CRISIS OF REBIRTH, PART TWO: Who Is Dr. Manhattan?

THE WATCHMEN was a comic book series published in 1986-1987 by DC Comics, created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Originally, Moore's storyline involved the heroes of Charlton Comics, but the editors convinced Moore to create new characters instead, thus preserving the Charlton characters for future use. The series took place during the 1960s, and in this alternate history, the United States won the Vietnam War. In addition, the Watergate Scandal was never exposed to the world. By the late 80s, World War III was forthcoming between the States and the Soviet Union. The heroes that operated during the 60s were forced out of retirement by the murder of a US government official. These heroes were the Watchmen: Dr. Manhatten, Rorschach, the Comedian, Nite Owl, Ozymandius, and Silk Spectre. The series itself was told in a nonlinear manner and entire scenes had parallels to others in a variety of ways. It was critically acclaimed and is considered by many critics to be one of the most significant comic book works in the 20th Century. For the time being, this part of CRISIS OF REBIRTH will focus on one specific member of the Watchmen: Dr.Manhattan.

Dr. Manhattan was Dr. Jon Osterman, an analog of the Charlton/DC hero called Captain Atom. In 1959, he gained power over matter after being caught in what was called an Intristic Field Subtractor. Nuclear and quantum physics permeated this character. Over time, he distanced himself from his humanity, driven by the idea that one such as himself could not perceive time in a linear fashion. His realization of the idea that all events, including human action, were ultimately determined by factors external to the will. At this point, all human concerns were pointless to Osterman, without any true merit. He did have a relationship with a woman named Laurie, but when it ended he exiled himself to Mars, wary of being caught in the lives of humans. It was time for him to explore the galaxy.

Speculation: At some point, Dr. Manhattan became aware of the rest of the DC Multiverse, specifically its creation point, Earth-0. Riddled with skepticism, doubt and corruption, unable to understand the concept of hope, Dr. Manhattan split Earth-0 asunder into three separate worlds...Earth-0, Earth-13, and Earth-50...in hopes of weakening them for further study.

However, during the events known as Flashpoint, Pandora, the Mother of All Creation, sensed his unnatural intrusion and sought to fix it by reuniting the three worlds separated by his cold, casual aloofness. Using the power of Barry Allen, the speedster known as the Flash, Pandora reunited Earths 0, 13, and 50 to fortify the central world's protection, to unite its heroes for its defense. Unbeknownst to her, Dr. Manhattan, secretly took advantage of the moment and erased ten years from the DC Universe. This intervention, combined with Pandora's own interference, caused the formation of what is known as the New 52 Universe, wherein most superheroes were younger and much less inexperienced. In addition, the personal, intimate relationships that were a part of the lives of these heroes were also erased, weakening them even further.

And so, the Crisis of Rebirth began. Unaware of Dr. Manhattan's influence, Pandora began to covertly watch each and every hero of Earth-0. Satisfied that everything seemed to be the way it should be, Pandora then attended to personal matters. During once such occasion, Pandora visited Heaven with the group of heroes uncommonly called Justice League Dark. Memories and realizations of her true nature came forth, and she uncovered an ability to manifest a more powerful, golden, angelic form. She became a beacon of hope, and she used her newfound abilities to stamp out evil wherever she could.

Speculation: But Pandora's increased status was something Dr. Manhattan could not allow. Before, she seemed like nothing to him. Now, she was the Avatar of Hope.

And so, Dr. Manhattan disintegrated Pandora, wiping out her existence, unaware of the fact that she was the Mother of All Creation, someone who could never be truly eradicated. He didn't realize Pandora would just be born again anew, without memory or power, until the time was right for her to regain everything to help preserve the universe she created eons and eons ago.

To be continued...

NOTE: Pandora appeared in each and every first issue of New 52 comics published at the time, both first wave and second. The only book she did not appear in was EARTH 2. James Robinson, the writer of said comic, later confirmed that the reason Pandora wasn't seen there was because it was a separate universe. She was only concerned with Earth-0.