The first five issues of Unstoppable Doom Patrol have all been leading up to this two-part finale. It does a great job of paying off moments from the entire run as well as the Lazarus Planet: Dark Fate one shot. The mission of saving the monsters to save the world has been evolving throughout the series, and the new recruits are put through their paces in this issue.
Credit: DC Comics
The action of the comic unfolds in three acts. The first act introduces a low-stakes training exercise in the Shelter between the Doom Patrol and Flex Force, establishing the characters and their dynamics. Flex Force includes Starbro, Squonk, Roxy Centaur, Psylo-Simon and Animal-Vegetable-Mineral Girl, or A.V.M. for short. The second act takes an unexpected turn when General Immortus’s army invades, throwing the story into turmoil. The new recruits are thrown into the fray against the likes of The Quiz, Doctor Inside Out, Warp, Lady Tiger Fist and Plasmus. Just when things are looking dire, Kipling arrives through a magic portal with Lotion the Cat and Lucius Reynolds shifting the focus of the third act to a more significant threat. Kipling, Niles and Cliff quickly portal over to the graveyard to find General Immortus, Mallah and Houngan performing some kind of ritual with Dorothy’s corpse. The three act structure provides a clear progression and keeps readers invested in the story.
Credit: DC Comics
Pacing is one of the comic’s strong suits. The transition from the relatively lighthearted training exercise to the sudden invasion of General Immortus’s forces creates a sense of urgency and tension. The pacing keeps readers engaged, and the action sequences are well-choreographed, delivering a dynamic and immersive experience.
The plot, while chaotic, remains engaging throughout. It successfully blends elements of superhero action, mystery, and a touch of the bizarre—a hallmark of Unstoppable Doom Patrol. While it may seem disjointed at times due to the abundance of characters and events, this chaos is a deliberate choice made by writer Dennis Culver to capture the essence of the Doom Patrol’s world, where the unexpected is the norm. The coherence lies in the underlying thread of mystery and the gradual unraveling of secrets surrounding characters. Among all the chaos, Culver still manages to interject important character moments, like Rita comforting the Chief when she’s hit with a bout of imposter syndrome from The Quiz.
The issue offers some character development, particularly for the new recruits of Flex Force, though limited due to the fast-paced nature of the story. Readers get a sense of their personalities and powers, setting the stage for potential growth in the series finale.
Credit: DC Comics
The artwork by Chris Burnham and colors by Brian Reber are absolutely outstanding, and some of the best of the series. The sheer number of wacky characters and powers on display is mind boggling. From an anthropomorphic elephant, to tigers with lasers for heads and a woman with tiger heads for fists, each page turn and new panel is truly a delight.
Unstoppable Doom Patrol #6 delivers an exhilarating and eccentric addition to the series, showcasing a masterful blend of chaos, mystery, and unexpected twists. With its well-structured plot, engaging pacing, and unique storytelling techniques, this comic keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. While the character development is somewhat limited due to the breakneck speed of the story, the issue leaves us tantalized by the promise of deeper revelations in the series finale next month.
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