Doom Patrol vol. 2: Nada

Way back when I reviewed the first volume of this series I said that we’d likely have to wait until vol. 2 to find out if it had more to offer than quality references (to Grant Morrison’s signature run), weirdness, and great art.  The answer to that is no, except it doesn’t turn out to be a real deal-break for enjoying this volume. Gerard Way’s “Doom Patrol” is still very much an experience than a coherent narrative, but it’s such a strange singular experience that I wound up enjoying myself in spite of this.

The story, such as it is, can basically be boiled down to the Doom Patrol having to deal with the appearance of a new wonder food additive known as $#!+ which turns out to be part of a plan to hijack reality by their old nemesis Mister Nobody.  Coincidentally, Nobody’s daughter Terry None is in a relationship with DP member Casey and things have become quite serious between the two. While this is going on, the removed-from-continuity character known as The Disappointment is using the extra-dimensional powers he has as head of Retconn to try and find his wife as played by actress and former Doom Patrol member Rita Farr.

It’s all kind of crazy and nonsensical, but the humor and irreverence Way invests in the material makes it more endearing than irritating, and Nick Derington’s art is a joy to behold as he makes all of this madness look like great fun on the page.   The main story of “Nada” is bookended by two one-offs, one of which is a fantasy D&D riff with gnarly art from Dan McDaid which furthers the story of the Reynolds family in an imaginative way. Better still is the opening story with expectedly awesome art from Mike Allred which shows former team leader Niles Caulder trying to regain that position and why it’s a very bad idea for all involved.  Though this incarnation of “Doom Patrol” was *ahem* doomed by frequent delays, “Nada” makes a good case for its brand of weirdness. To the point that I’m probably going to have to go pick up the “Milk Wars” crossover with the DCU just to get a little bit more of it.