Doom Patrol #114 (1967)
by Arnold Drake & Bruno Premiani
cover by Bob Brown
The Doom Patrol can’t get enough giant monsters on its covers.
Speaking of which, we begin with a giant caveman showing up.
Since he’s holding a weapon invented by a professor they’re supposed to be visiting, they immediately attack him.
And he’s brought company from the past.
As you might have guessed, the caveman IS the professor…
…who then uses the weapon to WRECK THE CITY.
So what the heck is happening?
Apparently the professor is an old friend of Chief… I’m assuming he’s Russian given the period… and he refused Chief’s help.
Long story short, he created a time portal to the time when cavemen and dinosaurs lived together.
Wait, what?
Somewhere a paleontologist is crying.
So the guy created a time machine. Nothing too weird about that for the Silver Age…
…but what’s up with the raygun, considering he didn’t even bring it with him???
Robotman’s surprising streak of issues where he didn’t get damaged comes to an end, but at least he breaks the gun.
The caveman then goes back through the portal. Which I guess was left open this entire time?
But he’s stopped by the mammoth (why???), and eventually cured by Chief.
Well… that was entirely pointless.
The backup feature will be reviewed separately.
Historical significance: 0/10
Silver Age-ness: 10/10
Dinosaurs! Casual time travel! Nothing making any sense!
Does it stand the test of time? 1/10
There’s some cool action thanks to Premiani, but this is one the most uninspired Doom Patrol stories I have ever read. What was Arnold Drake thinking with this one???
Times Robotman has been damaged: 21
Issues when Robotman is never damaged: 19
Interesting letters: a reminder that a married woman keeping her career was still groundbreaking, plus a cute image of domestic life (I assume by Premiani).
The use of Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer in the review was brilliant and hilarious…