DCU Comic Book Reviews

DOOM PATROL #5

Back In Black

February 2010

Written by Keith Giffen

Pencils by Justiniano

Inks by Livesay

Cover by Justiniano

Synopsis

On Oolong Island, Larry Trainor (aka Negative Man) and Clifford Steele (aka Robotman) are fighting against Black Lanterns Valentina Vostok (aka Negative Woman) and Clifford Steele (aka Robotman).  Elsewhere, Niles Caulder is confronted by Black Lantern Arani Desai (aka Celsius) and Rita Farr (aka Elasti-Woman) is confronted by Black Lantern Joshua Clay (aka Tempest).  The various team members are able to break free, but not defeat the Black Lanterns.  The team gathers together and then head for a portal.  They lure the Black Lanterns to the portal and then send them elsewhere, protecting the island. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

For an issue that was essentially wall-to-wall fighting and action, I was actually quite bored with it.  I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that there was no vested interest in the conflict.  For me, at least, there was nothing at stake; Doom Patrol were not fighting to protect or save something, other than themselves and this early in the book, I am not that attached to the characters yet.  I didn’t really care about the outcome or even the fight itself, which might’ve been filled with drama, but we know the formula for these Black Lantern tie-ins, so we know before this issue even started how it was going to end.  Moreover, the key point of the Black Lantern tie-ins, the way the dead create an emotional response via their memories, didn’t work for me since I know very little about Doom Patrol or its past.  When a character I don’t know talks about things I have never read, I can really relate to it.  To me, Arani came across as shrill and crass.  Maybe if I knew her character it might’ve had an impact, but it didn’t.  So, frankly, I didn’t really care about her or anything else in this issue. 

Department Store Doom

Written by Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis

Art by Tim Levins and Dan Davis

Synopsis

While in the midst of trying to pay for a Robot Hunter special DVD, Mercury is interrupting by a phone cal from Dr. Magnus, who is being attacked by Killer Mannequins.  He needs help.  Magnus also calls his house, where Tina eagerly answers and is willing to help, but forgets to ask where he is.  Later, the team eventually finds him at the mall, where he is being forced to help the Killer Mannequins shop for new clothes.  This enrages Tina, who attacks.  The Killer Mannequins respond by literally bringing out the big guns.

Review

Again, I loved the credits page.  It wasn’t as funny as previous ones, but I liked in this issue for the explanation provided on why there is a new artist in this installment.  It is refreshing to see such candor (and I hope Kevin Maguire is doing better).  And, of course, I loved the comment about Dan DiDio’s lack of humor. 

As for the rest of this installment, I found it funny.  It is easily the best thing about this title.  There were some great jokes, including the in-joke about the writers.  I also liked the repeating jokes, from Tina’s actions when it comes to Magnus, to no one getting Crapper, er, Copper’s name correctly, to Gold’s ego, to Iron’s pop culture references, and to Mercury’s obsession with the Robot Hunter.  The jokes are not one-liners, but are funny moments that are born out of the characters and the situations they are placed in.  This is great stuff. 

 

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