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standardman's review
5.0
When Gerard Way made Umbrella Academy it was like coming across a modern Doom Patrol. Someone at DC was paying attention and the result is a worthy successor to the Morrison/Case run.
There's a delight in this, a joy in the odd and it keeps you unbalanced but moving with it. I wonder who will make the successor to the Way/Derington run a few decades from now.
There's a delight in this, a joy in the odd and it keeps you unbalanced but moving with it. I wonder who will make the successor to the Way/Derington run a few decades from now.
heidibird's review
1.0
Let’s start with the positives! The art style is vibrant and truly a joy to look at. Many of the panels are engaging and creative.
Sadly this is where my positive comments come to an end. The rest of the comic is all over the place. Characters are poorly introduced, plot lines are vague and nonsensical and the entire volume feels lacking in direction.
It’s a no from me.
Sadly this is where my positive comments come to an end. The rest of the comic is all over the place. Characters are poorly introduced, plot lines are vague and nonsensical and the entire volume feels lacking in direction.
It’s a no from me.
thoroughlymodernreviewer's review
4.0
I received an ARC of this book from Edelweiss.
It's been quite some time since Gerad Way has published any kind of ongoing comic series. The last one he did was The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, co-written with Shaun Simon, and that was back in 2013. So, the world of comics was in need of his return. He'd been teasing the third volume of The Umbrella Academy for years now, and it was beginning to look like we'd never see another ongoing series from him again. Then came DC's announcement of the Young Animal imprint, spearheaded by Way himself. Along with the imprint would be his first ongoing series in ages, a reboot of Doom Patrol. The big question is: was his return to comics worth the wait? Answer: yes. In volume 1 of Doom Patrol, Way reintroduces readers to the unconventional team of heroes through the lens of Casey Brinke, an EMS driver who is drawn into a series of weird circumstances when she finds the broken body of Robotman. Casey and the other members of the team must outwit a bunch of aliens who want control of a magic, sentient van that can create life. So, basically, it's a pretty typical subject matter for a Gerard Way comic.
The good news is that Doom Patrol is really good. The first issue is a bit offputting, especially to people unfamiliar with the property. But once the second issue starts, things begin to fall into place and mesh into a story that's both engaging and action packed as well as emotional and moving. With Doom Patrol, Gerard Way reminds us of why he's such a welcome voice in the comics industry. The main storyline revolves around Casey Brinke's journey into this world, and her reactions as she remembers who she is and what her part in this whole story is. Way was smart to have her be the audience's way into the story, as it works both for people who are familiar with the original runs and for those who have never read an issue of Doom Patrol in their lives.
Like all of Way's stories, each character has a well developed and consistent personality throughout the series. Where he suffers, as always, is the plot. It's not a bad plot, by any means, but he often strays from it and his conclusions almost never fully live up to their setups. It's not a major problem; it's not like the conclusion to this arc is bad - it's quite good. But it's not as good as it could be, and that tends to be the case with all of Way's comics. It's as though he writes himself into a corner and can't quite get himself out, so he pulls something out of his hat and it doesn't quite work the way he thinks or hopes it will. The benefit of this story, however, is that there's the promise of much more story to come. Since this is an ongoing comic, instead of a limited series, the audience has more time with the characters to look forward to, and that's the book's best strength.
Alongside Way's remarkable character writing comes wonderful artwork from Nick Derrington. He has a style that's unique to the book but works perfectly. Each character has a well distinguished, well thought out design that makes sense for who they are what the character needs. The facial expressions are spot on and he's great with background work. His artwork is easily the best aspect of the book.
Overall, Doom Patrol, Volume 1 is a good read. It's enjoyable, full of interesting characters, and lined with good artwork.
I give it four out of five stars.
It's been quite some time since Gerad Way has published any kind of ongoing comic series. The last one he did was The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, co-written with Shaun Simon, and that was back in 2013. So, the world of comics was in need of his return. He'd been teasing the third volume of The Umbrella Academy for years now, and it was beginning to look like we'd never see another ongoing series from him again. Then came DC's announcement of the Young Animal imprint, spearheaded by Way himself. Along with the imprint would be his first ongoing series in ages, a reboot of Doom Patrol. The big question is: was his return to comics worth the wait? Answer: yes. In volume 1 of Doom Patrol, Way reintroduces readers to the unconventional team of heroes through the lens of Casey Brinke, an EMS driver who is drawn into a series of weird circumstances when she finds the broken body of Robotman. Casey and the other members of the team must outwit a bunch of aliens who want control of a magic, sentient van that can create life. So, basically, it's a pretty typical subject matter for a Gerard Way comic.
