- Maybe the darkness you see... maybe it takes everything you have to save your world. Maybe you make that choice.
- — Superman
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.
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 11 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 metahuman army; with the two factions intending to kill Superman. As Superman battles both groups, metahumans 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 that 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 12 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 that were 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 JSA exists, not only Superboy, but the Legion of Super-Heroes exist again as well.
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 metahumans, 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 the creation of Earth-2. Earth is divided again following the First Crisis. The Earth divides again and Earth-1 becomes Earth-1985, one that is 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 and Flashpoint, which preceeded the Rebirth, and that 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 that is stronger than even Doomsday is.
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 their baby son Colin find a child named 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 the 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 not be returning to their home universe. Marionette asks for her son, but Jon tells her 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 Superman Theory. The news about the Superman program leads 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's journal, Marionette and Mime prepare for the birth of their second child, and Luthor considers utilizing and improving Veidt's methods for his own 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 Veidt's prison, obsessed with his rise and fall. On her 16th 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 Jon raises the child, he realizes that he could never be the hero that his world needed because he did not have what Superman did. Destiny is not without a guiding hand.
Jon imbues 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 not to 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/Jonathan Osterman (Watchmen Universe) (Flashback and main story) (Dies)
- Marionette/Erika Manson (Watchmen Universe) (Flashback and main story)
- Mime/Marcos Maez (Watchmen Universe)
- Rorschach/Reggie Long (Watchmen Universe)
- Superboy/Superman (Clark Kent) (Flashback and main story) (Origin) (Origin)
Supporting Characters:
- Alfred Pennyworth
- Batman (Bruce Wayne)
- Carver Colman (Deceased) (Flashback and main story)
- Nathaniel Dusk (Fictional character) (On a TV or computer screen) (Flashback only) (Cameo)
- Jonathan Kent (Rebirth) (Flashback and main story)
- Justice Society of America (First appearance chronologically) (Flashback and main story)
- Atom Smasher (Al Rothstein) (First appearance; unnamed)
- Cyclone (Maxine Hunkel) (First appearance; unnamed)
- Damage (Grant Emerson) (First appearance; unnamed)
- Doctor Fate (Kent Nelson)
- Doctor Mid-Nite (Beth Chapel) (First appearance; unnamed)
- The Flash (Jay Garrick)
- Green Lantern (Alan Scott)
- Hawkman (Carter Hall)
- Hourman (Rick Tyler) (First appearance; unnamed)
- Jade (First appearance; unnamed)
- Jakeem Thunder (First appearance; unnamed)
- Johnny Thunderbolt (Merged)
- Liberty Belle
- Mr. Terrific (Michael Holt)
- Obsidian (First appearance)
- Power Girl/Kara Zor-L (Post-Flashpoint) (First full appearance)
- The Sandman (Sanderson Hawkins)
- Stargirl
- S.T.R.I.P.E.
- Wildcat (Ted Grant)
- Wildcat (Yolanda Montez) (First appearance; unnamed)
- Legion of Super-Heroes (Post-Rebirth) (First appearance chronologically)
- 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 (Rebirth) (Flashback and main story)
Antagonists:
- Ali Barber, owner (Single appearance) (Unnamed) (Cameo)
- The Comedian/Edward Blake (Watchmen Universe) (Dies)
- The Doomed
- Black Adam
- Ayatollah Khamenei (On a TV or computer screen) (Cameo)
- Outsiders of Markovia
- Baroness Bedlam (First appearance)
- Geo-Force
- Knightfall (Jean-Paul Valley)
- Terra (Tara Markov)
- Wylde
- Ozymandias/Adrian Veidt (Watchmen Universe)
- People's Heroes
