Written by: Scott Lobdell
Art by: Javier Fernandez, Ulises Arreola and Corey Breen
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: September 16, 2015
The Monster Inside
I guess everyone knows by now, but if not, let me drop a knowledge bomb on you...Doomed has been canceled. The last issue will be November's #6 and while the book hasn't burned up the sales charts, I have been a fan. Listen, I know this book is far from perfect, but it really had the potential to be a fun romp with a reluctant teen hero whose name is not Peter Parker. I joke, but in a perfect world, this book could have been DC's answer to Marvel's web slinger. Unfortunately, this is far from a perfect world and Scott Lobdell used the first handful of issues to give us everything but Reiser and Doomed. That's another thing that has bothered me since this book kicked off in June...what do we call the Doomed monster? Don't discount how much word of mouth helps a book and without a defined name, it really suffers. I was going to call him "Henry", but I think I'll go with "Doomed". No, I think "Monster" is better. Crap, let's just call him the "Doomed Monster". No, Lobdell does use "Doomed" this issue. Yes, I just proved my point and taught you a lesson in marketing at the same time. You're welcome. Let's get on with the review...
The issue opens with the Doomed talking and getting the crap kicked out of him by Wonder Girl. With all the things we haven't gotten from the narrative since this book began, one thing we have is Reiser telling us what other people think about him when he's in his monster form. If you haven't been reading up until now, I'll give you a hint, they don't like him. The main problem here, however, is that the only one who has been able to understand his monster talk (monstre) is Miles and with him nowhere to be found this issue, we again get a pretty one-sided discussion. It is some good fun watching Wonder Girl beat him up, but then Scott Lobdell decides to throw a little out of sequence story telling at the reader and only succeeds in screwing up the pacing of the story.
Oh well, instead of watching a fun (if one-sided brawl) we see the Doomed taking Oui Oui home to his Aunt Belle. We get more inner dialogue and while I wanted more fighting, this scene was actually pretty funny. Without her glasses, Aunt Belle pulls a Mr. Magoo and doesn't even know that her nephew has turned into a scaly red monster. It doesn't last long as Reiser bails before his Aunt can wise up.
The book then shifts into la la land with Reiser imagining his life stuck as Doomed. It's not as funny as I think Lobdell wanted it to be, but it's quick enough and ends with Doomed going A-Bomb and passing out. Then a really interesting thing happens...Clarice (his almost love from the first issue) shows up, whispers sweet nothings (monstre?) in his ear and turns him back to plain old Reiser. I knew she was more than a squatter who takes anyone home.
After seeing the beginning of Wonder Girl's involvement with Star Labs (complete with a ridiculous non explanation of why Kid Flash and Power Girl are nowhere to be found this month) we get back to the fight that started the issue. It quickly turns into one of those "why is the monster saving me?" scenes as Doomed saves Wonder Girl and reverts back to a naked Reiser. It looks like Wonder Girl's lasso was what turned him back, but we don't get a concrete answer on that front, but Wonder Girl tells him he'll be alright. This is the second time someone has told Reiser that and I don't know about you, but he doesn't seem fine to me.
Wonder Girl then tells Reiser the abbreviated version of her origin, says she won't tell Star Labs about him and assures him that he's a good guy. I was still laughing as she walked away...she doesn't know anything about him! The issue ends with the least shocking reveal I've read in a while, it looks like Reiser was infected by the Doomsday spores in Star Labs. Is anyone shocked? At least jayne is surprised, but that may be because Superman has shown up as the cliffhanger for next issue.
If you couldn't tell, I didn't like this issue. It's more of the same and even though it feels like Scott Lobdell was trying to expand the story, it's mostly stuff we already know or have figured out. The best part was Clarice, but because her character hasn't been developed enough, it falls a little flat. Issues ago, Superman showing up would have been cool, but now it just feels like more nonsense that will clutter the book.
I did like Javier Fernandez's art again this month. Ulises Arreola's colors combine with his pencils to make this a vibrant and colorful book that has a great sense of motion and character expression.
Bits and Pieces:
This is another frustrating issue of Doomed. I've been waiting patiently for information and what little new stuff we get here is shrouded in mystery. It's time for Scott Lobdell to stop playing games and give it to us straight. I did like the art this issue, but in the end, I can't recommend this issue.
Oh well, instead of watching a fun (if one-sided brawl) we see the Doomed taking Oui Oui home to his Aunt Belle. We get more inner dialogue and while I wanted more fighting, this scene was actually pretty funny. Without her glasses, Aunt Belle pulls a Mr. Magoo and doesn't even know that her nephew has turned into a scaly red monster. It doesn't last long as Reiser bails before his Aunt can wise up.
The book then shifts into la la land with Reiser imagining his life stuck as Doomed. It's not as funny as I think Lobdell wanted it to be, but it's quick enough and ends with Doomed going A-Bomb and passing out. Then a really interesting thing happens...Clarice (his almost love from the first issue) shows up, whispers sweet nothings (monstre?) in his ear and turns him back to plain old Reiser. I knew she was more than a squatter who takes anyone home.
After seeing the beginning of Wonder Girl's involvement with Star Labs (complete with a ridiculous non explanation of why Kid Flash and Power Girl are nowhere to be found this month) we get back to the fight that started the issue. It quickly turns into one of those "why is the monster saving me?" scenes as Doomed saves Wonder Girl and reverts back to a naked Reiser. It looks like Wonder Girl's lasso was what turned him back, but we don't get a concrete answer on that front, but Wonder Girl tells him he'll be alright. This is the second time someone has told Reiser that and I don't know about you, but he doesn't seem fine to me.
Wonder Girl then tells Reiser the abbreviated version of her origin, says she won't tell Star Labs about him and assures him that he's a good guy. I was still laughing as she walked away...she doesn't know anything about him! The issue ends with the least shocking reveal I've read in a while, it looks like Reiser was infected by the Doomsday spores in Star Labs. Is anyone shocked? At least jayne is surprised, but that may be because Superman has shown up as the cliffhanger for next issue.
If you couldn't tell, I didn't like this issue. It's more of the same and even though it feels like Scott Lobdell was trying to expand the story, it's mostly stuff we already know or have figured out. The best part was Clarice, but because her character hasn't been developed enough, it falls a little flat. Issues ago, Superman showing up would have been cool, but now it just feels like more nonsense that will clutter the book.
I did like Javier Fernandez's art again this month. Ulises Arreola's colors combine with his pencils to make this a vibrant and colorful book that has a great sense of motion and character expression.
Bits and Pieces:
This is another frustrating issue of Doomed. I've been waiting patiently for information and what little new stuff we get here is shrouded in mystery. It's time for Scott Lobdell to stop playing games and give it to us straight. I did like the art this issue, but in the end, I can't recommend this issue.
5.0/10
Get ready for a sixth issue info dump!
ReplyDeleteI was saying that earlier today...it is going to be ridiculous
DeleteWhat's up with Superdick. It's not like Reiser meant to transform into a monstre and Jayne's just trying to fiigure out what's going on.
ReplyDelete