The pay-for-it DC Universe introduced its new, live-action series, "Doom Patrol" via a pilot planted within "Titans": the latter a series I praised until its finale, which left me mighty miffed. (My fingers are crossed that what transpired was, in truth, a sadistic trick, to be revealed and remedied at Season 2's start.)
With that said, I did enjoy the "Doom Patrol" pilot and believe that its eleven-episode expansion could become DC's small-screen answer to Marvel's "X-Men", another excellent example of '60s, misfit fusion.
"Doom Patrol'"s current cast features Timothy Dalton as the Chief (replacing Bruno Bichir); Brendan Fraser emoting Robotman (replacing Jake Michaels), with Riley Shanahan occupying the armor; Matt Bomer voicing Negative Man, with Dwain Murphy (allegedly) still under wraps; Joivan Wade as Cyborg; Diane Guerrero as Crazy Jane; and the amazing April Bowlby as Elasti-Woman. For the record, Alan "Powerless" Tyduk animates Mr. Nobody, a living shadow cut from the more-or-less Lamont Cranston cloth, only inclined to screw with minds for the sheer fun of it. (Devan Chandler Long will eventually join the cast as magical muscleman, Flex Mentallo: quite an underrated/underused character in the DC universe.)
I like eccentrics with hearts of gold (I fancy myself one). I also like folks who work against the odds, whether they harbor special abilities or not. I'm presuming the live-action Doom Patrol could become an inspiration to dynamic underdogs everywhere.
Like "Titans", the team's success rides on whether its characters stick to their roots. If they perform contrary to expectations (as shown in "Titan'"s initial season adieu), a righteous backlash could strike.
"Doom Patrol" begins Feb 15, with an episode premiering per week.