The good news is that Doom Patrol is really good. The first issue is a bit offputting, especially to people unfamiliar with the property. But once the second issue starts, things begin to fall into place and mesh into a story that's both engaging and action packed as well as emotional and moving. With Doom Patrol, Gerard Way reminds us of why he's such a welcome voice in the comics industry. The main storyline revolves around Casey Brinke's journey into this world, and her reactions as she remembers who she is and what her part in this whole story is. Way was smart to have her be the audience's way into the story, as it works both for people who are familiar with the original runs and for those who have never read an issue of Doom Patrol in their lives.
Like all of Way's stories, each character has a well developed and consistent personality throughout the series. Where he suffers, as always, is the plot. It's not a bad plot, by any means, but he often strays from it and his conclusions almost never fully live up to their setups. It's not a major problem; it's not like the conclusion to this arc is bad - it's quite good. But it's not as good as it could be, and that tends to be the case with all of Way's comics. It's as though he writes himself into a corner and can't quite get himself out, so he pulls something out of his hat and it doesn't quite work the way he thinks or hopes it will. The benefit of this story, however, is that there's the promise of much more story to come. Since this is an ongoing comic, instead of a limited series, the audience has more time with the characters to look forward to, and that's the book's best strength.
Alongside Way's remarkable character writing comes wonderful artwork from Nick Derrington. He has a style that's unique to the book but works perfectly. Each character has a well distinguished, well thought out design that makes sense for who they are what the character needs. The facial expressions are spot on and he's great with background work. His artwork is easily the best aspect of the book.
Overall, Doom Patrol, Volume 1 is a good read. It's enjoyable, full of interesting characters, and lined with good artwork.
I give it four out of five stars.
lovebat's review
3.0
would like this a lot more if it was actually about the doom patrol and not gerard's oc
spacestationtrustfund's review
2.0
The art was the best part of this single. The plot was only "okay."
hoatzin's review
3.0
Once you get past the almost-incomprehensible first issue, it's a fun ride. Maybe some doom patrol knowledge would've helped me there but I don't think so. What was up with the fly and the gyro? Anyways after that you could basically follow it as long as you accepted it was ridiculous. Which I did. The art was good. It was fun. Good enough, I say
ohboysidd's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Medical content, Mental illness, and Violence
butterpoached's review
4.0
A fun, mind bending adventure with pretty art. What more could one ask for?
typhii's review
3.0
3.5/5 ⭐️ okay i kind of like the disorienting-ness of this…. i feel like i’ll like the second volume more with the story kind of up and running
concussedcoffeegeek's review
5.0
Rarely do I wrote reviews on Goodreads, but this one deserves it.
I have been on-board with Doom Patrol V.4 since it launched back in September. After reading the first issue, I said to myself "I have no idea what I just read...but I love it."-- Something that continued for the next 3 issues until, finally, things started to click. What I found was a beautifully written, masterfully illustrated, and deceitfully witty story that will charm even the least imaginative individuals (like myself).
Gerard Way has done an excellent job of taking an already "out there" book and paying homage to it's past incarnations, as well as the comics medium as a whole. Needless to say, I adored this first arc of Way's Doom Patrol, and I look forward to what's to come!
I have been on-board with Doom Patrol V.4 since it launched back in September. After reading the first issue, I said to myself "I have no idea what I just read...but I love it."-- Something that continued for the next 3 issues until, finally, things started to click. What I found was a beautifully written, masterfully illustrated, and deceitfully witty story that will charm even the least imaginative individuals (like myself).
Gerard Way has done an excellent job of taking an already "out there" book and paying homage to it's past incarnations, as well as the comics medium as a whole. Needless to say, I adored this first arc of Way's Doom Patrol, and I look forward to what's to come!