Since 1963 the World's Strangest Heroes have been beating the odds. Brought together by the mysterious Chief, Negative Man, Elasti-Girl and Robotman were the Doom Patrol. The heroes created by Arnold Drake and Bruno Premiani not only risked their lives for the world, they've given them, voluntarily dying at the end of their original run to save a fishing hamlet.
This being comics, the trio eventually returned, but the spirit of sacrifice has always been there, through multiple runs and as many cancellations. 'Hard-luck heroes' is a phrase that could've been coined for the Doom Patrol - they've never seen the glory of the JLA, JSA or New Teen Titans, but they've kept plugging away in their various incarnations.
The most acclaimed, and possibly most creatively successful, saw Grant Morrison and Richard Case dial the weirdness up to 11, but every run has had something to offer, whether we're talking fascinating characters (a transvestite street, a fractious, friction-free kid, a girl with 64 personalities and as many powers, a living black hole with a love of lederhosen), memorable villains (Monsieur Mallah and the Brain, The Brotherhood of Dada, the Aristocrats) or talented creatives (everyone mentioned so far, John Arcudi, John Byrne, Paul Kupperberg, Tan Eng Haut, Erik Larsen, Steve Lightle). Not all Doom Patrol fans have loved every period but every period has had its fans.
The latest run, primarily by Keith Giffen, Matthew Clark and Ron Randall, has somehow seemed to please fans of every generation. The problem is, it hasn't been seen by enough readers who aren't already fans. DC Comics has been brilliant in backing the book despite its low circulation, and it's not really surprising that cancellation has been announced with #22 in May. C'est la vie, wot? Knowing the Patrol, they'll be back in a few years - there's always a new bunch of creatives itching to try their take on the team.
Perhaps you've tried the book and didn't like it, which is fair enough. No series is for everyone. But if you haven't, please sample the Doom Patrol - Giffen always gives enough in the way of recaps and introductions to make arrival at Oolong Island easy. I'm sure plenty of back issues are going cheap - and if you like what you see, let DC know by buying the next new issue, #20. And signing the petition. Maybe even send a short email to the DC letters pages.
I'm delighted that DC gave this run a decent length of time to find an audience, but no book can find a firm fanbase without constant promotion. More guest shots like the recent crossover with Secret Six would help. Better still would be a short promo strip in the back of all DC books for one month, as has happened lately for the likes of the Flashpoint event and War of the Green Lanterns - both guaranteed crowd-pleasers already. That seems to be a shame, and a waste of time - it's the smaller books that need help. I know Giffen, Clark and co could knock up a clever, entertaining introductory short over a weekend were DC to ask them.
House ads would help too. Creators could talk up the book at conventions. Maybe we could have a 99c issue ... I'm sure that if a lot more people tried the book, enough would stick around to keep it alive.
Interest from the customer base would give DC reason to keep the faith just a little longer and save the series - if Spider-Girl fans can do it, why not Doom Patrol devotees?
I'd say to DC, 'why wait a couple of years to relaunch the team, when you can keep this Doom Patrol going?' Join me?
DC Comics letters page
Doompedia
I signed the other day. This is a terrific comic!
ReplyDeleteHello, long-time reader, first-time commenter. I agree that "Doom Patrol" has been an amazing book month after month. Even the defunct Metal Men back-up was worth the extra dollar. At my comic shop, "Doom Patrol" sells out so fast the owner has requests for back-orders. And yet, at this same shop, the racks are clogged with three-month-old Batman titles that no one has bought. DC needs to realize that in this economy, people cannot afford 20 Batman titles anymore. I guarantee that by this time next year, there will be at least a dozen Green Lantern titles.
ReplyDeleteBut "Doom Patrol" is something special: A quirky, fun comic-book written by an industry legend, not bogged down with event tie-ins and crossovers. This is the kind of book that DC should be putting out month after month to attract new readers. Instead, they oversaturate the marketplace with so many Batman and Green Lantern titles that no one without a Ph.D in continuity can follow.
It is so frustrating that "Doom Patrol" is being cut to make way for yet another tiresome company-wide summer event.
Aaron
Nice one, Rob!
ReplyDeleteAaron, thanks so much for reading, and commenting. It's good to hear that folk at your comics shop are enjoying the book. I do think that given time, with regular house ads and promotions, the smaller books at DC could find enough of an audience to hang in there. Especially now the prices are all $2.99.
And I agree, the Metal Men stories were a delight and easily worth a dollar
I believe one of the things keeping Secret Six alive is the trade paperback sales ... if the DP cancellation decision hadn't been made I'd probably be linking to Amazon by now - the first Giffen/Clark trade, We Who Are About To Die, is pretty darn cheap ...
no, dont tell me DC is cancelling the book! I really enjoy it, its odd and quirky, has enjoyable slants to the usual type of stories. I really thought this version was going to last this time. I dont want yet another relaunch in a couple of years time or worse than that, for them to turn up as guest stars in other books.
ReplyDeleteI hope DC do a about turn on this decision.
Have you had a chance to send a quick email to DC, Karl? It may yet help!
ReplyDelete