Showcase #94
Published and © by DC, August-September 1977
Title: “The Doom Patrol Lives Forever!”
Synopsis: A revamped Robotman teams with a new generation of heroes as old foe General Immortus attacks.
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Artist: Joe Staton
Review: The Doom Patrol and X-Men have shared DNA since their debuts two months apart back in 1963. So, in the wake of the X-Men’s successful “all-new, all-different” relaunch, it’s little surprise to see DC’s team of misfits getting a similar overhaul. Robotman plays the role of Cyclops, the returning veteran from the original team. He’s joined by a multiethnic cast of new characters, à la Marvel’s mutant series. Paul Kupperberg’s story isn’t top shelf but there’s certainly potential here. Joe Staton’s cartoony style was a better fit on a fun book like E-Man (see reviews) but is still serviceable. Promising.
Grade: B
Second opinion: “All swipes of existing characters.” – Robin A. Webster, Bemusing Magazine #15, September 1977 … “Did Paul Kupperberg and Joe Staton have to continue DP’s parallel with the X-Men?” – Martin Lock, Comics Unlimited #46, August 1977 … “Of quite a high standard.” – Alan Brightmore, Comics Unlimited #51, October-November 1979 … “New, revived but disappointing.” – Hassan Yusuf, FantaCo’s Chronicle’s Series Annual #1, 1983
Cool factor: Always on board for some Doom Patrol.
Notable: First appearance of the new Doom Patrol.
Collector’s note: According to MyComicShop.com, there is a Mark Jewelers variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “What makes you think you amateurs can make it as the Doom Patrol?” – Robotman, always keen to make new friends
A word from the editor: “We need Showcase as a stimulus for new ideas, new revivals, even new kinds of comics. As long as there’s a Showcase, we’ll have to keep thinking of new ways to grab your imagination, and that’s what it’s all about.” – Paul Levitz, on the revival of Showcase after a seven-year break, in the “Critic’s Corner” column in this issue
Editor’s note: This review was written March 12, 2026.
