The adventures of an idealistic mad scientist and his field team of superpowered outcasts.
I’ve got exciting news for those who think that “Deadpool” is the most brutal, meta, weird and straight-up hilarious adaptation of a graphic novel yet. DC Universe’s series “Doom Patrol,” developed by Jeremy Carver, manages to top “Deadpool” on every conceivable level. It’s twice as violent, self-referential, quippy and engaging than the beloved Marvel franchise. Granted, its format — 15 one-hour episodes — certainly allows the show more freedom to develop the characters and plot threads. Yet its tongue-in-cheek assuredness is established pretty much from the get-go: the series’ bonkers, supremely entertaining pilot is one for the books. DC fans will be delighted… if they can stomach all the gore, that is.
The CW this is not. “Doom Patrol”’s subversive, mind-fuck nature can be credited to its source material: the ingenious, 1,200-page graphic novel, created by one the literary masters of the uncanny, Grant Morrison (see his other show on Netflix, the even-crazier “Happy!”). There are moments — such as when a gelatinous amalgamation of a dinosaur, a plant, and a human being emerge out of a giant cylinder — where it’s hard to believe all this takes place in the same universe as the comparatively tame Justice League. Thankfully, there are constant reminders, mostly courtesy of Cyborg (Joivan Wade), whom we discover half a decade before he joins the, um, big leagues.
Right, the synopsis… In fear of spoiling major surprises, Easter eggs, and crucial plot points, I’ll be as succinct as possible. A small group of super-powered outcasts (think anti-X-Men) live in a mansion, looked after by an “idealistic mad scientist,” Niles Caulder (Timothy Dalton), a.k.a. Chief (akin to a certain Professor, he’s subjected to a wheelchair). Among them is Cliff Steele (Brendan Fraser), who, after a terrible car accident, was “reinvented” as Robotman by Chief. Larry Trainor (Matt Bomer) used to be a closeted homosexual pilot, until an extraterrestrial force invaded him, almost frying him to a crisp in the process; he now wears bandages, resembling The Invisible Man. Then there’s 1950s actress Rita Farr (April Bowlby) who abruptly turns into a blob, a.k.a. Elasti-Girl; and Karen (Diane Guerrero), a.k.a. Crazy Jane, a.k.a. Driver 8, who possesses 64 personalities and, consequently, 64 superpowers.
They face off against an omnipresent villain, Mr. Nobody (Alan Tudyk, who’s also the show’s rather-unreliable narrator). He used to be a human being known as Eric Morden, prior to being split apart into atoms that penetrate the fourth wall; Mr. Nobody cheekily addresses us, the audience, at every twist and turn. A donkey acts as a portal into the villain’s parallel dimension (just run with it), which has the capacity to swallow up entire American towns. At one point, Chief inquires whom Mr. Nobody is addressing — Tudyk’s sardonic reply, which references DC fans and the “few who remained” after the farting donkey scene, is one of the best lines in the entire show.
Yes, “Doom Patrol” is completely berserk — but it never strays too far into nut-ball territory to lose our investment. The characters’ dilemmas, their sad backgrounds, may echo our own regrets. Brendan Fraser, delegated to basically doing a voice-over for a piece of rock, fares remarkably well, imbuing his character with genuine pathos and brilliantly-timed humor. Bowlby is fantastic as a glamorous actress with the most horrific of afflictions a glamorous actress could have. The tattooed Guerrero fares a little worse, but she is given the near-impossible task of conveying a distinct personality that consists of 64 personalities. Matt Bomer, hidden under layers of bandages, provides a subtle performance; his background is about as “socio-politically relevant” as “Doom Patrol” gets.
And that’s part of what makes the show so refreshing. It never attempts to bludgeon us with messages. I loved the somewhat-similar “The Boys,” yet its relevant themes grew a little tiresome (and questionable) at times. “Doom Patrol” is pure, unadulterated fun, and all the better for it. Curse words uttered by Karen turn into physical blades. A character bludgeons another with an intestine-covered lower part of a body. If the aforementioned two sentences makes your skin crawl with excitement, then delve right into “Doom Patrol.”
Available on Blu-ray (plus Digital) & DVD October 1st from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
