I honestly think Firestorm and Doom Patrol are in exactly the same ship. While it's not necessarily the same crowd who are throwing stones, they have exactly the same attitude. If changes are made that go against the versions of the characters they are familiar with, it's time to pull out the torches and pitchforks.
I don't think they are in the same metaphorical boat at all. DOOM PATROL has the same cast of characters as when they first appeared in the '60s. Knowing JB, he'll write them as close to, if not spot on, "on model" as he can. Sure, the team has new members and they're appearing for the very first time in the DCU, but that's
totally different than the new FIRESTORM book, where the powers are more important than the character. So instead of Ronnie Raymond and Professor Stein, we get a new kid on the block with Firestorm's powers. The only reason this one flies with less vocal criticism than Green Lantern/Hal/Kyle is that the latter has more fans.
I'm a fan of Crisscross, so the art doesn't bother me at all. I'll pick up the book in the store to see if I like it. But if you're as big a fan of Firestorm (Ronnie, Stein, powers et. al.) as James and myself are, then I don't think that it's so unusual to hear that we may not be picking up the book because we don't feel the character is going to be the same. I
know that won't be true of DP, hence not being in the same boat.
It's an unorthodox idea, I know, but it might help both books. And it will be a lot more fun than us writing desperate "save Doom Patrol" letters a couple years from now!
Why are you so sure we'll have to be writing "save Doom Patrol" letters in a couple of years? I have every faith that this series will be a hit for DC. Word of mouth from people on this board, fantastic writing and art, TPBs issued in a Vertigo fashion shortly after six issues or so (I hope DC is going in this vein)...I've been around comics for a long time and this one has the smell of success all over it. We shouldn't be lax, but I don't think we should prepare for the worst otherwise that's the image we'll project as we talk the project up and try to get new readers ("We don't want to write "Save DP" letters, so read the book won't you?" "What do you mean? Is it that bad that DC wants to cancel it?" "No, no, no, I'm just trying to stave that possibility off." "It's a possibility? I don't want to jump on board a book that's going to be canceled.")
Matt Reed
