After so many delays, the fateful showdown arrives.
- Issue 12:
- Alfred having a Big Damn Hero moment, clocking a racist asshole who attacked Reggie (who refuses to retaliate). Alfred, being Alfred, knocks him out in the most sophisticated way possible. And the best part? Batman was nearby and just let Alfred have his moment. One reviewer noted that Alfred proved once again why Batman desperately needs him as his anchor.
- Lex Luthor zapping the Comedian back to his original point of origin complete with Precision F-Strike — which means right back to when he was supposed to die.Lex Luthor: I don't use that language often myself, but it's appropriate. You Goddamn asshole.
- Rorschach II saving Ozymandias, ruining his plan to die a hero and asserting himself as a better man than both Veidt and his predecessor.Rorschach: You live. Pay for your crimes. Rot in prison.
Ozymandias: You're... not Rorschach.
Rorschach: No. Rorschach is me.
◊ - A two page spread of Superman side by side with the Legion of Super-Heroes and the Justice Society of America, restored to their rightful places in the timeline at last.
- Johnny Thunder, alone and desperate, suddenly hears a voice reminding him of something... he didn't throw away the Thunderbolt. He became the Thunderbolt.Johnny Thunder: I... I did, didn't I? CEI-U!
- The way Superman saves the day. Rather than fighting Manhattan, he saves his life when Pohzar sneak attacks him. When Manhattan is bewildered by this, Superman says that while he doesn't know what to make of all the new revelations Manhattan has just made, he does know Manhattan has a choice. He also points out to Manhattan that with every step he takes, he leaves behind a photo of himself and Janey, then asks if she's important to him. He persuades Manhattan that maybe he's supposed to Take a Third Option. Manhattan proceeds to do just that, resetting the universe and saving everyone.
- In other words, Superman saves the day by being what he's supposed to be — not a Darker and Edgier Anti-Hero, not a man who could be truly dangerous if he really cut loose, but by being the Hope Bringer who always does his best to bring out the better nature in others.
