DC is bringing theDoom Patrolto the small screen. DC Universe, the upcoming streaming service from DC and Warner Bros., has given the greenlight to producer Greg Berlanti’sDoom Patrolseries. The series is set to go into production this year for a debut sometime in 2019 on the streaming service. This is in addition toTitans, also produced by Berlanti forDC Universe, which will help launch the service. Warner Bros. has decided to skip any sort of pilot order and has givenDoom Patrola straight-to-series 13 episode order.
This move speaks volumes about Greg Berlanti’s reputation. WithDoom Patrol, he now has a record 14 shows in production. In addition to the shows for DC Universe, he also has theArrowverseon The CW, which consists ofArrow,The Flash,Supergirl,Legends of Tomorrowand their newest DC seriesBlack Lightning. The CW is also host to his showsRiverdaleand the upcomingAll American. Berlanti also hasBlindspotfor NBC, the upcomingGod Friended MeandThe Red Linefor CBS,Youfor lifetime and, last but not least,The Chilling Adventures of Sabrinafor Netflix. While the shows that have yet to premiere, likeDoom Patrol, can’t be certified as hits, the shows he does have on the air have all done very well. So it’s no surprise that Warner Bros. and DC want him in on their new streaming service in a big way.
Doom Patrolis a re-imagining of one of DC’s most beloved group of outcast Super Heroes: Robotman, Negative Man, Elasti-Girl and Crazy Jane, led by modern-day mad scientist Dr. Niles Caulder (The Chief). The Doom Patrol’s members each suffered horrible accidents that gave them superhuman abilities, but also left them scarred and disfigured. Traumatized and downtrodden, the team found purpose through The Chief, who brought them together to investigate the weirdest phenomena in existence, and to protect Earth from what they find. Part support group, partSuper Hero team, theDoom Patrolis a band of super-powered freaks who fight for a world that wants nothing to do with them.
Picking up after the events ofTitans,Doom Patrolwill find these reluctant heroes in a place they never expected to be, called to action by none other thanCyborg, who comes to them with a mission hard to refuse, but with a warning that is hard to ignore: their lives will never, ever be the same. It’s interesting that this series will not only exist in the same world asTitans, but will also be directly connected to it and will take place after the events of that show’s first season. It appears that DC is trusting in Greg Berlanti and his ability to work within a connected universe.
Doom Patrolfirst appeared in thepages of DC Comicsin 1963’sMy Greatest Adventure#80. Since then, they’ve gone through many iterations, with many viewing Grant Morrison’s run to be the defining era. Most recently, Gerard Way has been doing an ongoing series as part of his Young Animal imprint at DC. In addition to Greg Berlanti, the series is produced by Geoff Johns, Sarah Schechter and Jeremy Carver, who wrote the adaptation ofDoom Patrol. Warner Bros. andDChave yet to announce an exact premiere date, but we’ll be sure to keep you up to date as any new information is made available.
