Ever since spoilers leaked for DC Universe: Rebirth #1 many fans, blogs and sites have speculated on what easter eggs writer Geoff Johns may be referencing when folks combed through the issue.
Spoilers follow for DC Universe Rebirth #1.
A big rumour or theory circulating the ‘net is that a page in Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan #4 “reveals” that Dr. Manhattan created the DC Comics New 52 or the DC Comics Rebirth’d Earth.
The page in question and the following page are below.
However, this theory seems less plausible when one reads DC Universe: Rebirth #1.
In fact, writer Geoff Johns explains that Dr. Manhattan didn’t create the DC New 52, but stole 10 years from it when it was created after Flashpoint.
So, Watchmen’s Dr. Manhattan did not create the DC New 52 or the new DC Rebirth world. He stole 10 years from the New 52 DC Comics world when it was being reformed after Flashpoint. The purpose of this time theft was to weaken the world for some reason.
DC Comics have explained to several media that the Watchmen narrative will simmer in the background of DC Rebirth until the time is right.
As such, since Dr. Manhattan did not actually create the New 52, my advice is don’t waste your time paying inflated prices for Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan #4 on the secondary market. It’s currently lighting up eBay.
However, the end of DC Universe Rebirth #1 does actually tie into a specific issue of the original Watchmen mini-series.
That’s at the end of DC Universe: Rebirth #1.
That’s dialogue directly taken from Watchmen #12 between Dr. Manhattan and Ozymandias.
Check out the middle panels below.
And, its clear at the end of DC Universe: Rebirth #1, that we’re on Mars which is a place of solitude for Dr. Manhattan as established in Watchmen.
I wouldn’t recommend going on the secondary market to buy Watchmen #12 either, but if you really want this story and the Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan one pick up the respective trade paperbacks or hardcovers at your local comic shoppe. (Please Note: The Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan mini-series is paired with Before Watchmen: Nite Owl in its collected form.)
With the collected editions at least you’ll get the full story at a fraction of the inflated eBay prices. Plus, for Watchmen in particular, the quality of pages are better in the collected edition.