Byrne-ing Up

As promised!

Here's the image Rob used for my blog header. This presentation of it is just a little larger than the one on the top of the page.

Make with the clicking and you can read the info as well as see the pretty drawing. I do apologize for the splicing, but taking the staples out of a 24-year-old comic (this comic is of legal drinking age and then some!) and trying to refold, scan and frankenstein perfection is not a task for the weary nor impatient. Yes, I am gonna plead guilty to both today.

This is from Who's Who, Volume VII (7 for you Roman numerically challenged among my readership) from the first edition in 1985. Tapped to draw the DP, John Byrne must have been in his own personal heaven, as it took him nearly two decades to finally get his shot at the Doom Patrol in volume 4 of the DP title.

I wonder what it would have turned out like if Byrne had been given the all-clear for a Man of Steel-like reboot in 1985.

Negative Monday 11

It's Monday, but I'm not Negative! Rob Kelly, of Aquaman Shrine fame, crafted a sweet Blog header for me.

^ Check it out! It's up there!^

Cool, ain't it?

Anyhoo, I spent waaaaaay too much time at the car dealer today to provide an appropriately Negative blog entry, so this header from Rob counts as today's entry.

Enjoy!

To make it up to you, I'll post the image Rob used in the header tomorrow. It's from the original Who's Who.

DC Universe Classics Wave 10

Hooray and huzzah!

Looks like we've got some more Doom Patrol plastic perfection headed our way! According to Julius Marx over at Action Figure Insider, Robotman and Beast Boy have been confirmed as members of the 10th wave of DC Universe Classics figures!

Other members of that lineup include Man-Bat, Joker, and Power Girl.

Here's PG from Action Figure Insider (in case you couldn't tell by the watermark).
The downside is that this wave is a Wal-Mart exclusive. That kinda sucks for folks who either don't have a nearby Walmart or flat-out don't like Walmart.

No word on who the "Collect and Connect" is, but I'm hoping it'll be Rita Farr.

As always, when I know more, I will gladly share!

Elasti-Girl Friday 12 - Super-special Saturday Edition

Hey all!
Originally I planned on delivering some more pages from Doom Patrol #91, featuring Mento's first appearance - honestly I was originally planning to make this a Mento week, kicking off last Sunday with a special Father's Day tribute. Anyway, I got a little sidetracked and now I'm gonna be even more sidetracked.

Matthew Clark has posted some more bits of DP goodness on his MySpace page. One of those bits we've already seen, in the form of the Iron/Robotman arm-wrestling piece.

The other I've seen, but I'm not so sure you have. So now you will.
Ka-pow!

See? Matthew says:

Also I'm doing a special Doom Patrol promo piece for conventions should I actual go to one. I'm printing them up on good paper and they measure about 26 by 48 so they will be good sized and limited to a specific print run. Here are the pencils and the inks will follow in a few weeks.

I'm hoping I can catch up with Matthew at whatever con he finds himself going to. I'd love to see the final piece. Pretty sure I've got a 26"x48" space on my office wall where this would fit ever-so-nicely.

going to count this for the Elasti-Girl Friday entry, as Rita is the most prominent character on the poster.

DP at the Source

The Source has some more DP goodness, laying a sneak peek at Doom Patrol #1 interior pages on us right now! I sure hope these pages wind up as preview printed pages in the next month's books, like we've seen with Power Girl, Detective, and Justice League: Cry for Justice. It'd be nice to actually turn some Doom Patrol pages with my hands!

Here's what Alex Segura has to say over at the Source:

Let’s cut to the chase: We’ve got an early look at the first issue of DOOM PATROL #1, right here. Written by Keith Giffen with amazing art from Matthew Clark and featuring a METAL MAN co-feature by Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis and artist Kevin Maguire, it’s hard to think of why anyone would pass the issue up, no? But we refuse to miss a chance to show some of these great-looking pages. The world’s strangest Super-Heroes are back, and whether you think you know them or not, Giffen and Clark are pouring themselves into this new series, which — as they’ve both stated — is a dream come true.

It seems like we've been waiting forever for this book, but it's a little over a month away now!

I'll post the images later when they link in better for me.

Almost Doom Patrol!

This week gives us a little nugget of Doom Patrol goodness- er, well, Doom Patrol evilness, in the form of General Immortus as the bad guy in the latest issue of Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

Issue #6, penned by J. Torres and drawn by Andy Suriano with Dan Davis on inks sees the "Forever Soldier" trying to cobble together a commandable army of warriors from times past. Torres spins Immortus into an amusing character, as Immortus recounts his failings in summoning his army from yesteryear. Twelve viking raiders, six knights, four old west outlaws and three spartans come to the present day and pose a bit of a problem for the Dark Knight detective.

Batman draws up his own recruit in the form of Kid Eternity, which of course leads to a few more guest stars, as revealed on the cover.

A wacky adventure, befitting the tone of the television series, but unlimited in character usage.

The DP themselves do not make an appearance in this issue, save for Batman mentioning them in his monologue exposition that helps introduce the readers to General Immortus. I could almost hear Diedrich Bader's voice speaking to me through this issue.

