Review: Art Imitates Life In ‘Unstoppable Doom Patrol’ #5
by Olly MacNamee
Summary
Unstoppable Doom Patrol #5 is another suitably odd issue with Robotman and Elasti-Girl on the ground delivering up the action and knocking more than a few heads, while Niles Caulder, the new Chief and others come face to face with the CEO of Metagen Corporation.
Overall
10/10After a more subdues issue last time, the unstoppable Doom Patrol live up to their name in this latest issue with a barrel full of action pretty much from the get go, with the appropriately dynamic and energetic art from Chris Burnham, depicting Robotman and Elasti-Girl coming down hard on their latest target.
And while Robotman and friends serve up the action and act as a nifty distraction, Niles Caulder and company quietly go about the real mission in a town that is no more than a cover for the evil Metagen Corporation, who’s leader we meet in this issue. A man who has more than a passing resemblance to Elon Musk, who seems to be morphing into his very own supervillain in the real world. There’s certainly something of the art imitating life running through this issue, but it all adds to the fun of this off-kilt title. And it leads to a rather unexpected showdown between Caulder and the aforementioned CEO of Evil, Brian McClane; the world’s fourth richest man.
Rich in dialogue, courtesy of writer Dennis Culver, and high on action, Unstoppable Doom Patrol #5 is a well balanced and dense issue that even has time to catch up with General Immortus and his own machinations. A wonderful mxs of classic characters and new school villains. And, some rather gnarly, horrific moments that Burnham is so good at capturing on the page. Especially come the end of the issue when the strike team, on the ground, go toe-to-toe with an all new, genetical modified opponent. A side effect of tampering with nature that sets up the promise of even more gnarly action next issue with a very frantic and terrifying final page cliffhanger.
Another great issue that feels like one of DC Comics’ less main stream comics. But then, that’s about right for a gang that first made its dramatic return to comics via Vertigo. That spirit of oddness and bizarre adventures has been well captured by the whole team making this a book well worth checking out.
Unstoppable Doom Patrol #5 is to now from DC Comics