- Black Eagle
- Lady Flash
- Morozko (First appearance)
- Negative Woman (Valentina Vostok)
- Perun (First appearance)
- Pozhar
- Red Star (Leonid Kovar)
- Rusalka (First appearance)
- Steel Wolf (First appearance)
- Tundra (First appearance)
- Vikhor (First appearance)
- Vostok-X
Other Characters:
- The Anti-Monitor (Pre-Crisis) (Flashback only) (Cameo)
- Big Monster Action
- Goraiko
- Hammersuit Zero-X
- Judomaster (Sonia Sato)
- Rising Sun
- Byron Lewis (Watchmen Universe) (Grave) (Cameo)
- Clark Dreiberg (Watchmen Universe) (Real name revealed) (First full appearance) (Flashback and main story)
- Cleopatra Pak (Watchmen Universe) (First appearance) (Cameo)
- Dan Dreiberg (Watchmen Universe)
- Earth-52 Characters (In a vision) (Cameo)
- Batman (Bruce Wayne) (Single appearance)
- Superman (Clark Kent) (Single appearance)
- Wonder Woman (Diana of Themyscira) (Single appearance)
- Earth-5G Characters (In a vision) (Cameo)
- Aquaman Family (Single appearance)
- Aqualad (Jackson Hyde)
- Aquaman (Arthur Curry)
- Mera
- Bat-Family (Single appearance)
- Batgirl (Barbara Gordon)
- Batman (Bruce Wayne)
- Batwing
- Nightwing
- Flash Family (Single appearance)
- The Flash (Barry Allen)
- The Flash (Jay Garrick)
- The Flash (Wally West)
- Kid Flash (Irey West)
- Turtle (Jai West)
- Green Lantern Corps (Single appearance)
- Guy Gardner
- Hal Jordan
- Jessica Cruz
- John Stewart
- Justice Society of America (Single appearance)
- Green Lantern (Alan Scott)
- Hourman
- Jakeem Thunder
- Johnny Thunderbolt
- Stargirl
- Legion of Super-Heroes (Unknown Future) (Single appearance)
- Lightning Lad
- Saturn Girl
- Shadow Lass
- Superman Family (Single appearance)
- Supergirl
- Superman (Clark Kent)
- Wonder Woman Family (Single appearance)
- Wonder Girl (Donna Troy)
- Wonder Woman (Diana of Themyscira)
- Wonder Woman (Nubia)
- Aquaman Family (Single appearance)
- Earth-One Characters (In a vision) (Cameo)
- Earth-Two Characters (In a vision) (Cameo)
- Elite Basij
- Great Twenty (Cameo)
- Hayoth
- Dybbuk
- Golem
- Judith
- Pteradon
- Ramban
- Seraph
- Janey Slater (Watchmen Universe) (Flashback and main story)
- Josef Osterman (Watchmen Universe) (Flashback only) (Cameo)
- Justice League Europe
- Knights Inc.
- Beaumont
- Canterbury Cricket
- Godiva
- The Hood
- Jack O'Lantern
- Knight (Beryl Hutchinson)
- Mrs. Hyde
- Ridge
- Silent Knight
- Krypto the Superdog (Flashback only) (Cameo)
- Laurie Dreiberg (Watchmen Universe)
- Professor Milton Glass (Flashback only) (Cameo)
- Sleeping Soldiers
- Sally Dreiberg (Watchmen Universe) (Real name revealed) (First full appearance)
- TCM (Single appearance)
- Alicia Malone (Single appearance) (On a TV or computer screen) (Voice)
- U.S. Army (Watchmen Universe) (Cameo)
- First Unnamed 2038 Future Characters (In a vision) (Cameo)
- Jonathan Kent (Single appearance)
- Martha Kent (Single appearance)
- Superman (Kal-El) (Single appearance)
- Second Unnamed 2038 Future Characters (In a vision) (Cameo)
- Colin Kent (Single appearance)
- Jonathan Kent (Single appearance)
- Martha Kent (Single appearance)
- Superman (Kal-El) (Single appearance)
- Unnamed 2162 Future Characters (In a vision) (Cameo)
- Clara Kent (Single appearance)
- Jonathan Kent (Single appearance)
- Kal-El (Single appearance)
- Martha Kent (Single appearance)
- Veidt's Creature (Watchmen Universe) (Unnamed) (Flashback only) (Cameo)
- Alternate Watchmen Timeline Characters
- Janey Slater (Single appearance) (In a vision)
- Dr. Jonathan Osterman (Single appearance) (In a vision)
- Janey Slater and Jon Osterman's daughters (Unnamed) (Mentioned only)
- Janey Slater and Jon Osterman's son (Unnamed) (Mentioned only)
- Amanda Waller (Mentioned only)
- Anita Maez (Mentioned only)
- Anita Maez (Watchmen Universe) (Deceased) (Mentioned only)
- Benjamin Netanyahu (Mentioned only)
- Carver Colman's partner (Unnamed) (Mentioned only)
- Central City Police Department (Pre-Crisis) (Unnamed) (Mentioned only)
- Doctor Mid-Nite (Pieter Cross) (Mentioned only)
- Firestorm (Ronnie Raymond) (Mentioned only)
- Martin Stein (Mentioned only)
- The Flash/Barry Allen (Pre-Crisis) (Mentioned only)
- Fred Coe (Mentioned only)
- Genies (Mentioned only)
- Gloria Long (Watchmen Universe) (Deceased) (Mentioned only)
- God (Mentioned only)
