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This is from the second issue of John Byrne's 2004 reboot of the Doom Patrol. To say Larry's got a skin condition might be a little bit of an understatement.
More later this week as things get tamed.
I love how Barry Kitson matched up Green Lantern and Negative Man in the first (and feel free to correct me if that's wrong) team-up between the JLA and the DP. Cliff taking on Martian Manhunter is inspired too.
I'm curious what happened to Aquaman in this struggle as he appears to be down for the count. Flash is also nowhere to be seen.
The story is a very Silver Age-ish affair. The Brotherhood of Evil is stealing parts from people and creating a Frankenstein's monster-like army. The Doom Patrol hits the scene first and are quickly upstaged by the League.
The exchange between the Flash and Aquaman as an expository tool to introduce JLA readers to the Doom Patrol is classic Mark Waid. Bravo!
I especially love how Flash's question just hangs out there for Aquaman (and the reader) to ponder, with Flash completely oblivious to the awkwardness of the moment. I'd love to see Aquaman and the DP team up a little more frequently, as Aquaman frequently seems more apt to be an outsider than a headliner.
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The Other Elasti-Girl. . .
The other Elasti-Girl, now officially known as Mrs. Incredible - at least as far as comics go - found her way to the new comic book shelves this week under the pen of - surprise! - Mark Waid.
The four-issue series, written by Mark Waid and featuring art from was released from BOOM! Studios on Wednesday and will also be available on newstands everywhere.
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. . . and one other thing. . .
Monsters Vs. Aliens opens to day with Reese Witherspoon providing the voice for Susan Murphy aka Ginormica.
Looks like a fun movie to me. The kids are dying to see it.
Let me know what you think about ANY of these topics.
Rita was filming a scene with a crocodile (I bet she'd appreciate modern CGI) and declared the only way to avoid the hungry croc was to plunge over the edge of a raging waterfall. Turns out she was right. The croc, being no dummy, turns away, but Rita falls. The rest of the origin lies below for your perusal.
Poor, poor distraught Rita Farr. Cursed with the "terrible" power of growing larger or smaller, she walked away from a promising movie career. Good news for the readers, though, as she became the heart of the Doom Patrol.
Perez also added some new artwork for the back cover, which I will add in a little later today. Be sure to check back.
Coming up Friday, I'll be returning with some more Elasti-Girl Friday fun. Until then, keep Patrolling.
I've included the cover (above) and a page from inside (below).
Rita's first line in the book was to admonish Chief for being brusque with his guests. She greets the West family at the door, and its Chief with, "Oh, Chief, where are your manners? Honestly!"
From there she warms up to the twins and takes them off to see the torture chamber. Her role in this book is an eerie housemom/lab assistant role. Very similar to the way the character was played in the 1960s, but with a modern sensibility that gives her a very creepy overtone. This is especially obvious in the dinner scene with the West family and Metamorpho all gathered round the table with the Dom Patrol.
I personally found this issue to be the most enjoyable of the series (and it is available in the second collected edition). What really made it all for me was Iris trying to discreetly ask her daddy what is "wrong" with Rita. As a parent myself, I enjoyed this interchange, and can easily put myself in Wally's chair.
In the end, it is through the powers and abilities of al present that Jai and Iris are able to achieve a more stable condition. Unfortunately, this encounter doesn't get referenced during the main Flash run, at that time also written by Waid, but the important thing is that the kids are better.
There you have it, the second Elasti-Girl Friday. Have a great weekend and come back Monday for another Negative Monday.