Showcase #95
Published and © by DC, October-November 1977
Title: Untitled
Synopsis: In the clutches of General Immortus, the new Doom Patrol must work together to escape; also, the origin of Celsius.
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciler: Joe Staton
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Review: On the one hand, Paul Kupperberg’s fresh take on Doom Patrol is quite fun, as he updates the Silver Age franchise for a contemporary audience. The new characters are all interesting and demonstrate potential, though the origin of Celsius is high on creep factor. Her backstory begins as a near-death orphan, who Chief rescues, takes as a lover, then sends off to be raised by a religious sect until she’s old enough to be his bride. Eww. On the art side, Frank Chiaramonte’s rougher inks work surprisingly well over Joe Staton’s pencils. Chief’s reprehensible behavior aside, an above-average superhero book.
Grade: B
Second opinion: “Seventeen pages pass enjoyably enough, but do we need yet another supergroup book?” – Martin Lock, Bemusing Magazine #15, September 1977
Cool factor: The new Doom Patrol continue to get the new X-Men treatment.
Not-so-cool factor: Chief also creates an immortality serum to keep Celsius looking “young and beautiful forever!” Double eww.
Notable: “The Critic’s Corner” letters page page features biographies of Writer: Paul Kupperberg and Joe Staton.
Collector’s note: According to MyComicShop.com, there is a Mark Jewelers variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “I got a lot of questions for you, lady… like about the Chief!” – Robotman (Same here, Cliff. Same.)
Editor’s note: This review was written April 1, 2026.
