The following contains major spoilers for Unstoppable Doom Patrol #3 from DC Comics.
A Starro spore merges with a human and ultimately becomes Cliff Steele and Larry Trainor's new ally in DC's Unstoppable Doom Patrol #3.
Unstoppable Doom Patrol #3 comes from writer Dennis Culver, artist Chris Burnham, colorist Brian Reber and letterer Pat Brosseau. At the start of the issue, Green Lanterns Guy Gardner and Kyle Rayner are tracking down Cliff Steele and Larry Trainor after receiving word they were working with one of the most dangerous villains in the entire galaxy, Starro the Conqueror. The issue reveals, however, that the two Doom Patrol members are actually transporting a human, Mason, who merged with a Starro spore to become Starbro, who is far less hateful than the notorious Justice League villain.
Starbro tells Larry and Cliff of their origin, "Even before Stockton was overrun I never felt like I belonged. So when the spore took me I didn't consider it to be a great loss. According to you, my metagene activated to protect me, but there was no longer that me. No longer Starro either. The two of us became someone new. Someone that is finally happy in their own skin."
Why the Green Lanterns Want to Apprehend Starbro
Starbro continues to explain how the Green Lanterns have a long, detailed history of fighting Starro, which is why they came to the Doom Patrol instead. "[The Green Lanterns] know from experience that Starro always finds a way back. So I know they wouldn't understand what I am now. The merge gave me some of the same abilities as Starro too, though, and with those powers I found the mind of your teammate Mento. I found all of you. And hopefully...people who would understand."
Cliff, Starbro, Larry, Guy and Kyle all have an intense stand-off. Starbro attempts to convince the Green Lanterns they're something completely different from Starro; however, Guy and Kyle insist the matter is above their pay grade and say they need to bring Starbro to the Guardians of OA (Unstoppable Doom Patrol #3 is set before the events of the new Green Lantern series). The conflict resolves itself only after Starbro uses their powers to make the Green Lanterns believe a serious conflict is occurring on OA that requires their immediate attention.
Unstoppable Doom Patrol #3 features cover art by Burnham and Weber and variant cover art by Mikel Janín, Culver and Alan Quah. The issue is on sale now from DC.
Source: DC