Another review of #21

Hey guys - it's been a while. Not much Doom Patrol news floating around, with the final issue looming. Here's hoping they go out with a bang! Or not...........

Here's a great review from regular DP-reviewer, DangerMart:

Too Dangerous For A Girl!

Reviews of Doom Patrol #21

In the last week, I've read three excellent reviews of Doom Patrol #21, the Robotman spotlight. The reviewers clearly 'get' the issue, and understand how Robotman's drive is connected to the Doom Patrol in all it's incarnations. So please have a look at:

- Comic Book Resources (Doug Zawisza) - 4 out of 5 stars

- Comics Bulletin (Shawn Hill) - 4 out of 5 bullets

-  Weekly Comic Book Review (Minhquan Nguyen) - B+

And if you haven't signed the petition to bring back the Doom Patrol, you'll find it at:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savethedp/

(If it asks for a donation, that is purely optional, and to do with iPetitions - not this particular petition).

Third and final Doom Patrol TPB.......

From the July 2011 solicitations:

DOOM PATROL: FIRE AWAY TP
Written by KEITH GIFFEN and BRIAN KEENE
Art by MATTHEW CLARK, RON RANDALL, KEITH GIFFEN and AL MILGROM
Cover by MATTHEW CLARK
In this latest DOOM PATROL volume collecting issues #14-21, the team’s leader, Niles Caulder, experiments on a captured Kryptonian in hopes of gaining superpowers of his own. And the first battle he faces – is against his own team!
On sale AUGUST 24
232 pg, FC, $19.99 US

** With that page count (232 pages), I'm assuming this will also collect #22, the final issue, and possibly the Secret Six crossover issue, as well**

DC COMICS PRESENTS: METAL MEN #1
Written by KEITH GIFFEN, J.M. DEMATTEIS and BOB HANEY
Art by KEVIN MAGUIRE, TIM LEVINS and others
Cover by KEVIN MAGUIRE
Collected from DOOM PATROL #1-7, don’t miss the Metal Men’s adventures against The Clique, living mannequins, an ancient god, at the Department of Motor Vehicles and more. Plus, from SILVER AGE: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #1, the team meets Batman, Green Arrow
and Black Canary!
On sale JULY 20
96 pg, FC, $7.99 US

Doom Patrol #21 review

And then there was one.

One issue of Doom Patrol to go, that is. In what has turned out to be one of my favourite comic runs ever (alongside Morrison's X-Men, Preacher, Sandman, Y:The Last Man), I can't help but feel a bit deflated reading this issue, knowing that it's nearly the end. I love the spotlight issues, and the first two were definitely five-star issues, in my opinion.

This issue didn't feel quite as encompassing as Larry's, or as defining as Rita's spotlight. But it did give a sense of sympathy for Cliff, and demonstrated his sense of belonging. Each main era of the Doom Patrol is once again outlined, thanks to the stylish pencils of Matthew Clark (and Ron Randall), and Giffen adds touches to Cliff's origin that show us what *really* happened behind the scenes. 

Cliff's visits to Super-Hip over the years also provide a broader scope to Cliff's life. He clearly was out there, tormenting over whether 'one more run' with the Doom Patrol would be worth it. And it's great to see that, in the absence of Larry and Rita, he had someone he could trust. The antithesis of that, is represented by General Immortus' current involvement. Clearly, he is not to be trusted, but it's hard to argue with an ancient guy who is willing to help out, if only to serve his admitted needs. 

I know I'll be re-reading this issue many times, as with all of the spotlights, in particular. I can only hope that the final issue will deliver a satisfying ending to a wonderful comic series.

4.5/5 

Doom Patrol #21 preview

Check out the first few pages of the Robotman spotlight, courtesy of Newsarama!

Dan Didio says..........

From the C2E2 convention:

"Some of the things we've done, is we've actually cancelled a bunch of books that were on the cusp and weren't working as well for us because we wanted to basically have people focus on what we feel matters most right now , the changes that take place in the Flashpoint universe."

Well......that's disappointing. So Doom Patrol was 'on the cusp', and perhaps not yet in cancellation territory. This is supported by the recent increase in sales due to the Secret Six crossover. However, in order for us, the fans, to focus on Didio's new 'project', he's going to take Doom Patrol (and other series) away, so that our favourite comic doesn't interfere in our spending on Flashpoint. What about what matters to the fans?

I'm not sure if Didio is aware of how that came across, but if anything, it's put me OFF Flashpoint. A year ago, I was buying about 7 DC Comics monthly. Once Flashpoint hits, the only DC Comics I'll be still buying are Green Lantern and Thunder Agents (which has had lower sales than Doom Patrol).

But there is a positive from C2E2 - Matthew Clark has moved to Marvel onto a new Ghost Rider series! GR is my favourite Marvel character by far, and I was very disappointed when the last ongoing, by Jason Aaron, was cancelled. Nevertheless, Rob Williams and Matthew Clark are bringing back hell on wheels - Congratulations, Matthew!! Looking forward to see some full issues of EmCee artwork! See Newsarama for the interview.

More on Doom Patrol #20.........

Fellow Doom Patrol blogger, Doug Zawisza, has given Doom Patrol #20, 4 out of 5 stars in his latest review at Comic Book Resources!

If you've come across any other reviews of Doom Patrol #20, or would like to add your own, just let me know!

Doom Patrol #20 review

Things are moving too quickly.

We only have TWO more issues of Doom Patrol left to enjoy. And it's truly a shame that DC are cancelling one of their most consistent, intelligent and humorous comics.

The latest issue sees the individual members of the Doom Patrol reaching out to other super-heroes for support and somewhere to live. The reception is less than warm, as recent incidents on Oolong Island have seen the Doom Patrol regarded as 'dangerous goods' in the eyes of the superhuman community.

But an old......acquaintance.....reaches out to them. And I don't mean Super-Hip (from Doom Patrol Vol.1 #104!). I'll let you read the issue, but it follows on from something Giffen hinted online nearly a year ago. And it's going to lead to some very entertaining conclusions in #22 (after the Robotman spotlight in #21).

Giffen masterfully takes the characters from scene to scene, without feeling forced, and clearly demonstrates their unfortunate standing in the community. Clark and Randall on art work fluidly together, although in a few panels, it's hard to tell who is speaking (Rita/Gar) or being hit by the Porcelain Doll. Minor issues, given the overall quality of another fantastic issue of Doom Patrol.

Next issue is "Cliffhanger". In more ways than one. I can't wait. - 4.5/5

Doom Patrol #20 preview!

Check out a 5-page preview of DOOM PATROL #20, courtesy of Comic Book Resources!

Remembering Robotman.......

Well, as he used to be, courtesy of Matthew Clark: