Some thoughts about Doomsday Clock #6

Who are the Mime and the Marionette?

Erika and Marcos lived in one of the most violent and rotten worlds imaginable and once that they come to another one, they will soon realize that things are not so different.

I was hoping for an issue concentrated in this particular duo and I'm glad is finally here.

Geoff Johns offers another chapter of his fantastic miniseries to focus on the fan-favorite characters he created for this universe. Since their introduction, Mime and Marionette have instantly gotten attention because of their personalities and entertaining scenes and now we finally have a glance to their pasts and how it marked both forever. As usual, Johns manages to makes their stories connect to the original Watchmen universe in a way that makes a lot of sense, particularly based on the period of time in which they lived and telling us a pretty realistic commentary about immigrants and their treatment in America that in some cases might even hit a bit close home in recent times.

Their appearance in the present and the main DCU is also solidly portrayed. Their interactions with the Joker of all people makes a lot of sense and Johns is surprisingly good at depicting the Clown Prince of Crime (fun lines like "Did Harley send you to kill me? My birthday is coming up" and "I could use a good dentist, it hurts when I smile" being some of the highlights) along with other classic villains which includes appropriate portrayals like the Riddler being just a simple man starved for attention, and all of this without losing the main theme of family that both Mime and Marionette have been powerfully representing. Add the little references to upcoming events like Heroes in Crisis and you have a story that is clearly suited in the DCU despite that it might not look like it.

What can I say about Gary Frank that it hasn't been said yet? He continues to elevate the script to immense levels, showing a great skill of storytelling that makes every scene, every single panel compelling.

Fantastic read once again, one of the best this week once again.