The controversial move is finally official. Mark Waid’s New History of the DC Universe #4 confirms that Doctor Manhattan and the Watchmen are now a core part of DC’s timeline, and they’ve brought the Wildstorm and Absolute Universes with them.
For years, DC Comics has danced around the edges of a full-blown integration of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ seminal work, Watchmen, into its mainline continuity. From the tantalizing tease of a blood-stained button to the universe-shattering events of Doomsday Clock, the publisher has slowly moved the pieces into place. As of today, with the release of New History of the DC Universe #4, the move is no longer a tease—it’s a reality. The issue, penned by legendary DC historian Mark Waid, officially canonizes Watchmen, the Wildstorm Universe, and the new Absolute Universe, fundamentally reshaping the past, present, and future of the DC Multiverse.
This isn’t just another retcon; it’s a deliberate and seismic shift in DC’s foundational lore, with the omnipotent Doctor Manhattan revealed as a key architect behind the DC Universe’s most turbulent moments. For fans who have followed the breadcrumbs, it’s a massive payoff. For others, it’s a controversial decision that permanently alters the DNA of comics’ most iconic characters.
Caption: New History of the DC Universe #4 brings Watchmen, Wildstorm, and the Absolute Universe into official DC continuity Credit: DC Comics Source: League of Comic Geeks
The Hand of Manhattan: How Doctor Manhattan Shaped the DCU
The biggest bombshell dropped in New History of the DC Universe #4 is the confirmation that Doctor Manhattan was the invisible hand behind the creation of the New 52. The issue, narrated by a now-powerless Barry Allen as he chronicles the history of the multiverse, revisits the aftermath of Flashpoint. As Barry recounts the events that led to the controversial 2011 reboot, the comic explicitly shows the hand of Doctor Manhattan meddling with the timeline. As reported by Bleeding Cool, this act positions Manhattan not just as a visitor, but as a central force in DC’s modern history.
The integration goes beyond a simple cameo. The issue firmly plants the events of Geoff Johns and Gary Frank’s Doomsday Clock into the official canon. Barry’s narration recalls Wally West discovering the Comedian’s blood-stained button, the very object that kicked off the mystery in DC Rebirth #1. This small, iconic pin becomes the symbol of a much larger invasion, confirming that the clash between Superman and Doctor Manhattan was a canonical event that had lasting repercussions on the fabric of reality.
This move finally provides a definitive answer to years of speculation about the canonicity of Doomsday Clock. While some subsequent stories seemed to ignore its events, Waid’s New History makes it clear: it happened, and it mattered. This is a significant step in DC’s ongoing effort to streamline its often-confusing continuity, a problem that has plagued the publisher since the original Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Not Just Watchmen: Wildstorm and the “Ultimate” Absolute Universe Join the Fray
While the Watchmen integration is grabbing headlines, it’s not the only major addition to DC’s history. New History #4 also officially folds in the Wildstorm Universe. Characters from the imprint, created by Jim Lee, have been floating around the DCU since the New 52, but their history has often been muddled. For the first time, this issue gives them a proper place in the timeline, acknowledging the war between the Daemonites and Kherubim and the role of teams like Stormwatch and Team Seven.
Perhaps more intriguingly, the issue name-drops the “Absolute Universe,” the new line of comics that has been running parallel to the main DCU. In a telling moment, Barry Allen refers to it as an “Ultimate” universe, a clear nod to Marvel’s influential Ultimate line from the 2000s. This not only acknowledges the new universe’s existence but also hints at its conceptual origins, positioning it as a fresh, modern take on DC’s heroes, much like Marvel’s Ultimate Universe was for a new generation of readers. This is a major development for fans following the recent DC’s K.O. crossover event, which has heavily featured the Absolute Universe.
Caption: Doctor Manhattan from Watchmen is revealed as a key force shaping the DC Universe timeline Credit: DC Comics Source: DC Database
A New Foundation: What This Means for the Future of DC Comics
Mark Waid’s New History of the DC Universe is more than just a history lesson; it’s a mission statement. As ComicBook.com noted in its review of the first issue, the series is an attempt to create a definitive, accessible timeline for new and old fans alike. By canonizing major events like Doomsday Clock and formally integrating imprints like Wildstorm and Milestone (which was canonized in issue #3), DC is building a more cohesive and unified multiverse.
This has huge implications for the future. The issue teases the return of the Legion of Super-Heroes, a fan-favorite team that has been largely absent in recent years. It also shines a spotlight on the next generation of heroes, including Jon Kent as Superman, Wallace West as Kid Flash, and Jackson Hyde as Aqualad, cementing their place as the future of the DCU. The series serves as a perfect primer for understanding the evolution of comic book sidekicks into legacy heroes.
The decision to fully integrate Watchmen will undoubtedly remain a point of contention. Alan Moore has been famously outspoken about his disapproval of DC’s use of his characters. However, from a storytelling perspective, DC has been building towards this for nearly a decade. With New History of the DC Universe, the publisher is finally committing to that direction, for better or worse.
For fans, this means a richer, more complex DC Universe where the grim realism of Watchmen coexists with the bright optimism of Superman. It’s a bold new era for DC Comics, one where the clock has finally struck midnight, and everything has changed.
New History of the DC Universe #4 is on sale now from DC Comics.
Sources
- Bleeding Cool: New History Of The DC Universe Adds Watchmen, Wildstorm And Absolute – https://bleedingcool.com/comics/new-history-of-the-dc-universe-adds-watchmen-wildstorm-and-absolute/
- ComicBook.com: New History of the DC Universe #1 Perfectly Lives Up to Its Name – https://comicbook.com/comics/news/new-history-of-the-dc-universe-review/
- ComicBook.com: New History of the DC Universe #3 Canonizes DC’s Most Important Period (Review) – https://comicbook.com/comics/review/new-history-of-the-dc-universe-3-canonizes-dcs-most-important-period-review/
