North Korea Chainsaw Massacre

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #18
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark

 

There is something very “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” about the Aristocrats aka the Boswicks in that they are like a rich immortal british version of the twisted family from that film series and they also have a house of horrors to go along with it. Luckily, the Doom Patrol manages to escape that house and get the hell out of Dodge er well North Korea. It was a good issue, not as great as last but still I am loving this book more and more with each issue.

Introducing The Aristocrats

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #17
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark and Ron Randall

 

Giffen has created some of the creepiest yet fascinating villains in this issue called the Aristocrats. Immortal Aristocrats who murder people – not sure if that is what keeps them alive or not or why they have captured Veronic Cale but they are some awesome villains for the Doom Patrol and this was one of if not the best issue of this series yet. Cale being the new Chief is also a great idea and definitely creates an exciting new dynamic for the Doom Patrol. I also like that Giffen is finally utilizing Bumblebee more.

Chief Robotman

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #16
Written by Brian Keene and Keith Giffen
Art by Giffen

 

Former Doom Patrol member Fast Forward shows up and accidentally brings evil alternate version of the team into this reality causing all kinds of craziness meanwhile Robotman wonders if he is the same as Niles Caulder was now that he is leader of the team. It was a decent issue. This is actually my first exposure to Giffen’s art I think and it wasn’t bad. I still like how Giffen is pulling from the while spectrum of Doom Patrol history.

Pelican On Panel

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #15
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark

 

The Doom Patrol defeats the Kryptonian powered Chief. I am not sure what exactly happened in the final pages? Did the science squad just send Caulder’s body adrift in space? What is going on with Negative Man? And we finally see the Pelican he is always talking about? Crazy stuff but this is the Doom Patrol so what do you expect.

Doom Patrol 10 – 12

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #10
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark and Ron Randall

Jost is planning something against the Doom Patrol and has added Animal-Vegetable-Mineral Man and this crazy Porcelain Doll woman to his roster of villains. Crazy Jane is back for good I guess and that is a good thing! I definitely like the character.

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #11
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark and Ron Randall

 

Um…what the hell happend at the end of this issue! Jost just took “Toy’s” head and crushed it with his bear hands and something came out of his back!!! What! This is crazy and I love it. Adding Ambush Bug to the cast of this was also brilliant as he is as hilarious as always. This book is getting pretty good all of a sudden.

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #12
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark and Ron Randall

So Jost was being controlled by a guy from the Brotherhood of Dada I guess? It isn’t really explained very well. A lot of the confusion in this comic seems to come from Clark’s art, I really think things would make more sense if he actually drew faces to fit the expression of what the characters are saying. That being said Giffen is writing a pretty nice little epic here – weaving in the Doom Patrol’s history with new concepts and creations and I am enjoying it finally.

What Will Happen Next?

Detective Comics #863
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Jock and Scott Kolins
Co-Feature by Rucka
Art by Cully Hamner

 

The main story has Batwoman defeat the Cutter and it is perfectly juxtaposed against the flashback with Batman. The art team did a great job of making sure that it was no confusing with the red versus blue colors. In the end, Bette reveals her Flamebird costume to Kate. I wonder what will come of this? I can’t wait to see but we may have to wait a bit considering Batwoman is taking a break from the title and Rucka is leaving DC. Darn. The Question back-up was good as Huntress and Renee find themselves facing Veronica Cale who leads them to Vandal Savage.

Doom Patrol 7 and 8

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #7
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark
Co-Feature by Giffen and J.M. Dematteis
Art by Joe Mcguire

 

The main story was all set up and I am not really sure if I completely got what was going on. Is someone assembling a team to fight the Doom Patrol? It was cool to see Crazy Jane back, I hope she stays with the team, This issue featured the last time the Metal Men will co-feature and while it was funny, I can’t say that I will exactly miss it.

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #8
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clarke and Ron Randall

Clarke’s art is still not to my taste and this issue seemed a little…well…wordy. But I liked the idea of Danny the Street coming back. I love that Giffen’s not afraid to play with Morrison Doom Patrollers.

The History of Negative Man

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #6
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark
Co-Feature by Giffen and J.M. Demateis
Art by Kevin MaGuire

 

This issue was basically a crash-course in the history of Negative Man through his own words. I wonder if it was done in a narrator style if it would have been easier to follow. I think so. Giffen definitely made the wrong choice there but what can I say, maybe it’s the artist. I enjoyed it none-the-less. I love continuity as you all know! The Metal Men back-up was amusing as always and still loving all the Chicagoland references.

Attack of the Hole

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #2
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark
Co-Feature by Giffen and J.M. Dematteis
Art by Kevin Maguire

Giffen’s writing is really good. I love the idea of a sentient black hole only interested in writing an encyclopedia. But this issue is really hurt by Clark’s art. He makes everything confusing in the way he draws. I do not like it at all. DC needs to either fire him or he needs to change his style because he is making a good book unreadable. That may sound harsh but it is true. Anyways, it looks like Vox and Bumblebee are now divorced which is sad but I look forward to looking more into Bumblebee’s psyche. The Metal Men back-up was entertaining and funny and I love how the Metal Men’s new headquaters are in Glenview, near where I grew up! And I am still loving how nobody remembers who Copper is – not even Will Magnus.