Doom Patrol #16 review

Horror writer Brian Keene visits Oolong Island, and brings a long-lost member of the Doom Patrol with him. Step forward Ted Bruder, formerly Fast Forward but usually referred to as Negative Man II for his less than sparkling personality. Once he could see 60 seconds in the future, but lately he’s been falling between realities, […]

Doom Patrol #14 review

After years of tragedies, setbacks and general lunacy, you might expect the individuals who comprise the Doom Patrol to slope off into a corner to spend the rest of their lives muttering and dribbling. But no, they’re heroes and this issue the Fabulous Freaks decide, the heck with it, they have each other. Even diminutive […]

Doom Patrol #13 review

One of writer Keith Giffen’s aims with this book has been to give the readers something new every month – a character, a concept, a fresh take on the DC Universe … last issue he outdid himself with the revelation of Elasti-Woman’s true nature. She’s sentient Silly Putty. I never saw that one coming. This month […]

Doom Patrol #7 review

This is one of those comic books in which the stars of the show hardly appear, but you’re having such a good time it’s barely noticeable. So Robotman, Elasti-Woman and Negative Man are off panel until the final page of the story, recovering from the events of Blackest Night and awaiting transport home. This leaves […]

Doom Patrol #6 review

After two issues of Blackest Night, in which a dark figure wears the flesh of the dead, here’s an issue about a dark figure who wears the flesh of the dead . . . Negative Man. But that’s where the similarities between the founding Doom Patrol member and zombies-come-lately the Black Lanterns end. For Larry […]

Doom Patrol #1 review

They’re back, the world’s strangest heroes – Robotman, Negative Man, Elasti-Woman (she’s grown up!) and the world’s dodgiest leader, the Chief. As we join them, he’s sent the Patrol on a mission to stop evil scientist Amanda Beckett from hatching a batch of monster men. Alongside the classic Silver Age team are newer recruits Grunt […]

Jesus, Keith, it’s Superman 684!

I’m not reviewing Superman 684 – it was great, but most issues written by James Robinson are great; a post-New Krypton story it featured a teasing focus on the Parasite (I think he’s pining for his time as Lex Luthor’s loving Lois), a rallying call from the Guardian and the eschewing of grammatical contractions by […]

Reign in Hell 1 review

Having given a lot of attention to its space heroes over the last few years, DC gives its supernatural sector a shot at greatness. The guiding light in hell is writer Keith Giffen, who helped make Marvel’s cosmic crew popular again with the Annihilation series. He’s joined by penciller Tom Derenick and, in what I […]

Ambush Bug Year None 1

DC’s greatest character is back after nearly 20 years. Yes, ‘Mazing Man is in this comic. OK, it’s not a very flattering portrayal of the little guy, but it’s good to see him. It’s also good to see Ambush Bug back, breaking comics’ fourth wall and pointing out the industry’s cliches, silliness and general foibles. […]