Unstoppable Doom Patrol (2023) #1

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The series places the team front and center in the DCU to take on a nefarious supervillain team-up as Monsieur Mallah and General Immortus join forces for their latest fiendish scheme. Initially planned to run for six issues, fan support ahead of the series’ launch led to an interlude being added, extending the title’s run to seven issues as a testament to the quirky ensemble’s enduring appeal. Atrocious Alias: Robotman and Guy Gardner aren't impressed that a metahuman consisting of a Starro probe merging with its human host chose to call himself "StarBro". Culver: Yeah, it was IDW's G.I. Joe [#8], but they were like, "Who's the new Cobra Commander?" They had the mask, and if you scratched off the mask, it showed the face of the new Cobra Commander. As far as I know, it's never been done before, and it's never been done where it's had different outcomes and things like that. Yeah, I'm really excited about it. They did a test at the DC offices, so it works [and] looks really good. I can't wait. I just think it's so neat, and I just love that it feels like you couldn't really do this with any other character and make it work like this. A preview for Unstoppable Doom Patrol introduces readers to Beast Girl, a brand-new character who will be joining the titular team of heroes. DC also revealed at WonderCon that Unstoppable Doom Patrol, originally announced as a six-issue miniseries, is getting a bonus issue with Unstoppable Doom Patrol #4, which will be drawn by David Lafuente. Culver: Burnham brought a really cool visual to Flit [and] the way her teleportation works in that Lazarus Planet special. He's killing it. I love how he makes each of those identities really distinct.

Culver: Well, Issue #1, if you look at the art, they're going into Gotham City, so Batman and Robin are definitely showing up. It's Batman and Tim Drake, and nobody's happy about it. Batman's not happy they're in Gotham, and the Doom Patrol's not happy that Batman is getting in their business. We've got some other cool surprises too. Like I said, this is a Doom Patrol that's firmly rooted in the DC Universe. There’s a couple of pretty people in it, but most people in it are mangled. I find it much more enjoyable to draw that sort of thing. It’s got a little bit of sci-fi, some body horror, big fights…it’s awesome. In issue 1 the Chief dismisses Batman admonishing the Doom Patrol for operating in Gotham City, saying his methods of sending them to Arkham or S.T.A.R. Labs is ineffective at best and dehumanizing at worst. They'll go wherever they're needed to give a vulnerable population support to live with their new powers and protection from exploitation, and they don't want or need permission from a Control Freak like him to do it. DENNIS:Well, in the preview art, they’re going to Gotham City, and I don’t think anyone’s ever gone to Gotham City without running into Batman. And no one’s happy. Batman’s not happy they’re there, and they’re not happy Batman is in their business. It’s problems for everyone.More to the point, the Doom Patrol is perfectly positioned as the superhero team to take point in the DCU in the ongoing absence of the Justice League. Yes, there is a relaunch of the Titans coming later this year, but the Titans have always been something of a younger extension of the core Justice League members’ legacies. The Doom Patrol, on the other hand, have always been the unique misfit team, the quirky outcasts who usually don’t get to play with the DCU’s cool kids. CHAINSAW NUN is a deep cut for Jane's alters and has only appeared among the other alters in the Underground. Burnham's take on her is super rad and I can't wait until you see her in action.

Superman Stays Out of Gotham: Defied in the first issue, which opens with the Doom Patrol fighting a company experimenting on a metahuman in Gotham. Batman chafes at their intervention, but gets brushed off as not making enough effort to insure the safety or well-being of metahumans. Issue 3 has Kyle Rayner and Guy Gardner discuss this and how they're stepping on a lot of toes, with Guy thinking they're not so bad if they stood up to Batman. The same issue has Robotman attempt to shake off the pursuing Green Lanterns by cutting through Smallville, reasoning that they'll stay out of Superman's home turf. It doesn't work.The Doom Patrol offers an alternative to a very broken system and this will put them in conflict with the rest of the superhero community." Appropriated Appellation: Degenerate calls himself that because it was the name given to him by the people at Metagen. DENNIS:I re-read everything, and I’m hitting all of it. If you’re a lifelong Doom Patrolsuperfan, you’re going to see the easter eggs in there. But I make sure you have everything you need in there if you’ve never read any. Personally, I grew up reading the Grant Morrison run, so that’s kind of my home base of Doom Patrol,but I’ve followed every version before and after that. I think Burnham, you like the original stuff, right?

Culver: I love the show. I think it's one of the best live-action things that DC has ever done. It's so good. So I texted Burnham, and he was immediately like, ‘Hell yeah.’ It evolved from there. From Unstoppable Doom Patrol #1. The Doom Patrol has never been a part of that and they no longer think their methods of doing things work," he writes. CHRIS BURNHAM:I was perfectly between books. I had just finished up on Creepshow,and I was looking for my next project. My good buddy Dennis asked, ‘What about Doom Patrol?’ I was like, ‘Sweet, I’m sold,’ but it’s also the exact type of comic I love drawing. I love drawing monsters and violence and sadness and a little bit of human drama to offset it. It’s the absolute perfect comic for me to draw.There Are No Therapists: Subverted; not only is there a facility therapist, Dr. Syncho, but she's also metahuman as well, averting All Therapists Are Muggles. Burnham: Yeah, I'm pretty pleased with that. [ Laughs] My take on it is maybe a little different than in the past. She's going through a full physical transformation each and every time, and not just swapping out hairstyles or outfits. She looks like a different being every time.