Secret Six #30 and a Doomed preview.......

About Secret Six #30: I quite enjoyed this issue. I've been looking forward to it for a long time, and have started reading Secret Six TPBs to gain a better grasp of the characters. I felt Gail Simone was quite true to everything that I'd previously read, and had quite a good handle on the Doom Patrol.

As a Doom Patrol fan, first and foremost, I was hoping for more of them, though I do understand that this IS the Secret Six's comic, and they're entitled to their own plot development. The next half of the crossover should shine more light on our freaky heroes.

Art-wise, Caliafore reminded me of Matthew Clark's detailed work, and Gail Simone seemingly channelled Giffen with some of her jokes. She certainly seemed to enjoy writing Ambush Bug, but his appearance does make me wonder: is he an actual member now, or still a hangabout?

Definitely looking forward to the next half of the crossover. Previews mentioned that a member of the Six will leave........... will they be joining the Doom Patrol?

And on a side-note, here's a sketch from an upcoming issue of Doom Patrol, by artist Matthew Clark! Remember these guys?!

Secret Six crossover!

Hi everyone - all is well and safe on this side of the world. We've survived two cyclones in a week (and massive flooding several weeks earlier, down south), but we're hopefully on the mend.


I hope you all enjoyed the Secret Six crossover issue, from this week. I haven't had a chance to buy it yet, as most of the shops are still closed here (including the comic shop). Dangermart, as always, has an excellent review, claiming it's a must-buy crossover issue, with some excellent art, and great writing from Gail Simone.


You'll find another positive review at IGN, giving the issue 8 out of 10!

Cyclone warning

We are currently bracing for Cyclone Yasi to hit the coast of North Queensland. I'll be in touch someday soon, hopefully. Best wishes,

Petar

Matthew Clark tidbits......

Matthew Clark has posted a pic of a scientist making an upcoming appearance in Doom Patrol:

And he also had the following to say about his fantastic Robotman spotlight issue (#21):

"OK if you look closely the one colored Black is the 70's version, and if you look just below Cliffs tattooed arm you can see the shoulder from the Arcudi run, the Robotman Black version is colored wrong as it was wearing the Jacket

So we have original, 70's, Lightle, Case (both) Arcudi, Byrne, John's, and mine breaking out of the human shell."

Reviews of #18 & more........

Following on from last week's reviews of #18, here are two more courtesy of Comics Bulletin (3.5/5) and Weekly Comic Book Review (B+)!

I recently came across some comments from Matthew Clark regarding his designs of Negative Man and Crazy Jane - here's what Matthew had to say about Larry's outfit:

"My first thoughts were of a sci-fi looking pilot. Which I believe make it into the first trade. I knew that his new look needed to say pilot, test pilot, or airman. I kept thinking as I was watching documentaries on WW1 and WW2 the overall look really worked for me specifically WW1 they were less uniforms and more rebels. So that's the reason for the look plus I wanted him to to at least from a quick look people to pilot. I though about a current jet pilot look but Hall/GL really has that look and didn't want to step on toes."

 And Jane's:

"My take on Jane's re-emergence in DP is this (and this is just my thoughts) She was in paradise in Danny the World. When we reintroduce she was now homeless, and me being a silent film fan and keeping with the turn of the century designs. I went with a vagabond or tramp look like she just step out of the silent film. She's homeless and doesn't quite fit in to this world.

Again these are just my impressions as to why I've designed Jane as she appears in our book ."

Doom Patrol #21 preview

DOOM PATROL #21

Written by KEITH GIFFEN
Art by MATTHEW CLARK
Cover by MATTHEW CLARK


In this spotlight issue, witness the past, present, and future of the Doom Patrol through the eyes of the only constant member of the team. Through all its reincarnations, through all his remodelings – you can’t have a Doom Patrol without Cliff “Robotman” Steele!


On sale APRIL 6

Doom Patrol #21??

The preview and cover will be coming later today....... keep an eye out for it here at DOOMPEDIA.........

(Fingers crossed that it's a Robotman spotlight!)

Secret Six crossover update!

Media Release -- The rematch between Doom Patrol and Secret Six has changed order, with part 1 of this 2-part epic now slated to run in SECRET SIX #30 and part 2 now set to appear in DOOM PATROL #19.

In SECRET SIX #30, written by Gail Simone with art by J. Calafiore and a cover by Cliff Chiang, the team go pedal-to-the-metal against the only team as messed up as the Six themselves - the Doom Patrol! Plus: a Sixer leaves the team forever!