Four (out of five) stars!

I'll add some images later this evening.

It's evening. I'll just leave the images here and we can discuss a little later:

. . . and now for something completely different. . .

I know, I know, I know. This is supposed to be a Doom Patrol blog. It is, was, and will be. Give me one click of your time and you can thank me later.

Why?

Well, while you're waiting for me to type on and on about the next big thing for the DP, or give you some snippet of the DP I found, I thought I'd share something I like with you. Here's the sweet part: it's free.

You may have heard of Agents of Atlas from Marvel comics. Or maybe you haven't. Click here and you can read about them for free. That's right, Marvel is giving you a free sneak peek.

Why do you care? It's a sweet comic, that's why. It features a robot, a talking gorilla and a few other characters worth checking out. Give it a go, come back and let me know what you think.

Besides, it'll help fill some of that time you wish you could be spending reading new Doom Patrol adventures. Sorry, I can't share any of those with you, but this is a darn close second.

Tomorrow we'll return to DP chitchat. I swear.

Negative Monday 10

Here's the splash page from the digest reprinting of Mento's first appearance.

Conveniently enough, the issue this is a reprinting of is also the first appearance of Garguax in Doom Patrol (first volume) #91.
I figured this was a great choice for Negative Monday, as Larry and Mento are both struggling for Rita's attention. I'll be posting more about this issue and these characters in the next few days this week. Heck, maybe I'll try something new and make this week all about one issue.

Tune in and find out.

Elasti-Girl Friday 11

Friday! Friday! Friiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiday!

I don't know about the rest of you, but I wasn't so sure this week would have a Friday. I started off under the weather (and the weather has been craptacular here in Michigan lately) on Monday and the week only got yuckier from there.

But I made it!

Anyhoo, I'm cheating my way through this week's Elasti-Girl Friday and hopefully expanding the knowledge of a reader or two at the same time. Rita's on the image below, so it counts, right?

The Source - specifically Alex Segura - dropped another Doom Patrol related sneak peek on us today. Take a lookie:
Nice, huh?
He also gave us Giffen's original thumbnail sketch:

So what is it? I dunno. I'm going to guess it's either:
a: an advertisement for the upcoming DP series (although Giffen's note of "cover" shoots that theory in the bum)
b: a variant cover to issue #1
or
c. the cover to issue #4.

Wait, did I say the cover to #4? Yes I did. Yes, yes indeed, I did. But DC has only solicited Doom Patrol #1 and Doom Patrol #2. Yes, Rob Kelly, they have only solicited those two, but I can assure you this is NOT the cover to Doom Patrol #3. At least not the MAIN cover.Let's just say I've seen visions.

Speaking of visions, this week has two - TWO - comic cons going on! There's certain to be some Doom Patrol-ish announcements made and as soon as I'm aware of them, I'll post links and images and news.

Oh yeah! It's also Father's Day. Happy Father's Day to all you groovy daddy-os out there.

UPDATE:

Finished ink image from the Source.

September Comics

Geez. Nothing like wishing away the summer, huh?

Sometimes I like looking ahead, but with the summer just settling in, it's kinda sad to think this far down the road to September. Of course, fall is my favorite season, but I'm also rather partial to summer as that's when I tend to take the most time for my family.

You didn't come here to read this drivel though, did you? No, you want Doom Patrol news! Or reviews. Or tidbits. Snippets. Or other information.

Well, look no further. Courtesy of my fine friends over at Comic Book Resources, here's the covers and solicit text for Doom Patrolish comics in September:

Lets start with a comic related to the Doom Patrol via writer. Here's Magog #1. I must admit, I'm at a loss that this character has his own series, but with Giffen and Porter on board, I'm game. MAGOG #1
Written by Keith Giffen
Art and variant cover by Howard Porter & John Dell
Cover by Glenn Fabry
Introducing the latest member of the Justice Society of America to break out into his own monthly series!
Tired of chafing at the restraints that being a member of the JSA put upon him, Magog decides to take justice into his own hands and track down who’s behind the dealing of high-tech arms to lowlife scum around the DC Universe! Be here as the hunt starts Magog on the path to discovering his own unavoidable destiny thanks to writer Keith Giffen (JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL, DOOM PATROL) and artists Howard Porter and John Dell, the acclaimed team behind JLA! Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Glenn Fabry), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Howard Porter & John Dell). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale September 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Beast Boy's having some loneliness issue in the September issue of Titans.
TITANS #17
Written by Pat McCallum
Art by Angel Unzueta & Wayne Faucher
Cover by Angel Unzueta
Spotlight on Beast Boy! Gar Logan grows tired of not being taken seriously by his Titans teammates. And what he plans on doing about it will shock you!
On sale September 9 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Beast Boy's appearances in Titans have not been great. He's been there, but he hasn't been a scene stealer by any means. Throughout the whole "Deathtrap" storyline he was mopey and whiney, and judging by the cover for Titans #17, things won't be changing any too quickly.

Not to mention Beast Boy's issues in Blackest Night: Titans.

