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the_bard's review
5.0
A sort of reboot/continuation of the off-and-on "world's strangest superheroes," this time written by the lead singer of My Chemical Romance, Gerard Way. My favorite version of the team was done by writer Grant Morrison in the 1990s, which Way is heavily influenced by, giving this comic a heavy dose of surreal weirdness very reminiscent of Morrison's run, but also with a strong sense of lighthearted, optimistic fun. All of that makes this my second favorite incarnation of the team, with the potential for this to move up to the #1 spot (sorry, Grant!). The only problem with it is that it's so heavily reliant on past continuity, particularly Morrison's run, that I think it could be difficult for someone who's never heard of the Doom Patrol to really get into it. If Goodreads let you use half-stars, I would dock this a half for the continuity-heaviness of it. But otherwise, this is fantastic.
eims's review
4.0
A fun and super weird comic book. I would have to read it again to fully understand what I've already read. It was weird.
thestylishreader's review
4.0
Coronavirus read #2 (sure, I’ll track it. Why not?)
Let me be clear: I want to rate it five stars because it is an amazingly well-done book, weird and strange in all of the beautiful ways possible! The art is fantastically wacky. The world building is epic. I’d like to thank Gerard Way for reminding me Danny the Living Street exists. Yes, that’s a thing! (Read the book)
I also want to rate it 3 stars because of how annoying it is. For the first two issues, you are completely thrown into a world where nothing makes sense (even if you do have a little bit of Doom Patrol under your belt already) and you’re just expected to go with the flow, with no explanations whatsoever. Unless of course the explanations make it weirder, in which case...the more explanations the merrier!
Let’s split the difference and make it 4 stars then. Thanks to this creative team, I will never have to try PCP or any similar drug. This book will do the trick just fine...
Let me be clear: I want to rate it five stars because it is an amazingly well-done book, weird and strange in all of the beautiful ways possible! The art is fantastically wacky. The world building is epic. I’d like to thank Gerard Way for reminding me Danny the Living Street exists. Yes, that’s a thing! (Read the book)
I also want to rate it 3 stars because of how annoying it is. For the first two issues, you are completely thrown into a world where nothing makes sense (even if you do have a little bit of Doom Patrol under your belt already) and you’re just expected to go with the flow, with no explanations whatsoever. Unless of course the explanations make it weirder, in which case...the more explanations the merrier!
Let’s split the difference and make it 4 stars then. Thanks to this creative team, I will never have to try PCP or any similar drug. This book will do the trick just fine...
diamondxgirl's review
5.0
As Gerard Way says, this book isn’t meant to be reviewed but to be experienced.
And experienced it, I did.
And experienced it, I did.
becks_books's review
2.0
1ST TIME READING: I don't understand any of this.
I've already started re-reading it in the hopes of understanding it this time, and so far some of it makes a bit more sense but it's still so confusing.
On the plus side, I'd really like to tell someone who was just starting out with comics that this is great for newbies and just watch their brain explode as a prank.
I just can't rate this yet... I did enjoy some bits like in the 1st issue how Casey and Terry became roommates was great, but then I had to really force myself to keep reading on other bits. I never thought I'd be saying this but maybe this is just TOO WEIRD for me (context: I'm a weirdo)
2ND TIME READING: Yeah... I still don't understand most of this. I think I kind of liked it but I will say that there definitely needed to be more explanation as to who the characters were because I felt like I didn't know who any of them were- even the characters who seem kind of normal at the beginning end up having really strange powers/ backstories etc. and then some new characters were introduced from nowhere with no explanation as to whether they were even human or if they had powers etc. I understand that Doom Patrol has been going for a while now so maybe I should have looked up some information on it before reading this- but it doesn't seem to be particularly new-reader-friendly. Also- I think maybe too many characters were introduced at once to the point where I couldn't really tell you much about their personalities so I couldn't really say I liked or disliked any of them that much.
I've already started re-reading it in the hopes of understanding it this time, and so far some of it makes a bit more sense but it's still so confusing.
On the plus side, I'd really like to tell someone who was just starting out with comics that this is great for newbies and just watch their brain explode as a prank.
I just can't rate this yet... I did enjoy some bits like in the 1st issue how Casey and Terry became roommates was great, but then I had to really force myself to keep reading on other bits. I never thought I'd be saying this but maybe this is just TOO WEIRD for me (context: I'm a weirdo)
2ND TIME READING: Yeah... I still don't understand most of this. I think I kind of liked it but I will say that there definitely needed to be more explanation as to who the characters were because I felt like I didn't know who any of them were- even the characters who seem kind of normal at the beginning end up having really strange powers/ backstories etc. and then some new characters were introduced from nowhere with no explanation as to whether they were even human or if they had powers etc. I understand that Doom Patrol has been going for a while now so maybe I should have looked up some information on it before reading this- but it doesn't seem to be particularly new-reader-friendly. Also- I think maybe too many characters were introduced at once to the point where I couldn't really tell you much about their personalities so I couldn't really say I liked or disliked any of them that much.
meghan_is_reading's review
I was going to wait until I finished all the Morrison Doom Patrol, but I need to change out my library books AND I REGRET NOTHING! I loved this rollercoaster ride.
beyadob's review
2.0
The story felt needlessly convoluted and full of weirdness for the sake of being weird. None of the characters really clicked and, to be honest, it seemed to be written for long-time fans of the series rather than new readers like me. Inaccessible is the most accurate word to really describe how I feel about the book and the series.
