The following contains spoilers for Unstoppable Doom Patrol #2 from DC Comics.
Niles Calder expresses a desire to create two separate Doom Patrol teams, thus adopting an X-Men mentality to superheroing, in DC's Unstoppable Doom Patrol #2.
Unstoppable Doom Patrol #2 comes from writer Dennis Culver, artist Chris Burnham, colorist Brian Reber and letterer Pat Brosseau. In the issue, the Doom Patrol are showing off their headquarters to Worm, a new member of the team who has secret ties to Peacemaker and Task Force X. Crazy Jane (who is operating as the group's current leader under her new personality called 'the Chief') steps away at one point to speak with Niles Caulder, who presents a new idea to divide up the Doom Patrol.
Niles' plan essentially makes RobotMan/Cliffe Steele, Negative Man/Larry Trainer and Elasti-Woman/Rita Farr one team who operates under Jane's guidance, which he calls the Orange Team. The proposed White Team, meanwhile, would only have one member -- Niles -- who would be in charge of bureaucratic and rehabilitation activities, long-term goals and the vision for the team.
Jane very quickly sees Niles' proposal as a way to undermine her leadership and reminds him he's only allowed on Doom Patrol as a consultant for the time being. "You caused the 'accidents' that activated the metagenes of half this team, all in the name of your weird beliefs," she reminds him. "You're lucky to get a second chance at all. You're lucky that some of us have too big a heart."
Culver previously told CBR about Niles' role in Unstoppable Doom Patrol and the friction that develops between him and Jane throughout the series. " It's pretty different in that the Chief is [cooperating] with the Doom Patrol and a little less manipulative," he said." I think that's a good thing. There are still some conflicts there. The members that are used to Jane's personality and have warmed up to her are now dealing with this other identity who's a little more about business, [and] a little more gruff. Also, there are internal conflicts because Jane is used to being upstairs in the driver's seat, and now the Chief is there all the time."
The Green Lanterns Are Coming After DC's Doom Patrol
Solicitation information for Unstoppable Doom Patrol #3, which releases on May 23, 2023, reveals the titular team will have to face Green Lanterns Guy Gardner and Kyle Rayner. The synopsis reads, "The Green Lanterns are in hot pursuit of the World’s Strangest Superheroes! When a brand-new metahuman unwittingly becomes a galactic fugitive, Robotman and Negative Man embark on a cross-country road trip to save him! Cliff Steele may be the best driver in the DCU, but can he outrun its best GLs, Guy Gardner and Kyle Rayner?! Find out in the story we had to call 'The Fast and the Nebulous'!"
Unstoppable Doom Patrol #2 features cover art by Burnham and Reber and variant cover art by Alan Quah, Jorge Molina and Jeff Spokes. The issue is on sale now from DC.
Source: DC