Review: The Gloriously Gritty Return Of A Cult Favourite In ‘Unstoppable Doom Patrol’ #1

With people all over the world now in possession of the metagene, courtesy of the fallout from the recent Lazarus Planet Batman-led event, this latest reiteration of the Doom Patrol has a new missions new purpose. And, their first port of call in trying to save the monsters of the world, is Gotham City. 

Meanwhile, somewhere in Switzerland, The Brain is trying to get the Brotherhood of Evil back together again, and he’s sporting an all-new gorilla shaped robot armour to get it done. So, something classic and something new, as writer Dennis Culver drops the reader right in the middle of the action and allowing the ensuing dialogue to reveal the Doom patrol’s new M.O. and, in doing so, out-logic Batman himself. Or, at lest the new Doom Patrol’s Chief, Crazy Jane, does. A very different and very confident Crazy Jane from the one I remember. 

Chris Burnham’s rough-edged style of art is perfect for this slightly off-kilter comic book. It’s a style that suits the more alternative corner of the DC Comics, with a vibe for underground comix to his etchings. It’s certainly a style that adds an extra bit of gritty to the already gritty streets of Gotham offering up a city that’s spiritual home is New York city in the stinking’ seventies. Although, surprisingly, and thanks to colourist Brian Reber, it’s not a Gotham that is too gothic. There is a good dal of colour, often helping add a dash of energy to the fight-action scenes as the Doom patrol, and later Batman and Robin, battle corporate stooges. Add another evil multinational to the list. The DCU certainly has its share of nasty conglomerates these days. But, I suppose it makes up for Lexcorp being handed over to Superman. 

Narratively, it’s s tight, excellently paced issue that does a grand job of introducing the new team, and new member, Beast Girl, as well as establish their new status in the DCU with just the right amount of mystery thrown in. And, finishing with not one, but two revelations that helps set up what’s to come in future issue, and whet the readers’ appetite for more. 

Unstoppable Doom Patrol #1 offers up something familiar, but something new too, with highly detailed and dynamic art that suggests this is something more than just the usual mainstream DC comic book. And out now from DC Comics.