brought into the DC Universe? Who would you like to see in a crossover between DC and Watchmen characters?
Watchmen closer to DC reveal – The DC Comics “Rebirth” one-shot comic book that launched the new universe saw Batman finding the Comedian’s bloody smiley face button lodged in the wall of the Batcave.
This was just one of the many clues that have been floated in various DC Comics titles pointing to the appearance of the Watchmen in the DC Universe.
Batman and Flash are arguably two of the best detectives in the DC Comics Universe. They team up in Batman #21 & #22 and Flash #21 & #22 to investigate the strange occurrences that have been going on ever since Wally West came back from the speed force. Hopefully this 4 issue mini-crossover event will shed some light onto why Dr. Manhattan and Ozymandias have been altering the histories and timelines of the DC Universe.
Per DC:
If you’ve been wondering about how the mystery behind Geoff Johns’ DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1 continues, you’ll find out more beginning this April in “The Button,” a four part story arc in issues #21 and #22 of BATMAN and THE FLASH.
Courtesy of the Batman team of writer Tom King and artist Jason Fabok, along with The Flash writer Joshua Williamson and artist Howard Porter, the two greatest detectives in the DC Universe unite to unravel the mystery behind a certain blood stained smiley face button stuck in the Batcave wall.
However, what begins as a simple investigation soon turns deadly when the secrets of the button prove irresistible to an unwelcome third party – and it’s not who anyone suspects! This is a mystery woven throughout time, and the countdown starts here!
In addition to the standard $2.99 covers on Batman and The Flash in late April and early May, each of the four issues will feature a special $3.99 lenticular cover, all drawn by Jason Fabok. Don’t miss the chance to find out more about the mysteries behind DC REBIRTH when these issues hit your local comics retailer beginning April 19!
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