Doom Patrol: Weight of the World’s #2 // Review
After the first issue set out to reestablish and reintroduce the team to readers. This chapter follows up by going entirely off the rails. It's “matter-of-fact” brand of humor and off the wall imagery, is perfect for the modern age. Gerard Way, Jeremy Lambert and artist James Harvey truly come together as one for this splendidly insane chapter with the World's Strangest Superheroes, perfect for readers new and old. Although a heavily adult leaning title, this series and its full cast of characters can garner affinity in fans of all walks of life.
After the serendipitous ending of the previous chapter, Cliff Steele awakens this issue as Robotman once again with all new upgrades. As Negative Man explains to Cliff and the team about his new body, he also speaks of his own tribulations with his host body; Larry Trainor. After three unexplainable eggs emerge from Trainor's chest, they scatter across Dannyland, and the team sets out on their next adventure. One egg managed to very advantageously find its way to Lotion, the humanoid cat man and plays a significant role in the climax of this issue.
James Harvey continues to solidify himself within the Doom Patrol mythos absolutely. 'Harvey's panel designs and layouts alone are enough to leave readers speechless and staring at the detail behind each and every page. The sheer imagination and use of the medium is a breath of fresh air in the currently much less inspired comic book landscape. Sajan Rai continues to help with color duties as they work together to create a palette and aesthetic intrinsically tied with this series.
Gerard Way and Jeremy Lambert truly blend into one voice with this new chapter. Throwing out the decompressed trend of storytelling for a completely fleshed out and just overall fun issue. Acting almost as a mirror of sorts to the legendary Doom Patrol #19, Morrison and 'Case's first issue, with the rebirth of Robotoman after his fatal crash. The two take these outlandish ideas while having the team make them completely serious and with the utmost care.
After a long absence, this 'title's re-emergence proves to be nothing short of sheer stunning artistry on all fronts. Sharing the writing duties between Way and Lambert adds another level of insanity. It's perfect for the title, while James 'Harvey's eye for design sets this series apart from the typical book from the big two publishers.
