Taking the "Hero" out of "Superhero"

Not much surprises me these days. Especially in regards to superhero-related entertainment in movies and television.

I grew up reading comic books and watching the movies they inspired. Whether they were on wonderfully coloured pages or the big screen, I was in awe with these characters, these superheroes, that were larger than life. Eventually, the superhero genre took over the box office and television screens everywhere. Perhaps it was the burnout of seeing superhero-related content seemingly everywhere, or the predictability of what each movie/show would entail, but they stopped surprising me.

Enter Doom Patrol, the 2019 comedy-drama superhero show that originally aired on the DC Universe streaming service. Without spoiling too much, this show absolutely blew my mind when I first watched it. I hadn’t read the comics that inspired the show, so I went in blind feeling nothing more than a general curiosity surrounding its grandiose title.

By the end of the first episode, the hooks of this show sinked so deep into me that I felt like I was living at Doom Manor with this ragtag group of misfits and outcasts. By the end of the first season, my grip on reality was shaken from the sheer insanity that this show put me through. And I loved every second of it. If you’ve seen the show, then you probably love it as much as I do. If you’ve yet to see the show, then you’re in for a treat when you do. Just keep in mind that this show holds back no punches and has absolutely zero filter when it comes to the violence and language. In other words, maybe don’t let the kids watch this one?

What makes Doom Patrol the special spectacle that it is, is its heart. For a show whose cast includes a robot, a blob, a walking radiation hazard, along with several other unique and strange characters, there is a strong presence of humanity and vulnerability that is rarely explored in a genre of such fantasy. The characters, elevated by the cast's fantastic acting, bring you with them through their crazy adventures, exploring the limits of imagination and human emotion.

So what else do you watch if you like/love Doom Patrol?

Enter, The Boys, streaming on Amazon Prime. I watched this show after its provocative (for lack of a better word) trailer piqued my interest:

Tell me you weren't hooked within the first 20 seconds. If I was you, I would stop reading this right now and watch both seasons currently available. If you've ever wanted to see the superhero genre flipped upside down, this is the show for you. If you love superheroes, this show is for you. If you hate superheroes, this show is for you. If you exist... you get the point. Since you probably like Doom Patrol, I think it’s safe to assume that you’re okay with a little bit of excessive violence and swearing. Again, maybe don’t let the kids watch this one.

Set in a world where superheroes are worshipped, the show aims to answer the question, “what if superheroes were actually just horrible people with powers being used as puppets by a soulless corporation?” The answer, bluntly put, is that it would suck. We follow Hughie, the most “normal” person in the entire show, as he gets himself involved with people he shares only one thing in common with, a hatred for superheroes. This dysfunctional group of humans are almost always in over their heads as they stumble from one comically horrible situation to the next. Another thing to keep in mind is that the human characters aren't always saints either. In other words, there aren't any clear "heroes" here.

As the show progresses, we see a side to these superheroes that we’ve rarely seen in movies and television. These superheroes have no sympathy for humanity, and the ones that sincerely care about doing the right thing are ridiculed and mistreated. It’s a deconstruction of the superhero genre, done in a way that makes you, the viewer, feel just as vulnerable as if you were physically in the presence of these beings.

The cast is absolutely fantastic in their roles, each bringing their characters to life, almost to a terrifying degree. This show has something to say, and it says it in a way that is captivating and attention-grabbing.

All in all, if you ever find yourself wondering what to watch, give The Boys a shot. If you’ve yet to see Doom Patrol as well, then all I can say is, “what the fuck are you doing?”