Hey everyone this is my first post so I apologize if this has been posited before,
Just finished reading Doomsday Clock and I loved the slow burn of storytelling. Now I must confess that I form many theories while reading long-form stories which end up being completely off-mark, but one part of this story made form one that I think would be quite compelling, though it probably isn't true due to its effect on other stories in the DC universe. I'd like to hear your opinions on it though, so here it goes:
So one of the major themes that seems to be at play throughout Rebirth is hope. Its positive effects and the negative effects of the loss of it. Also, fathers seem to be a major factor in the story i.e. Action Comics - Jor-El and Batman - Thomas Wayne. Both fathers roles try to dissuade the characters from being the heroes that they are. This seems to be a major diversion from their previous characterizations as upstanding people. Parenthood also seems to be a factor in the Watchmen universe with the two fugitive parents looking for their kid, though fitting with that universe, they are terrible people.
Which leads me to the final panel in the comic with that universe, where Ozymandias states they need to find Jon, wherever he is. The next scene is of Superman. This can be seen as alluding to Dr. Manhattan fleeing to their universe, but I have a theory. With parenthood and hope being such strong themes, and Superman being central to them, it only seems natural to involve Superboy in the story. Jon Kent has become a huge character with Rebirth and a standout to the hope in the universe in general. But who does he share his name with? His grandfather of course, but also Dr. Manhattan himself, Jon Osterman. So here lies my theory:
Superboy is a part of Dr. Manhattan. It's the part that is still hopeful for mankind. Superboy came to be under very dubious circumstances and just happened to be right when the Rebirth initiative was conceived. So my theory goes Dr. Manhattan came to the DC universe, then continued his experiments. Seeing the positivity of the universe led him to try to see where the negativity of his original universe came from. Thus he messed with everything creating the new 52. But the universe fought back, and with it so did the hopeful part of himself. This created Superboy who will become integral to the story in convincing Manhattan that there is good in the world.
Possibly even ending the story with Manhattan learning from Superman, Batman, and Superboy that there is hope and returning to fix the Watchmen universe.
I'm sorry for being long-winded, but this popped in my head and I really wanted some feedback. Thanks everybody.