The Doom Patrol #1 (DC Comics, 9/2/26): Writer Darcy Van Poelgeest & artist Niko Henrichon find the Doom Patrol tackling missions big and very small when they go searching for a lost cat taken by “aliens.” The script maintains the same sense of quirky weirdness that makes Doom Patrol so special, even if it takes a while to get going. Verdict: A good but not great start.
Credits:
- Writer: Darcy Van Poelgeest
- Artist: Niko Henrichon
- Colorist: Niko Henrichon
- Letterer: Lucas Gattoni
- Cover Artist: Niko Henrichon (cover A)
- Publisher: DC Comics
- Release Date: September 2, 2026
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Page Count: 28
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of The Doom Patrol #1:
First Impressions:
The Doom Patrol is one of those teams that you either love and want more of, or one of those teams that look and act weird sitting in their corner off to the side. The Doom Patrol #1 isn’t quite in either space, but the potential is there.
Plot Analysis (SPOILERS):
The Doom Patrol #1 begins with Dr. Niles Caulder typing out a journal entry in his office. The entry portends a mysterious figure who visits him in the night, but the entry is written as though he’s recounting a recurring dream (or a time loop).
The issue cuts to the main heroes of the Doom Patrol – Rita, Cliff, and Larry – who’ve accepted a job to find an old woman’s missing cat. The old woman claims the cat was abducted by aliens, but the team soon finds the feline nearby and dead. Rather than break the old woman’s heart, the team decides to buy a similar cat from the pet shop and present it to her, figuring her near-complete blindness will mask the switch.
Larry decides to be the one to enter the old woman’s home to give her the “found” cat. While he sits with her, he asks if he can remove his bandages for a brief period, since she likely won’t be startled by his appearance and exposing himself fully to another human being is a rare event for him. She agrees. While Cliff and Rita wait outside, an organic spaceship piloted by an alien made of goo suddenly arrives and tractor beams up all the cats in the area, confirming the old woman’s story.
Rita and Cliff attack the ship, but the gooey alien is too slippery to fight. Larry says “goodbye” to the old woman, steps outside, unleashes Negative Man, and defeats the alien. But Negative Man is somehow changed by the experience. The issue ends with Dr. Caulder seeing the hooded figure, Evelyn, again and promising to help her.
How is the story in The Doom Patrol #1?
It’s The Doom Patrol. You should expect it to be weird. The real tell is whether it’s weird within the context of a well-written story or just weird. In this case, Darcy Van Poelgeest’s script is a mix of both. Van Poelgeest has the character voices down pretty well, the situations are out-of-the-blue strange in the right way, and the prologue/epilogue bookends set up a mildly intriguing mystery.
The rub is everything in the middle. Van Peolgeest’s pacing is certainly uneven, and the mission to save cats from aliens appears to be a contrivance to introduce the characters and what they can do. However, the story starts in such a way that it assumes the reader already knows who these characters are, why they’re together, and what they do. In effect, Van Peolgeest tries to make this first issue relatable for existing Doom Patrol fans and accessible for new readers at the same time, and the net result is clunky.
How is the art in The Doom Patrol #1?
Niko Henrichon’s scratchy, storybook-ish art style is a surpassingly charming fit for the team of misfits and their misadventures. You might see the word “storybook-ish” and think that’s a criticism. It’s not. Again, “weird” and Doom Patrol go hand in hand, so a storybook aesthetic gives the tale a flair of whimsy that suits the script to a tee.
Characters
Every member of the team gets a moment to showcase their respective personalities, but Larry carries the emotional weight of the issue during his chat with the mostly blind old woman. Every member of the team is burdened by their abilities, some more than others, but Larry carries one of the heaviest. His heartfelt chat with the old woman, and the emotional catharsis of being able to reveal himself to another human being, if only for a minute, is heartbreaking.
Originality & Concept Execution
It’s too early to tell how original the comic is or isn’t because the events that happen are either setup or mildly confusing. Dr. Caulder’s offer to help a mysterious woman is setup. Negative Man’s strange change is confusing. At best, you could say the issue isn’t predictable.
Pros and Cons
Art Samples:
The Scorecard:
Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 3/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 1/2
Final Thoughts:
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The Doom Patrol #1 reintroduces the world to the team as they work on solving the case of a missing cat, leading to an alien invasion. Darcy Van Poelgeest’s script gets the character voices and the overall sense of weirdness right, and Niko Henrichon’s storybook style is a surprisingly good fit. That said, new and old readers may have a tough time with uneven pacing and confusing bits.
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