Doomsday Clock (without the setup)

[J.]

I don't know whether this is just me. But as a comic noob, I feel that a Doomsday Clock Omninbus/Absolute collection that only comprises the main 12 issues doesn't seem enough.

If I started Doomsday Clock issues #1-12, I'd feel like I dropped into the deep end of story.

If I had to put together a Doomsday Clock Omnibus, I'd try to follow Comic Book Herald's reading order: https://www.comicbookherald.com/readi...

PART ONE

Batman/Flash: The Button* (maybe no viable for print, but essential)
Superman: Reborn*
Superman: The Oz Effect*
Detective Comics: A Lonely Place of Living
JLA: Panic in the Microverse

PART TWO: Doomsday Clock Issues #1-6

PART THREE: Doomsday Clock Issues #7-12

*GNs I've read so far.
I have the rest, except for JLA part (I think).

What do you guys think?

[Richard]

Absolute editions don’t really do the whole collect everything function that omnibus do. It’s usually a full run of a complete story (preacher, swamp thing, sandman, transmetrpolitan - or a single event - infinite Crises, absolute sinestro war, absolute flashpoint - which is 272 pages compared to flashpoint omnibus which is 1512 pages. So as I would love a doomsday clock omni. I’m not mad at the absolute, and there’s are def smaller absolutes out there.

[Blindzider, Moderator]

I agree with Richard which is why I think an omni would be better for me to include the things you listed (I had only read The Button before reading D Clock.) And while the quality on the story is phenomenal, it's impact is significantly lessened because of Rebirth, so I don't feel the need to spend the extra money on an Absolute. May even just go with the Button OHC and the D Clock OHCs.

I had a similar issue with Absolute Flash Rebirth. I really wanted the "Road to Rebirth" stories also, but that's not really the function of the Absolute.

One interesting exception is Absolute Planetary. The original books didn't include the crossovers with Batman and Justice League, but I had sold my single copies expecting it to be included and was really made when they didn't. Now they've reissued the Absolute as one volume to include those.

I'm not sure anyone is thinking through these collections anymore. I think they are running out of "top tier" material to put into that format.

[Johnny]

Yes, when it is collected in an omnibus I am sure it will include everything just like Flashpoint did.

[noelbeast]

So as a complete DC noob who has really only delved into the original Watchmen, I find this topic quite interesting, and I have questions:

1. Doomsday Clock is a direct sequel to Watchmen, yes? Would it therefore be better to wait for an omnibus edition (assuming one comes out) that will have everything included? Is it fairly standalone, or as a non-DC reader, will I get lost in the weeds?
2. Not related, but I know there’s also the prequel: Before Watchmen. I’ve heard mixed reviews, but I know there’s an omnibus of that. Recommended pickup?

[Richard]

I haven’t read doomsday clock. So I can’t speak to that. But as far as the before watchmen omnibus. I enjoyed it as a aspect of world building. But it is def a far cry from Alan moores work. It has more in common with modern comics, say - from bendis … than it does Alan moores watchmen which is 1 of times 100 greatest novels of all time.

[Darth Bane]

To me the point of this collection is to showcase Gary Frank's kick ass art! There will be tons of extras, plus oversized goodness

[Richard]

I agree! I think more than anything absolutes are there to showcase the artwork. Hence why I have a planetary omnibus and an absolute edition 👀.