DC COMICS/Young Animal – @DCComics
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: Gerard Way
ART: Nick Derington
COLORS: Tamra Bonvillain
LETTERS: Todd Klein
COVER: Nick Derington
VARIANT COVERS: Brian Bolland; Sanford Greene; Jaime Hernandez; Babs Tarr; Brian Chippendale
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (NOVEMBER 2016)
Mature Readers
Doom Patrol created by Arnold Drake
“Happy Birthday, Casey Brinke” Part One: “Brick by Brick”
The Doom Patrol is a DC Comics superhero team. The original version of the Doom Patrol first appeared in the comic book, My Greatest Adventure #80 (cover dated: June 1963). DC Comics apparently officially credits writer Arnold Drake as the creator of the Doom Patrol, but writer Bob Haney, artist Bruno Premiani, and editor Murray Boltinoff also contributed to the creation of the original concept and team.
The first Doom Patrol consisted of super-powered misfits who had abilities (or “gifts”) that caused them alienation and trauma. However, there have been many incarnations of the Doom Patrol since the first group that more or less work along the same lines or share the spirit of the original The most famous iteration of the Doom Patrol since the original would probably be the one created and written by Grant Morrison that first appeared in Doom Patrol (Vol. 2) #19 (cover dated: February 1989).
There is a new version of the Doom Patrol. It is part of the new DC Comics imprint, “Young Animal,” which is “curated” and overseen by Gerard Way. Way is the creator of the comic book series, The Umbrella Academy (Dark Horse Comics), and is also a lead vocalist and co-founder of the rock band, My Chemical Romance. The new Doom Patrol is written by Way, drawn by Nick Derington, colored by Tamra Bonvillain, and lettered by Todd Klein.
Doom Patrol #1 (“Brick by Brick”) introduces Casey Brinke. Maybe, she's a “space case,” but, for sure, she is a hot-shot ambulance driver. However, goings-on in other dimensions will make her weird even weirder, including meeting a new roommate.
This first issue of Young Animal's Doom Patrol is certainly intriguing, but there is nothing here that will make me, dear reader, convince you to buy the first issue. This is not a bad story, but Gerard Way spends so much time teasing that he only has enough space to do one other thing, make Casey Brinke likable. That is something. I am a longtime fan of the Doom Patrol, so I was going to try this comic book for at least a few issues. Casey Brinke makes me think a few issues are a decent investment.
I do really like the art by Nick Derington. His simple, clean style recalls small press and indie comics released by publishers like Drawn & Quarterly, Oni Press, SLP, etc. The popularity of artists like Bruce Timm and the late Darwyn Cooke, whose slick styles recall comic books from an earlier era, made it possible for the rise of artists like Babs Tarr and Chris Samnee in superhero comic books. In fact, Derington reminds me of Chris Samnee.
The fact that this is Doom Patrol and that I like the style and design of Nick Derington's graphical storytelling and art means I will be back for more. Perhaps, I can highly recommend the Young Animal Doom Patrol to you at a later date.
[This comic book contains a “special sneak preview” of Shade the Change Girl #1 by Cecil Castellucci, Marley Zarcone, Kelly Fitzpatrick, and Saida Temofonte.]
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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