- Global Guardians (Mentioned only)
- Jonathan Lord (Mentioned only)
- Joseph McCarthy (Mentioned only)
- House of the Un-American Activities Committee (Unnamed) (Mentioned only)
- Lana Lang (Mentioned only)
- Dr. Malcolm Long (Watchmen Universe) (Deceased) (Mentioned only)
- Old Gods (Mentioned only)
- Perseus (Mentioned only)
- President R.J. Brande (Post-Rebirth) (Mentioned only)
- Rorschach/Walter Kovacs (Watchmen Universe) (Deceased) (Mentioned only)
- Sam Kent (Unnamed) (Deceased) (Mentioned only)
- Sandra Stanyon (Mentioned only)
- Mrs. Slater (Watchmen Universe) (Unnamed) (Mentioned only)
- Time Masters (Earth 5G) (Mentioned only)
- United States Government (Mentioned only)
- Department of Metahuman Affairs (Mentioned only)
- President Donald Trump (Mentioned only)
- Unnamed 2030 Future Characters
- Batman (Bruce Wayne) (Mentioned only)
- Bruce Wayne's daughter (Unnamed) (Mentioned only)
- Damian Wayne (Mentioned only)
- Doomsday (Deceased) (Mentioned only)
- Superman (Clark Kent) (Mentioned only)
- Unnamed 2045 Future Characters
- Jonathan Kent (Mentioned only)
- Kal-El (Mentioned only)
- Martha Kent (Mentioned only)
- Unnamed 2945 Future Characters
- Superman (Mentioned only)
- "Green Behemoth" (Unknown Earth) (Unnamed) (Mentioned only)
- Thor (Unknown Earth) (Mentioned only)
- American Psychiatric Association (Mentioned only)
Locations:
- Hypertime
- Earth-52 (Single appearance) (In a vision) (Cameo)
- Earth-5G (Single appearance)
- Alternate Earth 0 Future (Superman reveals himself in 2038) (Single appearance) (Unnamed) (In a vision) (Cameo)
- 2026
- United States of America
- Smallville
- Kent Farm (In a vision) (Cameo)
- Smallville
- United States of America
- 2038 (Mentioned only)
- 2026
- Alternate Earth 0 Future (Superman arrives on Earth in 2038) (Single appearance) (Unnamed) (In a vision) (Cameo)
- 2038
- United States of America
- Smallville
- Kent Farm (In a vision) (Cameo)
- Smallville
- United States of America
- 2038
- Alternate Earth 0 Future (Superman arrives on Earth in 2162) (Single appearance) (Unnamed) (In a vision) (Cameo)
- 2162
- United States of America
- Smallville
- Kent Farm (In a vision) (Cameo)
- Smallville
- United States of America
- 2162
- Alternate Earth 0 Timeline (Superman arrives on Earth during the prehistoric era) (Single appearance) (Unnamed)
- Prehistoric Era
- Earth (In a vision) (Cameo)
- Prehistoric Era
- Alternate Earth 0 Timeline (Superman arrives on Earth in ancient times) (Single appearance) (Unnamed)
- Earth (In a vision) (Cameo)
- Post-Rebirth Legion's Future (Unnamed)
- 31st Century
- Earth
- Legion of Super-Heroes Headquarters (Flashback only) (Cameo)
- Earth
- 31st Century
- Timestream (Behind the scenes)
- Alternate Watchmen Timeline (Jon Osterman never became Doctor Manhattan) (Single appearance) (Unnamed) (In a vision) (Cameo)
- 1959
- United States of America
- Gila Flats (In a vision) (Cameo)
- United States of America
- 1960 (Mentioned only)
- 1959
- Earth-1985 (Mentioned only)
- Alternate Earth 0 Future (Secret Crisis happens in 2030) (Unnamed) (Mentioned only)
- Alternate Earth 0 Future (Superman arrives on Earth in 2045) (Unnamed) (Mentioned only)
- 2045 (Mentioned only)
- Alternate Earth 0 Future (Superman reveals himself in 2965) (Unnamed) (Mentioned only)
- 2965 (Mentioned only)
- United States of America
- Metropolis (Mentioned only)
- United States of America
- 2965 (Mentioned only)
- Post-Flashpoint Multiverse
- Earth 0/Prime Earth/Metaverse (Flashback and main story) (Also in a vision) (Destroyed) (Rebirth) (First appearance as Metaverse)
- 1940
- United States of America (Flashback only)
- 1954
- United States of America
- Amaldo's Diner (Flashback only)
- United States of America
- 1960s
- Earth
- United States of America
- Smallville (Flashback only)
- Kent Farm (Flashback only) (Cameo)
- Smallville (Flashback only)
- United States of America
- Mirfak (Mentioned only)
- Earth
- 2005
- United States of America
- Carver Colman's residence (Single appearance) (Flashback only) (Cameo)
- United States of America
- 2019
- Earth
- Iran (On a TV or computer screen) (Cameo)
- Israel
- United States of America
- Gotham City
- Ali Barber (Single appearance) (Cameo)
- Batcave (Cameo)
- Metropolis
- Washington, D.C.
