The Monitor Tapes for Tuesday, September 15, 2009
DOOM PATROL #2
Back on Oolong (the island, not the tea) Dusty debriefs president Veronica Cale (head of the mad scientists nation) on the mission in the previous issue. As Dusty explanesthat the project was only damaged, due to Amanda Beckett going all brundle-fly on DP’s asses and escaping. While Cale callously chastises Dusty for not and the DP for not killing her, Dusty retorts with the body count they just endured. Unfortunatly for her, Cale in not so many words establishes their moniker of “Doom Patrol” is their mission statement in not so many words, though she may as well call them “Suicide Squad” from what she expects.
And in the brief notation in Cale’s journal establishes “Chief” Niles caulder is still a bit of a dick. Though I’m sure this tidbit has more to do with a future development.
And that’s probably the most straight-laced part of the book, as DP’s briefed and thrust into negotiations with a black hole. Yes, a Black Hole! This is what comics are made for folks!
And we’re only three pages in.
As the bickering gets rolling, Cliff (AKA Robotman) questions the Chief’s authority as par usual, but not unwarranted as they’ve only had six hours downtime since the Bekkett fiasco. After crapping on the DCU team echelon starting with the Justice League and working his way down, in a pre-emptive manner as a matter of fact.
Over in Brandenburg, Germany (location of the Vulcan Supercollider and the sentient Black Hole) the doctor who called Niles for help converses with the strange anomaly. As the body of Project Director Karl Straus housing the black hole inquires as to why Dr. Waid Ackerman called Niles and the Doom Patrol rather than President Cale, he responds explaining that her abilities are rather limited in her position and capacity. Ackerman wholly unaware while his conversation continues, as his face twists away and becomes devoured by the Black Hole as it takes him over to gain a better understanding of him and his actions. As he leaves the office to stroll through the work area, the pull back reveals the project employees to all have the “extended benefits” of being a vessel for the Black Hole. Upon the entity requiring more info regarding “DP”, a quick search by the secretary/ Black Hole finds the “Omnipedia” entry rather lacking in general, not to mention the numerous “deleted” informational entries.
Back on Oolong, Rocky and Bumblebee (living in Rita’s room in a dollhouse, thanks to her accident in Infinite Crisis leaving her diminutive in stature) discus her failed marriage to Mal Duncan (AKA Vox, another “accident” survivor). With a quick change of subject pointing back to Rita, a quick scan by the Chief reveals that despite her protests, she’s not OK. Then again, would you after being exposed to mist that transforms you into an elastic giant, only to end up dying on a suicide mission and come back after being cloned from your skull, and to have it revealed that the accident that gave you powers was not accidental and was in fact your mad scientist leader behind it all?
As the DP lands (dropping from a helicopter) and encounters the Black Hole, the curious visitor eagerly greets them, quite surprised that their meeting does not include the usual slugfest hullabaloo so common to these meetings. While exchanging inquiries, as the Black Hole decides to “Take them to their leader”, the security detail cocks their guns and trains them on Larry, Cliff and Rita, as the being asks them to “Show me what you’ve got”. As Cliff Tossed Larry and Rita in the air to protect them from the seconds away barrage of bullets, the previously expected fight is on, merely for the Black Hole to study in brief.
I’m thoroughly impressed with Keith Giffen’s ability to pack story into the 20 pages within by adding in the running emails, journals, web pages and view-screens. While telling an ongoing story, he still manages to pack backstory and future hints in the issue making it more than worth the cover price. The remaining pages of the story really zoom back into that Doom Patrol territory that is the Doom Patrol through and through without being a retread. Giffen’s got DP and knows how the series and characters should progress, this is bar none the best DP book since the original and Morrison runs, a must for DP fans!
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