BLACKEST NIGHT: TITANS #2
Written by J.T. Krul
Art and cover by Ed Benes & Rob Hunter
Variant cover by Brian Haberlin
Titan-on-Titan violence! Black Lantern Hawk has his talons set for the female Hawk and Dove! Meanwhile, Red Star faces a frightful family reunion with Black Lanterns Pantha and Wildebeest, and Donna Troy faces her worst possible nightmare! Plus, Black Lantern Terra terrorizes Beast Boy! Continuing the 3-issue miniseries from writer J.T. Krul (JSA CLASSIFIED, Fathom) and superstar artist Ed Benes (JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA)!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Ed Benes & Rob Hunter), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Brian Haberlin). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale September 30 • 2 of 3 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

That is one creepy zombie baby. Can there possibly be anything creepier than zombie babies? I, for one, wouldn't dare think about changing a zombie baby's diaper. Ewwwwwww.

Sorry. Tangents happen all the time around these parts.

Finally, there's Doom Patrol #2.
DOOM PATROL #2
Written by Keith Giffen;
co-feature written by Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis
Art by Matthew Clark & John Livesay;
co-feature art by Kevin Maguire
Cover by Matthew Clark
Variant cover by Matthew Clark and Kevin Maguire
It's a black hole, but it's not a black hole. If you're a Doom Patrol fan, that made perfect sense. And even if not, then you're in for one hell of a ride as the Doom Patrol face off against the most annoying alien this side of G'nort. Who's G'nort? What, do we have to spoon-feed this stuff to you?
Oh, and we send the Metal Men into space. Just because.
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Matthew Clark), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Matthew Clark and Kevin Maguire). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale September 9 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

I had not seen this cover - nor any of the stages it went through - until now, so I must say, it's surprisingly cool. Clark's knack for detail wows me every time. Not only that, but his enthusiasm for this book shines through in every piece of art I see for this title. I like the color of Rita's jumpsuit (which, I gotta admit, if you're going to grow taller than most people, a jumpsuit is so much more practical than a skirt). In Matthew Clark (and Keith Giffen with Livesay) I trust.

So what do you all think of these September offerings? Any other books catch your eye?

DP Action Figures?!?!

As some of you know we were supposed to get some Doom Patrol action figures with the Bandai Teen Titans set a few years back. As a matter of fact, at least protoypes were made. Their only knwn appearance was at the 2006 Toy Fair. Here's a shot from Superhero Times:

The news of the day, back in 2006, was from Superhero Times. Action Figure Insider also had some news on the figs in 2006.

Check it out! There was gonna be a Brain figure! Action might not have been the key word there, but it would have been a figure. Some inroads are being made towards a Brain figure, as there are anticpated Brain and Mallah figures coming up in Mattel's Infinite Heroes line in a special six-pack of figures flying under the banner of "Mallah's Revenge". Here's a link to the Big Bad Toy Store, but it appears they've sold out. Some more info about this six-pack can be found on Toy News International. Looks like you'll be able to get your paws on a Brain and Mallah (complete with beret) in the near future, but why they're pitted against Cyborg, Raven, Arsenal, and Robin escapes me. Seems like a perfect opportunity to introduce the Doom Patrol to this figure line.


BUT THE REAL NEWS (in my opinion) comes to us from the blog: The Amazing Justice League of Julius Marx. For those of you who aren't familiar with "Julius Marx" in regards to the toy scene, he's THE GUY in the know. Daniel Pickett (aka Julius Marx) is the equivalent of Joan Rivers on the red carpet, except Daniel's red carpet involves action figures. Bad analogy for you? OK, he's like John Madden, but instead of getting worked up about football or Brett Favre, Max/Pickett delivers scoops on the toy world.
That's right, he's the action figure world's very own "Scoops" Cunningham. He gets scoops and previews and insider info on most of the superhero (and other licensed) action figures out there. Between his blog and the main Action Figure Insider site, there's never a lack of information about what's new, what's coming up and what might be.

Looks like we're in for some Doom Patrol figures from Mattel to fit in with the JLU line.
Here's a shot:

From Marx's aforementioned blog.

And some more information can be found at the Hall of Justice (where else?!?). These figures look legitimate to me, but they have yet to show up on the Matty Collector site.

Rest assured, friends, as soon as I know more, I'll be sharing it right here!

Since it IS a Negative Monday, here's a closer shot of the 2006 Bandai Negative Man figure that never materialized for collectors, courtesy of Action Figure Insider's 2006 Toy Fair coverage.


To make up for not giving you an Elasti-Girl Friday this past week, here's the Bandai version of Rita Farr, also from AFI's 2006 coverage.

More Giffen

Keith Giffen writes a column for CBR with almost as much frequency as I manage to update this blog lately, but he's got a new entry today. He lists 50 reasons why he's glad to be writing comics.

#21. Doom Patrol, Doom Patrol, Doom
Patrol.

In addition to his list, he drops off his thoughts on Talent Deserving of Greater Recognition. He elects to disqualify the folks he is currently working with.

Check out the rest list here.