- Capitol Building (Cameo)
- Washington Monument (Cameo)
- Gotham City
- India (Mentioned only)
- Japan (Mentioned only)
- Kahndaq (Mentioned only)
- Markovia (Mentioned only)
- Russia (Mentioned only)
- Moscow (Mentioned only)
- Mars (Mentioned only)
- 1917 (Mentioned only)
- Badhnisia (Mentioned only)
- 1973 (Mentioned only)
- United States of America (Mentioned only)
- 2020 (Mentioned only)
- 1940
- Speed Force (Flashback only) (Also in a vision) (Behind the scenes)
- Watchmen Universe (Unnamed)
- 1945
- United States of America
- New York City
- Brooklyn (Flashback only)
- New York City
- United States of America
- 1959
- United States of America
- Arizona
- Gila Flats (Flashback only)
- New Jersey
- Amusement Park (Flashback only)
- Slater House (Mentioned only)
- Arizona
- United States of America
- 1984
- United States of America
- New York City (Flashback only)
- Rockefeller Center (Mentioned only)
- New York City (Flashback only)
- United States of America
- 1985
- Earth
- United States of America
- New York
- New York City (In ruins) (Flashback only)
- Maine
- Fitzgerald Mental Home (Mentioned only)
- New York
- United States of America
- Mars (Mentioned only)
- Earth
- 1992
- Earth
- United States of America
- Hollis House
- New York City (In ruins)
- United States of America
- Mars (Cameo)
- Earth
- 1993
- United States of America
- New York City
- Veidt Tower (Cameo)
- New York City
- United States of America
- 1946 (Mentioned only)
- 1947 (Mentioned only)
- 1948 (Mentioned only)
- 1945
- Earth 0/Prime Earth/Metaverse (Flashback and main story) (Also in a vision) (Destroyed) (Rebirth) (First appearance as Metaverse)
- Pre-Crisis Multiverse (Flashback only)
- Earth-One/"Earth-1" (In a vision) (Cameo)
- Earth-Two/"Earth-2" (Also in a vision)
- 1910s
- Earth
- United States of America
- Smallville
- Kent Farm (Flashback only) (Cameo)
- Smallville
- United States of America
- Krypton (In a vision) (Destroyed)
- Saturn (In a vision) (Cameo)
- Earth
- 1938
- United States of America
- Metropolis (Flashback only) (Cameo)
- United States of America
- 1910s
Items:
- The Anti-Monitor's Armor (Flashback only) (Cameo)
- Batsuit (Flashback and main story) (Also in a vision)
- Batrope
- Utility Belt (Flashback and main story) (Also in a vision)
- Batwing Suit (In a vision) (Cameo)
- Bracelets of Submission (Flashback and main story) (Also in a vision)
- Cosmic Staff (Also in a vision)
- Doctor Mid-Nite's Goggles (Also in a vision)
- Donna Troy's Lasso (Also in a vision)
- Firestorm Matrix
- Green Arrow's Bow (Flashback and main story)
- Green Lantern Rings (Also in a vision)
- Helmet of Fate (Flashback and main story)
- Hermes' Helmet (Flashback and main story) (Also in a vision)
- Hourman's Hourglass
- Miraclo (Behind the scenes)
- Intrinsic Field Generator (Flashback only) (Also in a vision)
- Janey Slater's Watch (Flashback only)
- Joe Chill's Gun (Cameo)
- Lasso of Truth (Also in a vision)
- Legion Flight Rings (Also in a vision)
- Manhunter Armor
- New York Times (Flashback only) (Cameo)
- Nth Metal
- Rorschach's Journal
- Rorschach's Mask
- Sandman's Gas Gun (Cameo)
- Sandman's Gas Mask (Cameo)
- Soultaker Sword
- Starheart (Flashback and main story) (Also in a vision)
- S.T.R.I.P.E. Armor
- Trident of Poseidon (Also in a vision)
- Vibrational Emitter
- Wonder Woman's Tiaras (Also in a vision)
Vehicles:
- 1937 Ford (Flashback only) (Cameo)
- Interceptor
- Kents' Truck (Flashback only)
- Kryptonian Rocket (Flashback only) (Also in a vision)
Events:
- The Crises (In a vision)
- The First Crisis (Flashback only)
- The Flashpoint (Flashback only)
- Secret Crisis (Mentioned only)
