Doom Patrol: Weight of the Worlds #6: A Frog Delivering Baguettes

Okay, so where do we begin with an issue like Doom Patrol: Weight of the Worlds #6?

This series from DC’s Young Animal imprint is certainly one of the zaniest books on the shelves today, but they aren’t typically one-note. Most of the Young Animal books, especially Doom Patrol, have been driven by pure unadulterated heart. However, this issue leans away from that core and into the wacky, whimsical chaos maybe just a touch too hard.

There is an inherent danger in approaching comics in the way that this creative team has done so far. These far-fetched concepts that are tied to fundamental human traits and expressions can work magnificently when pulled off successfully, but they can also sour very quickly if everything doesn’t line up. That isn’t to say that this is just a bad issue with no redeeming value, but it definitely leaves something to be desired when compared with the stronger previous issues.

Let’s start with the obvious choice here, which is the virus-baguette-delivering frog that is causing havoc for the planet we met in issue one, Orbius. The Justin’s Body-Movin’ Virtual Reality System is causing issues again and only the Doom Patrol can save them! So in comes the team to confront Wild Ass, the delivery frog in all their virtual glory.

Except, unfortunately, it’s not all that glorious.

The Doom Patrol stops the virus and at the end, we are left with a fun callback to the first issue and a character named Wild Ass that I would be fine with being lost to the pages of history.

There has to be some appreciation for the artistic abilities shown and the sheer willingness to tackle a comic in this manner. The digital style visuals are meant to capture the virtual reality aesthetics of a time long passed, but it’s incredibly off-putting for the characters and even their environment. More importantly, it clashes with the more traditional B-plot involving the eventual rise of Planet Cliff which came as a result of his continued upgrades in the Great Fixes. In this plot, we follow the series of “Fixes” he’s performed and the benefits it’s given him, setting up an exciting reunion when he eventually returns to the team.

With contrasting artwork and a rather flimsy plot, Doom Patrol: Weight of the Worlds #6 is just too disjointed to hold up alongside the rest of the series as a solid issue. While there are certainly moments that fans will appreciate, the transition over to the much more interesting story about Cliff’s return to Robotman and the upgrades he’s received since will be very welcome indeed.