Art by: Chris Burnham
Colors by: Brian Reber
Letters by: Pat Brosseau
Cover art by: Chris Burnham, Nick Filardi
Cover price: $3.99
Release date: March 28, 2023
Unstoppable Doom Patrol #1 begins the team's new quest to make the world a better place for metahumans mistreated and misused by every organization under the Sun.
Is It Good?
Unstoppable Doom Patrol #1 is pretty okay. I had no expectations going into it, but after reading it, my gut reaction is, "Yeah, this is okay. I kinda like this." That may not be a fist-pumping reaction of the utmost praise, but I'll take anything I can get out of DC Comics.
When last we saw the Doom Patrol in Lazarus Planet: Dark Fate #1, they fought through a mess of mind goo created by a metahuman that takes over people's thoughts through fungal spores generated from his body. Now, the updated Doom Patrol mission is clear - find, rescue, and offer refuge to metahumans whose abilities make them outcasts (aka freaks).
Check out our video review of Unstoppable Doom Patrol #1
The usual cast of characters has returned, including Elasti-Woman, Robotman, and Negative Man. Crazy Jane now occupies the former chief's spot as leader, and the team has a new addition in the form of Beast Girl - a purple-haired squirrel girl who can manipulate a being's flight-or-fight response.
It's a weird group, but 'weird' is on-brand for Doom Patrol, so there it is.
The team's latest mission (which turns into an excuse to add a new team member) involves tracking down a detected metahuman in the middle of Gotham City. Yes, the metahuman's powers are weirdly gross (he grows stronger and grotesque with anger). Yes, Batman and Robin show up to butt heads with the Doom Patrol invading Batman's turf. Yes, the metahuman (now called Degenerate) is found, talked down with a speech about "finding a family," and comes along with the Doom Patrol peacefully as the latest member of the team.
Along with the main plot, readers tease about Peacemaker setting his sights on dismantling the team and a third plot involving a potential team-up between Monsieur Mallah and the Brain and General Immortus.
Overall, Unstoppable Doom Patrol #1 is weird, gross, irreverent, and oddly entertaining. Dennis Culver's script has a breezy pace, the character voices are consistent with how we already know these characters, the dialog is on-point, and the scenes play out well.
Chris Burnham and Brian Reber also keep the look and style of the Doom Patrol on-brand, which is a high compliment. Burnham's use of little speckles and dots in the inks gives the characters a grounded and not-so-perfect appearance, which suits this team perfectly. The colors look great, and the action scenes are amusing.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Bits and Pieces:
Unstoppable Doom Patrol #1 brings the eclectic band of misfits back to the spotlight with a new mission, new team members, and the hint of new enemies waiting to pounce. The story is weird, gross, and crass, but that's exactly what you want from a Doom Patrol comic.
8.5/10
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