- Time Masters Crisis (Mentioned only)
- Doctor Manhattan's "Time Experiment"
- World War II (Flashback only)
- Bombing of Hiroshima (Mentioned only)
Concepts:
- Anti-Crisis Energy (Unnamed)
- Antimatter (Flashback only)
- Doomsday Clock (Mentioned only)
- The Eternal Return
- Magic
- Metahumans
- Possible Futures
- Superman Theory
- Time Travel
Notes
- The Justice League and Lex Luthor's story chronologically continues in the Sixth Dimension storyline and, then, in the Justice/Doom War storyline.
- Clark Dreiberg's story is continued in Flashpoint Beyond (Volume 1).
- This story ultimately reveals that the main DC Universe (from the Prime Universe to Prime Earth) is a sentient reality, known as the Metaverse, which shapes itself around the existence of Superman and these changes, in turn, reshape the Multiverse.
- After years of manipulations, Doctor Manhattan undoes "his experiment" on Prime Earth, rebooting its timeline and restoring the existence of both the Justice Society of America and the Legion of Super-Heroes.
- The revisions to the timeline of Earth 0 from this story are first reflected in Wonder Woman #750 where Wonder Woman is considered to be the first contemporary superhero, having debuted in 1939.
- This aspect was meant to be part of the original plan for Generations.
- Some other revisions to the timeline that happened, but prior to the comic's release, were the Justice Society of America's return to the DC Universe in Justice League (Volume 4) #30 and the introduction of the Post-Rebirth Legion of Super-Heroes.[1][2]
- Doctor Manhattan's last actions before returning to his universe in the epilogue of this story are addressed in Flash Forward #6 and Dark Nights: Death Metal #1.
- The revisions to the timeline of Earth 0 from this story are first reflected in Wonder Woman #750 where Wonder Woman is considered to be the first contemporary superhero, having debuted in 1939.
- Doctor Manhattan foresees Superman's possible futures, teasing possible events, including the "5G Initiative" that was eventually changed to DC Future State, and possible future Crises, including a possible Marvel crossover.
- Manhattan states that Earth 0 will be altered in 2020 by the energies of the Old Gods. This came to be true in some ways as the supreme rulers of the Greater Omniverse, The Hands, reshaped the history of Earth 0 in the aftermath of the unknotting of the timeline and the destruction and rebirth of Creation;
- Cleopatra Pak is heralded to become Nostalgia on her 16th birthday, which is eventually shown in Flashpoint Beyond #6;
- The existence of Earth-5G has actually been averted;[3]
- Doctor Manhattan foreshadows Superman searching for Bruce's "lost daughter" in 2026. In a near, possible future of Earth 0, Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle will actually have a daughter, Helena Wayne,[4] like they previously had in the Pre-Crisis continuity, that is eventually displaced to Prime Earth.[5]
Trivia
- This story marks the fourth time that Prime Earth is rebooted after the Rebirth, the merge between New Earth and Prime Earth in Superman: Reborn and Flex Mentallo's reboot during Milk Wars.
- The next major reboot of the reality will happen in Dark Nights: Death Metal #7.
- The idea of "everything being shaped around Earth 0" was originally suggested to Batman by Molly the Keeper in Justice League (Volume 3) #25.
- Anita Maez makes her first appearance during the events of Flashpoint Beyond (Volume 1) that take place two years after the events of this storyline.
- Secret Crisis is obviously a nod to Marvel Comics' Secret Wars crossover event.
See Also