Overview: Spun out of Titans, this DC Universe series adapted the adventures of the DCU’s perennial fan-favorite team of outcast superheroes.

Paraplegic genius Niles the Chief Caulder (Timothy Dalton) recruited individuals granted strange abilities by cruel fate-Robotman (voiced by Brendan Fraser), Negative Man (voiced by Matt Bomer), Elasti-Woman (April Bowlby), Crazy Jane (Diana Guerrero), and Cyborg (Joivan Wade)-and led them in defending a world that regards them as freaks.

Blu-ray Verdict: Well, thanks to those lovely people at SDS/Warner Bros. sending us this for review, I have now just finished the last episode of the series, and damn not only did Doom Patrol distance itself from the normal superhero fare with their insane style of storytelling, but they also gave us all one of the most heartfelt endings of any TV series I have ever seen. What a perfect ending.

For those unaware, this version of Doom Patrol (at least in the first two seasons) had stories which were heavily influenced by Grant Morrisson’s comic book version, a.k.a. one of my favorite comic runs ever! Knowing this beforehand I was kind of worried of how I would feel about the execution. However it was love at first sight from the off and the way they ended this series, well, wow, well played. Well played.

It is chock full of extremely good casting choices, as all the actors are just perfect in their roles. It’s as if they were taken from the comic book pages and remodeled within the identities of these wonderful actors. The effects are amazing. The stories are crazy fun, yet with a lot of character in them to make you care about this rag tag group of freaks.

Every episode feels well crafted and unique. Nothing ever feels like a filler episode. Doom Patrol has always been about what’s outside the norm, and the show adds to this element by showcasing the titular heroes as outcasts and marginalized people.

Of course, Brendan Fraser steals the show as Robotman. He’s a superhero who’s part man, part machine, and all snark. His one-liners will have you in stitches, and his backstory will break your heart. It’s like if Iron Man was a stand-up comedian. He’s the perfect anti-hero, with a heart of gold and a mouth like a sailor!

Timothy Dalton is also a standout as the eccentric Dr. Niles Caulder, the teams leader. He’s like if Willy Wonka decided to become a superhero. He’s the kind of guy who wears a top hat to a funeral and thinks it’s perfectly normal. You’ve got Crazy Jane, who’s got more personalities than the Queen’s Guard. Seriously, she’s like a one-woman Fringe Festival.

Then there’s Negative Man, who’s like a walking Chernobyl disaster. He’s got so much radiation in him, he makes the Hulk look like a nightlight. The rest of the cast is equally impressive, with each member bringing their own unique quirks and personalities to the table. It’s like a superhero version of the Island of Misfit Toys.

In short, Doom Patrol is not only one of the best superhero adaptions created for the small screen, but also among the better TV series’ overall. I can definitely recommend this fourth and final season, let alone the entire series run, of course.

Special Features:
Unsung Heroes (2:52) - Executive Producer Jeffrey Carver and most of the key cast members, all recorded separately, offer their thoughts about the main characters and some of their intricate costumes.

Transformation Patrol (2:43) - Several returning contributors speak about this fourth and final season’s arc about rapid aging and death, both how it changed the characters and required extensive makeup.

Off-Off-Broadway (3:52) - Another short interview-driven featurette, this piece focuses on the fourth-season musical episode Immortimas Patrol and the music and choreography rehearsal involved in its production.