After a short hiatus in issue #4 to explore the Doom Patrol’s backgrounds and origins, Unstoppable Doom Patrol #5 brings us right back into the thick of it. The team has split into two groups in order to take down a Metagen facility. Robotman, Elastigirl, Negative Man and Beast Girl create a distraction on the surface of the unsuspecting town, while The Chief, Niles, Degenerate and Velvet infiltrate the bowels of the facility. The issue is filled with action while also taking a deeper look into Niles Caulder’s past mistakes and regrets.
SPOILERS AHEAD for Unstoppable Doom Patrol #5!
Credit: DC Comics
The issue significantly delves into the past mistakes of Niles Caulder and his Catastrophe theory. It’s the inspiration for Metagen’s research, taking advantage of the large amount of newly created metahumans due to the Lazarus Rains. It sure is refreshing that at least one DC series is acting like the Lazarus Planet event had a lasting impact on the DC Universe.
Brian McClane, the CEO billionaire of Metagen, goes on and on about how brilliant Niles’ ideas were, even to the point of offering Dr. Caulder a job. McClane has taken these ideas to dangerous new levels, i.e. using nanotechnology to alter the genes of humans to give them adaptable super powers. The first prototype of his new project, Metawoman, is ready for field testing and their first mission is a fight with the Doom Patrol. Niles is flabbergasted at McClane’s job offer and tries to convince him that his theories on Catastrophe and the effects on humans were totally misguided and categorically incorrect. It isn’t the disasters that shape people, it’s the processing of those disasters that ultimately change us and make us into who we are. And perhaps most importantly, this processing often can’t be done alone.
Credit: DC Comics
As Niles predicted, things go horribly wrong with Metawoman just as the U.S. Military, led by Peacemaker, arrives on the scene. The Doom Patrol makes their escape, living to fight another day. We also get a quick update on General Immortus and Monsieur Mallah. They have assembled an army and intend to use it to destroy the Doom Patrol. With only two issues left in this series, it’s safe to assume that they’ll be playing a larger role in the upcoming books.
Culver’s adept storytelling weaves Niles’ past into the present mission seamlessly, enriching the plot and character dynamics. Rather than just summarizing past misdeeds, Culver makes them relevant to the Doom Patrol’s current mission and Metagen’s money making scheme. The fundamental misunderstanding of Caulder’s research and past missteps leads to the downfall of McClane and the success of the Doom Patrol.
Burnham makes a triumphant return to art on this issue. The disgusting transformation of Metawoman is particularly well done and perfectly captures the weird, wacky, and sometimes gross art direction. The intricate detail included in some of the panels, such as Immortus’ laser contraption and the bits and pieces of robots exploding in all directions reminded me a bit of Geof Darrow’s work. The colors by Brian Reber are bright and full of contrast. The juxtaposition of the bright blue sky of the small town and the dark, dreary underground accentuates the different roles being played by the members of the Doom Patrol.
Unstoppable Doom Patrol #5 combines action, character development, and a strong narrative thread. The misinterpretation of Caulder’s research and past errors drives the story’s climax, leading to Metagen’s downfall and the Doom Patrol’s triumph. The clash between Metawoman and the Doom Patrol exemplifies the divergence between Niles’ intentions and McClane’s actions. The creative team’s skillful execution ensures that this installment stands out as a pivotal moment in the series.
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