Reviewer: John Babos
Story Title: What is Drama?
Written by: John Arcudi
Pencilled by: Rick Geary
Inked by: Rick Geary
Colored by: Dave McCaig
Lettered by: Bob Lappan
Editor: Andy Helfer
Publisher: DC Comics
Doom Patrol #20 gives readers a behind the scenes look at how the Doom Patrol (tm) TV show — mentioned in passing since close to this series’ inception — is produced.
This issue is the third-last issue in the current Doom Patrol (DP) series, so writer John Arcudi seems to be tying up dangling plot threads. This issue is a respite from the “main” Nao Yut vs. DP plot — where immortal villain Nao Yut continues his quest to find mortal hosts for the “Seven Spirits”.
Issue 20 is a great standalone issue, unlike much of the Doom Patrol’s current run. It’s unfortunate that a great jump-on opportunity for new readers comes at the end of this series’ run. DC should have promoted this book more. To my mind, DP is a creative success, but a marketing failure.
While I miss regular artist Tan Eng Haut’s quirky art style, guest artist Rick Geary’s work is a great fit for this issue’s TV world / Hollywood exposé. While the editorial team did mistakenly give cover credit to Tan Eng Haut for the book’s interior art, I think that this series’ sophisticated fans should appreciate Geary’s funky art style. His style is more “cartoony” then other artists on the comic stands today, but it works well with the “fun-weird-quirkiness” theme that I’ve felt run through this series since issue #1.
Talking of themes, JSA writer Geoff Johns’ has always been quick to point out that the theme of his JSA run has been “legacy”. This is also a theme that could be attributed to John Arcudi’s DP run. Issue #20 is a great example of this as it is essentially a silver age DP tale with no sign of this series’ current DP team. The series and this particularly plot thread and story have been done so well, that while this book’s following may eagerly await the next chapter of the Nao Yut saga, readers appreciate a story that is essentially about “old” characters that they have seen presented and referred to with reverence and respect by Arcudi throughout his DP run. Reader’s know about and are interested in Robotman, Negative Man and Elastigirl.
Although it is entertaining, this issue’s tale is not a new story concept — it shows TV executives and their creative team trying to hammer out the most “entertaining” way to tell a classic silver-age DP tale. Readers experience a few different interpretations of a battle between the DP and their silver-age nemesis, the Animal-Vegetable-Mineral Man. Issue #20 ends with a flashback of what “really happened”. It turns out to be a defining moment in the existence of the silver-age DP and why they did what they did for a world that would always see them as bizarre and different — a theme that Marvel Comics emulated and made more profitable through its X-Men franchise. Yes, that’s right folks — DP was the inspiration for the X-Men! Let the controversy begin…. unleash the hounds!
As I’ve said before, I’m sad to see the DP go. I hope everyone savors this series’ last few issues.
