Doomsday Clock

The Nuclear Doomsday Clock is a symbolic representation of how close the world is to catastrophic destruction. It is based on the real-world Doomsday Clock, which performs a similar function. The closer the clock stands to midnight, the nearer the world is to Armageddon.

In Chapter I of Watchmen, a newspaper on Adrian Veidt's desk has the headline "Nuclear Doomsday Clock Stands At Five To Midnight".

Symbolism

Clock striking "12" on the cover of Watchmen Chapter XII.

The cover page of each chapter of Watchmen has an image of a clockface. The clock on the cover of Chapter I is set at twelve minutes to midnight, and on the cover of each subsequent chapter the clock is moved forward by one minute. The clock on the cover of the final chapter, Chapter XII, is set to midnight. The final page in each chapter also bears a clockface showing the same time as the one on the cover.

The blood-stained badge of the Comedian, which appears on the cover of Chapter I, symbolically represents a clock with its minute hand pointing at twelve minutes to the hour.

Veidt's master plan takes place at midnight, New York local time. On page 27 of Chapter XI, a clock set to New York time is pictured at one minute to midnight. A clock, covered in blood and set to midnight, appears on the cover and first page of Chapter XII.

See also

Clocks and watches

External link

Doomsday Clock at Wikipedia