Mind's Eye Comics Pick!! -- Unstoppable Doom Patrol #1

Unstoppable Doom Patrol #1, DC Comics

Writer: Dennis Culver

Artist: Chris Burnham

In probably the most comprehensive first issue of any of the "Dawn of DC" titles, Unstoppable Doom Patrol reaches its claws into several corners of the DC universe. Following the events of Lazarus Planet, more people have an activated metagene, many becoming monsters incapable of functioning in society. Metagen, basically an evil corporation capitalizing on the situation, offers cash to these people, who instead become research subjects. "Subject 99" endured weeks of painful torture, as Metagen created genetic offshoots they hoped to sell as new biological weapons. Naturally, things go wrong, the test subject and its offshoots go amuck, and the Doom Patrol arrive in Gotham City to contain the situation, and advocate for Subject 99 and all the newly created meta-humans. Meanwhile, a subplot deals with Brain and Mallah hunting down General Immortus, ending in a surprising result.

One of the better comics I've had the pleasure of reading in a long time, Unstoppable Doom Patrol promises to be a fantastic series, touching on several other books and corners of the DC universe. Similar to the X-Men, the Doom Patrol works because its a team of society's rejects, of damaged people. They all deal with their own pain individually, but come together as a family and a team to help each other and, as this issue shows, the newly created meta-humans who have nowhere to turn. The new chief (and the whole team) wants to stop these people from being used by corporations like Metagen, but also from being used in other ways by the Justice League, the Suicide Squad or Arkham. In the closing pages, we see how this book expands itself to encompass the entire DCU, but also seems intimately character focused, dealing with personal issues. A truly remarkable balance. Run, don't walk, in and pick up your copy of this extraordinary comic today!