Legion World Forums LEGION COMPANION Dr. Gym'll's Cultural Rarities Doom Patrol

Like the Chief, only alot skinnier... almost gangly.

And with glasses.

Whoa!

I've been disillusioned.

Egads, issue #13 has me obsessing about Silly Putty. More accurately, I've had a long running obsession with Silly Putty and this issue has me thinking more about it. I always played with the stuff as a kid. I did lots of creative things with it. I continue to buy a couple of the plastic eggs each year, even as a 40 something. I keep it at home, at work, and in my brief case. It's kind of a tactile, therapeutic stress reliever for me.

So any way - Giffen uses some real dates in Rita's journal entries. She puts the date of Gar's adoption as 2006. That was before her death, and re-growth, right? But then she talks about pressing her hand down on a newspaper to see if it picks up print. It couldn't have after 2006. I loved to press Silly Putty down on the comics pages, headlines, and pictures in the newspaper as a kid. Then stretch the heck out of it to get the distortion. That quit working a long time ago, though. The Silly Putty didn't change. The newsprint did. It's no longer petroleum based and hasn't been for years. How old was Rita when she experienced doing this for real? Was it frustrating for her to find that it didn't work? Did Giffen just mess up? Maybe he hasn't tried it in years, and thinks it still works.

This issue has me obsessing over Silly Putty...

Just put it down. It was a great issue.

Karen finally reappears and even has a lengthyish dialogue with Rita.... AND makes a phonecall to Mal, which I suppose confirms his exit from the DP between the Teen Titans comeback and Giffen's DP # 1.

LOVED Robotman's attitude re: Rita. Of course he adores her.

The whole Steve Dayton thing almost had me feeling sorry for the guy... but my patience for mind-tappers has been wearing thin lately...

Definitley one of the best single issues I've read this year.

Of course, I loved Bumblebee's reappearance and the mention of Mal. Cliff and Larry are pure gold whenever they share a scene. I'm even not minding The Chief, at the moment.

I wonder if the DP will be building a castle on the island? Using all the weird stuff they had delivered from the first castle-- at least whatever survived the last few issues. I hope so, as I really liked what glimpses we saw of it back in TEEN TITANS.

Rita's new 'look' is gonna take awhile to get used to. She's now the freakiest of the Patrol, instead of the least freaky. Since she's been portrayed as psychologically wonky, too... she's Top Freak, now.

Now for the important question-- Hive or Afro-puffs?

It was announced that Doom Patrol #16 was going to involve alternate versions of the DP members. Steampunk Cliff, Nazi Larry, Feral Cannibal Rita, among others not mentioned. It'll be like "Whatever Happened To Ted Bruder?", featuring Fast Forward from Arcudi's DP, and how his peaks into the future have him bringing someone from alternate realities back with him.

Hmm, I notice something of a small trend.

The first arc dealt with the original four DP members back together.

The Blackest Night issues focused on Celsius' DP back from the dead.

After the Larry spotlight issue, we saw the return Crazy Jane, Danny, Mister Nobody.

I don't know what will happen with the issues involving the Chief gaining Kryptonian powers, but with #16 starting to focus on Ted Bruder, it's as if Giffen is doing stories based on the chronological appearance of each DP.

Yes, Giffen is frequently criticized as being too cavalier and reckless. I've never agreed with that criticism. This approach is another example of how he manages to honor the work of the creators who came before him.

I wonder if we'll see any of those Doom Force freaks from that special Morrison did?

Wow. I loved issue #14. Best of the series so far, perhaps. Nice artwork, fun with Ambush Bug, great characterization and dialogue with some real action and suspense.

Best exchange:

Cliff: "You are aware that he couldn't find his butt with a flashlight and butt map?"

Larry: "There are butt maps?"

This is why I love Giffen.

14: Things just got SCARY!!!!

Yes, I am LOVING Giff's touching on ALL aspects of previous DP runs.

If he finds a way to bring back Coagula, the delighted squealing you will hear is coming from me.

I am absolutely loving the relationship between Rita, Cliff and Larry--perhaps the truest "family" in comics since the 1980's. Giffen has captured that sensibility so well and it's really come through these last few issues. For that matter, the Chief and his intensely crazy "bad father" role has only made it more so.

I'm lovin' the "extended family" of Bumblebee, Father Rocky, Ambush Bug, Crazy Jane and others hanging around Oolang Island too. Knowing they are there just heightens the enjoyment level of this comic so much.

But anchoring down every issue is how well the main three DPers interact with one another. I love that they have been through the ringer moreso than almost any other superhero team, and yet are able to keep their heads up because they've got one another.

PS - Negative Man as written by Giffen is close to exceeding Blue & Gold in terms of funny. He has the best lines month in and month out of anyone in comics.

So the Chief is out of the picture now?

This could have easily been a nonsensical 8-issue monolith of a story, I'm kinda glad/sad Giffen kept it at 2 issues. Nice usage of the Bug.

I understand we have to be looking forward to "Mountie Ambush Bug" soon.

Another done in one. Good to see both Giffen's art and Flash-Forward again.

But are they collecting former members down there or what? Kinda creepy.

Yet another character from the DP's lush history resurfaces in Flash-Forward (the awesomely nick-named Negative Man II), showing Giffen is really using this series to tie the DP's enormous history together. I love it! I love seeing Ted again, and hope we get to see more of him (as well as Jane, Danny and others who have been in the background). I think he'd be hilarious with the *real* Negative Man and the Bug.

Cliff's doubts on his leadership and fearing he's like the Chief are a very normal thing for someone feeling they are like a mentor/father they dislike and it's a solid subplot. Cliff has such a strong personality that there is the 'appearance' of him being a bit one note but that's simply not true and Giffen has given him solid characterization throughout this series to back that up.

Most of all, it was awesome seeing Giffen's artwork. His newest style, which is a cool combo of all his previous ones while a clear nod to his Kirby-esque roots while taking a more cartoonish style, is really a pleasure to look at. Great to see the legendary Al Milgrom on inks.

I think Ambush Bug & Danny the Brick make a great team!!

This is probably my favourite comic right now. The relationship between Larry, Cliff and Rita is solid and heartwarming. They really have become more freaky, from an outsider's viewpoint, than they ever were - but their characters have developed and matured. If anyone should be all dark and angsty, it's these guys - but they're not. They play the cards they've been dealt and get on with the game.

All this and plenty of weirdness, along with comedy. Giffen has really built an incredible story on a very deep foundation.

I agree that this is the best stuff from Giffen in years.

If you are buying and like it, and don't post over on the DP board at DCMB, please do. The book needs a positive shot in the arm from fans on the board.

I am buying it and LOVE it and will do that, Rick. Right now in fact!

Well, I just started the most kiss-ass thread EVER on the DC DP board.

And I would do it AGAIN!!!

I'm gonna pick it up next time i'm at the store. read the preview .... Danny the brick is probably Ambush Bug's only friend ... just don't make him mad. he'll go flying through your windshield.

*Bad american attempt at an Irish accent*

"Annnnd a foin' ass kissin 'twas, me lad, a foin one."

Brick, bug, just watch out for overpasses.