Doom Patrol: Weight of the Worlds #1 – Gerard Way, Writer; Jeremy Lambert, Artist; James Harvey, Colorist
Ray – 8.5/10
Ray: DC’s most surreal book returns for another round from Young Animal, with original series writer Gerard Way joined by new artist Jeremy Lambert. Lambert gives this issue a more surreal vibe, heavily influenced by experimental indie comics – which works very well for a title that once had a all-powerful Milkman remaking reality. This first issue is much stronger than the series often was in its first run when it was bogged down by too many plots and massive delays. The Doom Patrol as it was is no more, and everyone is off on their own adventures and dealing with their own issues. For some, that’s been a much needed new beginning. For others, it’s a path to history repeating itself in tragedy. Robotman is now Cliff Steele again, an ordinary middle-aged man, and he’s determined to right the wrongs he committed before he became Robotman. Casey Brinke, meanwhile, is still trying to find the right balance between what her life was and what it’s been transformed into.
Giving individual two-page segments or so to many of the characters works well, as little subplots like Larry getting a therapy dog or Crazy Jane taking control of her mental state and becoming a trusted member of the team help a lot in humanizing them. The main plot of the issue is a little out there and might lose some people – it involves Flex Mentallo on a fitness obsessed planet ruled by an insane overseer trying to keep the people from realizing their true destiny to become giant floaty balloons. I wish I could say it makes sense in context, but only somewhat. The last segment of the issue, though, brings it home in a brutal confrontation between Cliff and his cruel, embittered elderly mother resulting in Cliff making a self-destructive choice that sets up the next issue. This title isn’t so much a narrative as it is an experience, but so far it’s an experience I want to take again.
To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.
GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
