Saturday, March 22, 2014

Doomed in June: Doom Patrol-related solicits for June 2014

If you've been reading Justice League during Forever Evil, you've seen some peeks and received some teases about what the New 52 (it's been almost three years now, is it really still "new"?) has in store for the Doom Patrol. Well, my friends, keep reading Justice League! Why? Because it looks like the Doom Patrol just might be major players. Here's the solicitation text:

JUSTICE LEAGUE #32Written by GEOFF JOHNSArt and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADODC Collectibles Bombshells variant cover by ANT LUCIA1:25 Variant cover by HOWARD PORTEROn sale JUNE 18 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED TCombo pack edition: $4.99 USRetailers: This issue will ship with four covers. Please see the order form for details.Lex Luthor continues his acclimation to his life as a one of the world's greatest heroes as they search for the mysterious power threatening to unravel our world. But are his sights really set on the Dark Knight? And are the Dark Knight's set on him?Plus, someone else is targeting Luthor and his new allies – a man who believes himself Luthor’s superior in every way...and maybe he is! Here comes The Chief and his treacherous Doom Patrol to The New 52!This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

The Chief vs. Lex Luthor in a battle of the brains?! GAME ON!! I'm not so sure about the treacherous Doom Patrol, but I do supposed it would fit in with the darker and grittier DCU.



We've seen a few of the second/third generation Doom Patrol characters so far, including Karma and  Scorch. We've even seen glimpses of Celsius and Negative Woman. I'm looking forward to what Reis and Prado have in store for the rest of the DP this June.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Justice League of Bloggers - Steve Garcia Crossover

No, friends, it is not the work of the Shadow Thief, but rather the artwork of a fella named Steve Garcia. Everyone's favorite Firestorm Fan, Shag, happened across some art from this guy and decided to share. Of course, the way he decided to share was, "Hey! Everybody! Let's do a crossover with this awesome art!"

So what do the Justice League of Bloggers do? We cross over. More on that in a bit. First let's take a look at some of Mr. Garcia's stuff. While his Doom Patrol selection could use a little sprucing up, it is not completely absent. Sure, purists could complain of the lack of Rita, Larry, or Cliff, but then they'd be missing out on this piece:


With each silhouette, Garcia drops in a relevant gradient and a buzzword. In this case, Garfield Logan is associated to the word "Adapt." Appropriate, since Gar did adapt to the Red in the New 52.

Pre-New 52 gives us another member of the Doom Patrol. Sort of. Clearly Garcia had fun with this one.
And who wouldn't? "Nutcase." What more needs to be said? 
While Ambush Bug is making appearances in the back matter of the current lineup of DC Comics as part of the Channel 52 filler, it's his appearances with and at odds with the Doom Patrol that earn him a spot here. Well, that and his team-up with Cheeks, the Toy Wonder. 

Which leads us to the not-quite-so-Doom Patrollers. Following Crisis on Infinite Earths, Paul Kupperberg made a valiant effort to dovetail his iteration of the Doom Patrol with Power Girl. She teamed up with the DP for an issue, part of which turned sideways and certainly deserves some time here soon. 

I'm not so sure "personality" is the best fit for Karen Starr, but I suppose it works. 

After the Kupperberg-Morrison-Pollack Doom Patrol cooled off a bit, DC tried to bring the DP back from Vertigo into the DC Universe proper. Leading the charge on that was writer John Arcudi, who introduced a full flight of new kids to the Doom Patrol. Through the course of the series, the Doom Patrol brand and affiliated characters bounced around a bit, including a lineup that boasted a team of Beast Boy, Kimiyo Hoshi Doctor Light, Elongated Man and Metamorpho. 

Here's Ralph: 


Very perceptive! This one is quite fun and actually makes me a bit nostalgic for old Ralph Dibny! Maybe he'll show up in the New 52 soon, and while I'm being hopeful, maybe DC will actually do right by the character this time out. 

"Change" hits the nail on the head for Rex Mason's heroic identity. 

In my brain, there is no better spot for Rex than on the Doom Patrol. His appearances in the Arcudi series, in John Byrne's series and even in the Brave and the Bold written by Mark Waid with art by George Pérez illustrate that Rex simply fits in with the team. Who knows, since we haven't seen Rex or a newer incarnation of the DP, maybe the two will converge in the New 52 soon. 

The final piece I'm going to include here is Deadman. 
As I mentioned a little bit ago, Deadman and Doom Patrol both spring from the mind of Arnold Drake, so where better to celebrate Boston Brand? "Life" fits the bill as Deadman truly began living after he was already dead. 

Garcia also made a Brightest Day influenced Deadman image, but this traditional take on Deadman is a little more slick in my opinion. 

Wow. For not having any Doom Patrollers per sé, Garcia's work sure has a nice connection to the Doom Patrol. Who would you like to see him tackle from the DP? Negative Man seems like a given. Robotman of course. Crazy Jane could be fun. Sound off in the comments and let me know who you'd like to see. Maybe after he gets all the traffic from this crossover, Steve Garcia might do some more art. Here's some links to his stuff on the this here internet: 

Oh! Speaking of the crossover, check out my comrades in blogging and their pieces on Garcia's work: 
Plastic Man
My other blogs:
Cyborg
Red Tornado


Then there are some previously posted pieces of Mr. Garcia's featuring the following:

Check them all out. Come back and let me know what you think. Or maybe sound off on the new blogs after clicking through. Enjoy!





Saturday, March 1, 2014

Arnold Drake Day!

March 1, 1924, the world got a little bit more creative, but no one quite realized exactly how much more at the time. Why? Arnold Drake was born.

Arnold Drake, co-creator of Stanley and His Monster with Win Mortimer, Deadman with Carmine Infantino, Guardians of the Galaxy with Gene Colan and our very own Doom Patrol with Bruno Premiani.

I lifted this photo from CBR, but found another one on the internet that has a much more clear shot of the image on his shirt. Attributed to Edward Liu, the image shows Drake's shirt from the front. On it is an image of Boston Brand in his Deadman get up. Below that bust is the caption, "I'm Deadman's Daddy."

Without Drake, there would be no Doom Patrol, no Deadman and no Guardians of the Galaxy*. The latter two have experienced differing results from Hollywood dalliances, while DP and Deadman have found glorious opportunity in animation. Regardless of their success to translate to other media, there is no denying many of these characters have captured the attentions, imaginations and hearts of fans everywhere. For that, Mr. Drake, I say THANK YOU!

*The Guardians of the Galaxy that Mr. Drake co-created DOES NOT include Rocket Raccoon, Groot, Star-Lord, Drax, and Gamora. Drake crafted the original roster of Charlie-27, Vance Astro, Martinex, and Yondu.
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