In DOOM PATROL #19, the battle reaches its finale in a story written by Keith Giffen, with art by Matthew Clark and Ron Randall and a cover by Matthew Clark!

SECRET SIX #30 is scheduled to arrive in stores on February 2.

DOOM PATROL #19 is scheduled to arrive in stores on February 16.

Doomed updates!

Well, I'm back from my holiday - had an absolute ball - and I now own a complete collection of Grant Morrison Doom Patrol TPBs! Yes, I've already read the original issues several years ago, but I've kept them stored away as a future investment ever since. I've now read the first two Morrison TPBs in about 3 days, and I'm very much looking forward to revisiting the rest of those bizarre, but wonderful memories. 

Morrison's overall story is such a perfect complement to Keith Giffen's run. You can tell that the current Doom Patrollers are the same characters who fought the Scissormen, Red Jack and the Brotherhood of Dada, give or take a member or two. Both series are so enjoyable to read.

Speaking of Keith Giffen's run, the second TPB, "Brotherhood", is out, and can be purchased from your local comic store, or from Amazon. It contains #7-#13 of the Giffen/Clark run, and is well worth picking up for it's comparitively cheap price.

Also, I've finally had a chance to read #18, and found it very engaging, very humorous, and certainly impactful in relation to the future of the Doom Patrol. I've already included two excellent reviews from Doom Patrol fans Mart, and Steven Leitman below, so here's another positive review from Comic Book Resources, by Doug Zawisza, who runs the My Greatest Adventure blog!

That's it for now - more tomorrow! And don't forget to vote in the #18 poll!

Another reader review of Doom Patrol #18!

Many thanks to Steven Leitman for a detailed review of Doom Patrol #18:
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Even though they have traded President Cale for Niles Caulder with only a couple issues of this transition under way it’s already a better book. Something about the way the Chief was handled bothered me but I still can’t place my finger on it. I will also say that if Cale is going to be this active with the team she’ll quickly outlive her likeability as well.

The Aristocrats, no not the Disney movie it’s more along the lines of the infamous joke which dates back to Vaudeville days. If you’ve never heard of the joke then google it for I am not about to go into it here just suffice it to say that this translates it to the comic medium perfectly. It also gives us some new players on the block that well could be quite fun for some time to come.

It seems that this family is weird, twisted and fun, not to mention funny. The conversation they are having while cliff is standing there ready to pounce was genius. Who would have thought the Duchess was the one who so enjoyed hand to hand combat. When you’re immortal you have plenty of time to learn all you need to I suppose. Turns out she’s a darn good fighter as well this was fun to see.

Sigh Larry acts like this silly incompetent when in reality he’s really not. Hopefully we’ll get to see more of his personality spotlighted and learn why he acts the way he does. I have to admit I am intrigued to see more. He is able to use the houses security system to locate President Cale and just in the nick of time too. It’s always in the nick of time isn’t it. Anyway he also lets loose the Dukes experiments as he races to get to President Cale.

Karen and Rita are with the boy and he’s a momma’s boy to boot. Rita is a tad violent in this issue when dealing the boy. We don’t really see as much of Karen as I was hoping for. She needs to be a full member of this team not just a fringe one. She’s smart, capable and would make a good addition to the team and yes restore her to full size eventually.

So Cale and the Duke (heh yeah not John Wayne) are in her cell when his experiments interrupt and well start attacking. Now these things aren’t quite dead yet apparently so I wouldn’t say they were zombies but they are close. They seem to be attacking both of them even though Cale is in cuffs.

So Larry saves Cale then two run into the gang and Rita grows to giant size and they escape all the while Cale is bitching. They just saved her ungrateful ass she needs to learn a little respect for others.

So what we learned from all this is that Cale has made some powerful enemies and is going to need the DP to keep her alive. The Aristrocrats are going to be a delightful addition to the DCU. And next issue will guest star the Secret Six.

Keith is doing one hell of a job with the writing on this series. Matthew Clark with Ron Randall do superb pencil work, I couldn’t tell which one did which pages so bravo gentlemen. With John Livesay inking and Guy Major doing colours this book remains one of the most enjoyable each and every month.

Even though i want more Karen i still give this a 5/5 rating.
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Thanks again, Steven. And don't forget to check out Mart's review from the other day, as well as his blog: "Too Dangerous For A Girl!"