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DOOM PATROL #2
"The Wrong Way... To Do Right!
Recommended (8/10)
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DC Comics
Writer: John Arcudi
Artist: Tan Eng Huat
Colors: Dave Stewart
Letters: Bob Lappan
Editor: Andy Helfer
Price: $2.50 US/$4.25 CAN |
As with the new Suicide Squad, the second issue of Doom Patrol is much stronger than the first. Eng Huat's artwork is sharper and I begin to see why Helfer was so excited last issue, and now that Arcudi has made the introductions, he immediately takes us on a new and intriguing path without losing sight of the axiom that "every issue is someone's first." After issue one, I had written Doom Patrol
off as interesting but basically average super-heroics. Now I'm thinking that it
may be an example of the usual super-heroics but done with enough style to get
my attention.
I had previously thought that
Eng Huat was largely a follower of the manga style that has swept DC lately, but
this issue he shows a bit more European influence, specifically reminding me of
some of the best work of Travis Charest. The opening sequence with the Doom
Patrol squaring off with rebels is incredible, and the rescue sequence at the
embassy equally so. Eng Huat does phenomenal work on natural backgrounds, and
there's something to be said for his characters as well, whether it's an
outraged soldier, an amused Robotman or a complaining "Negative Man."
Meanwhile, Arcudi is
establishing the tone of the series as somewhat subversive with a tinge of
humor, examining the notion of corporate America alongside the notion of
super-heroes. The team doesn't fight super-villains in this issue, they're more
of an anti-terrorist and rescue force, which makes them ideally suited to the
current climate, and introducing the questionable motives of Jost Enterprises
echoes some of the questions many have about the current "War on Terrorism" as
well. Though it's likely not intentional at this point, Arcudi has crafted a
book that speaks directly to the sensibilities of the moment.
Of course, the book isn't
entirely dependent on its resonance with current events. Despite not knowing
very much about them, I'm already fond of these characters. The thoroughly
annoying Ted reminds me of the Giffen-era Guy Gardner, obnoxious but more honest
and straightforward than many heroes, and I'm enjoying the hints of hero worship
that I get from Shyleen in regards to Robotman. So far, however, the heart of
the series is Robotman, and Arcudi has been doing a great job with him since day
one. He's captured the idea of a blue collar super-hero, someone who doesn't
really get the trappings of the job but just wants to do what he can, although
he's also given him an intelligence and ability to see the big picture with Jost
Enterprises that makes him an ideal leader for the team.
Though I'm disappointed to
see the team leaving the corporate environment so soon, Jost's appearance on the
final page gives me hope that we're not done with this element of the book. It
was one of the more intriguing things about the story, and while I'm impressed
that Arcudi broke from expectations by having the team abandon ship so quickly,
I hope that he doesn't take us into more standard super-hero territory as a
result.
Email Randy Lander comments about this review. |
