DC Comics; $3.99 

Some comic book characters just stick with you, and for me, the Doom Patrol has always been one of them. I've never needed my superheroes to be particularly normal, and this bunch has never come close. That's probably why I've followed them for so many years. When I heard DC was giving them another shot, I immediately put this book at the top of my reading list. 

And I'm glad I did. 

Darcy Van Poelgeest takes these familiar characters in a direction that feels both amusing and a little depressing. Saving the planet apparently doesn't pay the bills, so our three unlikely adventurers have found themselves accepting whatever work comes their way. Their latest paycheck involves locating someone's lost pet, which turns into something considerably more complicated than anybody anticipated. 

One thing that caught my attention was how differently the characters handle their circumstances. Larry Trainor can't seem to shake the memory of better times. Rita Farr clearly believes they deserve more than their current arrangement, while Cliff Steele approaches everything with a weary sense of practicality. It's an entertaining combination of personalities that gives the book some emotional weight beneath all the craziness. 

I was particularly happy with the attention given to Larry. He doesn't always receive the recognition he deserves, so watching him become such an important part of this opening chapter was a pleasant surprise. I'm hoping the writers eventually give Rita and Cliff equally interesting opportunities. 

Then there's Niko Henrichon's illustration work, which is absolutely fantastic. His characters have personality, his environments are wonderfully imaginative, and the visual storytelling makes even the quieter moments interesting. There's a slightly unsettling quality to his illustrations that fits these characters beautifully. 

Another reason this comic means something to me is my appreciation for the television adaptation. I remember how excited I was when the characters first appeared on Titans before eventually receiving their own show. Seeing such an unusual corner of DC's universe brought to television was something special. 

And here's a little something for fellow fans of that adaptation. Roger Floyd, who played the sinister Red Jack, will be appearing at the Lake County Comic Convention on Sunday, November 22, 2026, at the Clermont Performing Arts Center in Clermont, Florida. If you enjoyed his wonderfully disturbing performance, here's your chance to meet the actor in person. 

As for this opening chapter, I'm extremely happy with what Van Poelgeest and Henrichon have delivered. It has personality, humor, heart, and just enough madness to remind me why these characters have remained favorites of mine for so long. Issue 2 is already on shelves, and I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next. 

–Scott Schlazer