It's tricky to do anything associated to Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, and John Higgins' Watchmen. Moore, in particular, has been very vocal about others touching the seminal piece of work and his zealous fanbase share the same sentiment. It's a scenario that many comic book creators would rather avoid than tackle.

Yet, Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, and Brad Anderson took the challenge by producing Doomsday Clock, the spiritual sequel to Watchmen. This 12-issue series has been delayed several times, but it's nearly approaching the end of the finish line. Despite the initial skepticism towards it, the creative team proved that there's something special (and often crazy) in their story. In fact, don't be surprised if it becomes a modern-day classic.

10 10. The Rorschach Reveal

Reggie Long as Rorscach in Doomsday Clock

When fans first saw pictures of Rorschach online, there was much confusion. After all, Walter Kovacs had been disintegrated by Dr. Manhattan at the end of Watchmen, so how was he still alive here? In the weeks building up to the release of Doomsday Clock, numerous theories speculated how Rorschach could've survived.

As it turns out, the new Rorschach is Reggie Long, the son of Malcolm Long who happened to be Kovacs' psychologist. After his parents died because of Adrian Veidt's monster being teleported to New York, Reggie went insane and ended up in a mental institution with the former Minuteman, Byron Lewis, who taught him how to defend himself.

9 9. Dr. Manhattan Vs. DC Heroes

One of the key premises of Doomsday Clock is that it sets up a mouth-watering battle between Superman and Dr. Manhattan. For years, fans have debated about who would come out on top between these two powerhouses and it looks like we'll have an answer in the near future.

Teasing just how powerful Manhattan truly is, a host of DC's most powerful and known heroes—such as the Green Lantern Corp, the Justice League, and Supergirl—were pitted against him in combat. Needless to say, the blue man wiped the floor with all of them, making everyone look like a bunch of white belt martial artists compared to him.

8 8. Firestorm's Disturbing Origin

Firestorm Doomsday Clock

Rather than reach for the more popular characters in the DC Universe, Doomsday Clock brings a lot of forgotten heroes and villains into the mix. It's giving everyone a bit of time in the spotlight and showcasing DC's vast array of characters. In the case of Firestorm, he's put front and center of one of the most surprising moments in the series.

While everyone remembers Firestorm's origin as a result of an accident that fused Ronnie Raymond with Professor Martin Stein, Doomsday Clock turns this origin on its head. It was never an accident, because Stein, as a member of the Department of Metahuman Affairs, manufactured it so he could learn about metahumans from the inside.

7 7. The Comedian's Resurrection

Look, in comic books, nothing is ever sacred. Characters meet their makers countless times and find a way to reappear by the next relaunch. Expectedly, the same thing was set to happen in Doomsday Clock, even though Moore is probably cursing the new creative team for undoing his work.

A huge talking point about Watchmen was how Adrian Veidt put an end to Edward Blake, aka the Comedian. Yet, in Doomsday Clock #2, Blake pops out of nowhere and attacks Veidt and Lex Luthor. In the subsequent issue, it's revealed that Dr. Manhattan saved Blake from his death in Watchmen and transported him to Metropolis.

6 6. Dr. Manhattan Removing The Justice Society Of America From History

A lot of folks have mentioned how DC Rebirth doesn't discuss the Justice Society of America very much. Well, the answer is likely linked to the events of Doomsday Clock, as Dr. Manhattan messes around with several key moments in comic book history and changes the course of the DC Universe.

It's revealed that Manhattan prevented Alan Scott from becoming the Green Lantern by pushing away the lantern moments before the infamous train wreck. As a result, the JSA was removed from history. So, it's a lot like the Butterfly Effect, whereby one crucial event can cause massive ripples in another multiverse.

5 5. The Joker Meeting The Comedian

The Joker and The Comedian in Doomsday Clock

As originally teased, the Joker has been a part of Doomsday Clock. While there haven't been any monumental, world-changing reveals about him to date, there's a feeling that he could have the final word before all things are said and done. Even so, the Clown Prince of Crime has caused havoc and had his fun here.

His meeting with the Comedian proved to be something that everyone longed for. After all, the two have been compared for being a few sandwiches short of a picnic. Instead of forging a partnership that might've scared the whole DC Universe, the Joker decided to joy-buzz him. It's rather hilarious.

4 4. Batman V Rorschach: The Dawn Of Breakfast

Batman and Rorschach in Doomsday Clock

Batman keeps the weirdest hours. While everyone is snoozing away and dreaming about how Thanos' snap will be reversed in Avengers: Endgame, he's gliding above the streets of Gotham City and keeping everyone safe. As a result, he'll be famished by the time he arrives back at the Batcave.

Of course, he has Alfred on hand to whip him up some delicious breakfast. In one of the more comical exchanges of Doomsday Clock, Rorschach decided to tuck into the Dark Knight's breakfast when he broke in. While there naturally were concerns about security and how Rorschach got in, Batman was more aggrieved about someone chowing his most important meal of the day.

3 3. Firestorm's International Incident

Firestorm in Doomsday Clock

While it was expected that several DC characters would have prominent roles in this storyline, no one expected Firestorm to be the one that stirred up an international incident. In fact, he almost unwittingly turned himself into one of the biggest villains by doing so.

In a showdown between Firestorm and Pozhar in Russia, the hero accidentally zapped a crowd of civilians into glass. It became breaking news around the world and Firestorm had to seek a place for him to hide from the authorities. As it turns out, he wasn't at fault for it and it was all part of Dr. Manhattan's conniving plan.

2 2. Mime And Marionette's Child

Mime and Marionette from Doomsday Clock #2

This is quite a biggie as the rumors of the identity of Mime and Marionette's child started almost as soon as readers found out about it. Of course, many consider Mime and Marionette as the Joker and Harley of the Watchmen. So, with the upcoming series about the three Jokers arriving, there's a presumption that there might be a link here.

Putting two and two together, the natural conclusion is that their child is one of the Jokers. It's entirely possible and could be utilized to explain how there are supposedly three Clown Princes running around in the DC Universe. We'll have to wait and see what happens here.

1 1. Superman As Public Enemy Number One

Instead of turning Superman into the stooge of the US government, like in The Dark Knight Returns, Doomsday Clock painted him out to be the hero who'll make unpopular decisions and consider doing the right thing before policy. After Firestorm's incident, Superman intervened, much to the dismay of the United States of America.

NEXT: How Doomsday Clock & Death of Superman Fit Into DC's Rebirth Continuity

While the US wanted the Man of Steel to stay out of the issue because it took place in Russia, he refused and headed on over. A massive explosion erupted, taking out Superman, Firestorm, and the Batwing; however, the government refused to support Big Blue. In short, he's enemy number one now.