I've read weird stories before. Thing is, the narrative may feel 'weird' and disjointed, among other things, but it has to come together near the end without coming across as confusing and pointless. Sadly, this volume falls into a hole it dug for itself and has put me off from reading Doom Patrol any further.
I've read weird stories before. Thing is, the narrative may feel 'weird' and disjointed, among other things, but it has to come together near the end without coming across as confusing and pointless. Sadly, this volume falls into a hole it dug for itself and has put me off from reading Doom Patrol any further.
usernamewanted24's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
4.25
My Chemical Romance exist because of 911 so does this book
howlinglibraries's review
5.0
"You don't know what's going on inside of someone, really. There's a hidden universe in there... full of secret stars."
In this issue of Doom Patrol, Gerard Way puts his own unique spin on a classic set of characters. While you may recognize the cast, everyone can find something brand new to love in the beautiful, bold artwork and zany dialogue of Brick by Brick.
---
The afterword of this graphic novel summed up so many of my thoughts regarding the book. Gerard wrote, “We want you to feel like it’s 3am and you have no idea what’s going on, but somehow you do,” and that is such a fantastic fucking way to phrase how I felt throughout the entirety of this comic book. I wasn’t raised on comics much (because I didn’t have a lot of access to them or exposure), so this was my very first taste of Doom Patrol. I’ll be upfront with you guys: I requested this ARC on NetGalley primarily because I have never outgrown my absolute adoration for My Chemical Romance or Gerard Way as an individual, and when I saw his name on it, I had to have it. That said… I thoroughly enjoyed this comic book.
The characters are absolutely brilliant. I wanted most of them to be real just so I could befriend them all, because they’re so clever and enjoyable. The dialogue is fun, and I’m certain it will bring a smile to your face, though more than once, it made me pause and think for a moment, too (as with the quote I used at the top of this review). The artwork is glorious, and colorful, and vibrant, and everything that I want in a graphic novel.
Overall, though, I’m going to have to agree with the thoughts I’ve seen from a lot of reviewers, as well as the reviewer that Gerard himself quoted in his afterword: I can’t review this story. It isn’t that I didn’t love it – because I did – and it isn’t that I was confused by it – because I wasn’t (not by the end, at least). It’s just that this comic is such an experience. Like any other roller coaster ride, someone could tell you about it all day long, but you’d never fully understand the delight of it until you strap yourself in.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys Doom Patrol, DC comics, or just a damn good story. I can’t wait to see what else Gerard has in store for the world.
In this issue of Doom Patrol, Gerard Way puts his own unique spin on a classic set of characters. While you may recognize the cast, everyone can find something brand new to love in the beautiful, bold artwork and zany dialogue of Brick by Brick.
---
The afterword of this graphic novel summed up so many of my thoughts regarding the book. Gerard wrote, “We want you to feel like it’s 3am and you have no idea what’s going on, but somehow you do,” and that is such a fantastic fucking way to phrase how I felt throughout the entirety of this comic book. I wasn’t raised on comics much (because I didn’t have a lot of access to them or exposure), so this was my very first taste of Doom Patrol. I’ll be upfront with you guys: I requested this ARC on NetGalley primarily because I have never outgrown my absolute adoration for My Chemical Romance or Gerard Way as an individual, and when I saw his name on it, I had to have it. That said… I thoroughly enjoyed this comic book.
The characters are absolutely brilliant. I wanted most of them to be real just so I could befriend them all, because they’re so clever and enjoyable. The dialogue is fun, and I’m certain it will bring a smile to your face, though more than once, it made me pause and think for a moment, too (as with the quote I used at the top of this review). The artwork is glorious, and colorful, and vibrant, and everything that I want in a graphic novel.
Overall, though, I’m going to have to agree with the thoughts I’ve seen from a lot of reviewers, as well as the reviewer that Gerard himself quoted in his afterword: I can’t review this story. It isn’t that I didn’t love it – because I did – and it isn’t that I was confused by it – because I wasn’t (not by the end, at least). It’s just that this comic is such an experience. Like any other roller coaster ride, someone could tell you about it all day long, but you’d never fully understand the delight of it until you strap yourself in.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys Doom Patrol, DC comics, or just a damn good story. I can’t wait to see what else Gerard has in store for the world.
neonnikki's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this! I wasn't sure how this was going to go, because I have a limited tolerance for super nonsensical stories and I'd heard this was next level weird. But as weird as this story is, it grabbed me from the start and I love this cast of characters and the journey they're on. The art (Nick Derington) and the colours (Tamra Bonvillain) are amazing. And I'm officially going to try and read whatever Gerard Way writes next.