Whilst I've read books with the Doom Patrol in it, this is the first actual Doom Patrol comic that I've picked up. Thanks to having picked up a few things in other comics, and to the popularity of the television series, I'm aware enough of who the characters are and how they operate before I went into this issue; but I was still excited to see what they'd be like out on their own adventures.
It seems like this new Unstoppable Doom Patrol series, and the team's mission, is spinning out of the the events of Lazarus Planet. Following the Lazarus Rain that caused people to mutate and develop powers there have been more new meta-humans popping up all over the place. Whilst some are simply gaining new powers, others are becoming more obviously different, and no longer look human. With the Doom Patrol being all about being outsiders and weirdos, they want to try and help those who've found their lives changed thanks to the Lazarus Rain.
It looks like they've started doing this before the series begins, as they're already joined by a new member; Best Girl. Beast Girl is a small, purple furred girl with horns who's able to manipulate the fight of flight responses in other people. She seems like a pretty cool new character, and has a fairly pleasant personality and seems eager to help. I also like the fact that her code name is Beast Girl, as a nod towards Beast Boy, who was a member of the team for a while when he was younger.
The team head into Gotham in order to help a new meta-human who's being experimented on by a corporation that's been conducting experiments on the new metas. When they arrive the windows of the building above them shatter, and monstrous creatures come pouring out. The Doom Patrol have to try and fight off the creatures, along with the security guards who come after them; as well as the meta that they're there to save, who's grown into a huge hulking creature.
It's at this point that Batman and Robin (Tim) arrive on the scene ready to take over. I love how Crazy Jane, now the group's Chief, just instantly shuts him down on this matter. This might be his city, but this is their mission, and their kind of area, so she doesn't allow him to take over or dictate what's going to happen. It almost feels like a bit of meta commentary on how Batman will suddenly appear books that aren't even Batman books, and will take over things. Unstoppable Doom Patrol teases the idea of that happening here, but say no, because the Doom Patrol are not your average super heroes, and aren't going to step aside out of the spotlight for Batman. There are also some fun moments where Jane talks about the revolving doors at Arkham and the repeating systems villains find themselves in.
Whilst all this is happening Robot Man and Beast Girl manage to get through to the new meta, and are able to calm him down enough to get him to agree to go with them. This new member of the team, called Degenerate, is powered by his anger, and seems to be a big, lumpy ball of rage ready to kick off at any moment. He makes a nice counter balance to Best Girl, the other new member, who just seems super chipper. After things settle down in Gotham we see a brief scene that shows that the government is up to something, and that Peacemaker has selected someone from Taskforce X's espionage unit to infiltrate the team; giving us hints that there's something big coming for the Doom Patrol.
Scattered throughout are scenes that follow Monsieur Mallah and the Brain, who has now got himself a robotic ape body like his friend. The two of them battle through hordes of the undead to enter the stronghold of General Immortus. Once inside, Mallah turns against Brain, and the two of them have a fight that leaves one of them apparently dead. This is a pretty surprising turn, as the two characters always come as a pair, and it seems to be showing that not only is Dennis Culver going to be trying new and interesting things for some of these familiar characters, but that you're going to struggle to be able to predict everything that's going to happen.
The art on the book, by Chris Burnham and Brian Reber as artist and colourist respectively, looks fantastic. Burnham has a style that fits in the super hero universe, but kind of also feels very different. The work reminds me of Frank Quietly a lot of the time (one of my favourite comic artists), and much like Quietly, Burnham's art is able to marry the 'normal' parts of the universe with the really bizarre. Characters like Degenerate and Beast Girl look fantastic, with Degenerate looking lumpy, misshapen, and gross thanks to all of the little details and flair that Burnham give him. Beast Girl manages to look completely alien and weird, but also incredibly cute too. The panel where she uses her powers to scare off some enemies is one of the most adorable things around. The writing on the book is great, and the art makes everything pop and grab your attention. I honestly can't wait to see what this creative team does together, because it seems like it's going to be fantastic.
This might be my first real Doom Patrol comic, but it's definitely not going to be my last. This series is going to be one that I'm eagerly awaiting each month, and I've definitely been given a jolt to go back and try some of the older stuff. If you're similar, if you've never really tried a Doom Patrol book before and are unsure about giving this series a try, just try it. It's only six issues long (so far, hopefully more!) and if the first issue is any indication it's going to be a fantastic six issues that you're not going to want to miss out on.
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