Warning: contains spoilers for Unstoppable Doom Patrol #5!The Doom Patrol are known as the World's Strangest Heroes, but it seems they also have the world's grossest rivals. In the most recent issue of Unstoppable Doom Patrol, DC introduces Metawoman - a superhero with theoretically infinite powers... that almost immediately destroy her from the inside out.
Dennis Culver, Chris Burnham, Brian Reber, and Pat Brosseau's Unstoppable Doom Patrol #5 sees the team face off against Brian McClane, the CEO of the Metagen Corporation. A fan of Niles Caulder, McClane has been taking his work on triggering metagenes via intense trauma to the next level. Having captured Caulder, he reveals Metawoman - a 'designer metahuman' whose genetic code is rapidly altered by nanotech, so she always has the right powers to confront any given threat. Unfortunately, when she attacks the Doom Patrol, their weird and wild abilities are just too much to handle at once, leading her body to erupt into a gigantic, blob-like monster spewing pus, lightning, and fractal limbs.
Metawoman Goes from Superman to the Blob
In DC lore, the metagene is latent genetic code which exists in some humans and can awaken superpowers when put under enough stress (this is the canon reason Earth has so many superhumans compared to others planets.) Niles Caulder has made the study of the metagene his life's work, to the point where he subjected a string of innocent people to terrible 'accidents' just to study how their powers would manifest. While he's sought redemption since, it seems that Caulder's work has inspired pretenders, especially since the recent Lazarus Rains have drastically increased the number of people with active metagenes. Even as the Doom Patrol have made saving metahumans in distress their mission, Brian McClane has begun exploiting them by stealing genetic samples in order to create beings like Metawoman.
Niles Caulder's Work Is Being Taken to the Next Level
While Metawoman's transformation allows the Doom Patrol to escape, it's far from the end of McClane's plans. It's revealed by the issue's end that his project was sponsored by the U.S. Military, who seem to be taking their orders from Amanda Waller (via her deputy, Peacemaker.) Waller is currently unfurling a plan to kill all superheroes - taking place across most of DC's titles - and it seems McClane is working hard to give her a personal metahuman army to do it. Even Metawoman - now a gigantic monstrosity - ends the issue alive, and could end up either an ally or opponent of the Doom Patrol as they oppose the Metagen Corporation's agenda.
Doom Patrol Are Saving Metahumans from Exploitation
Unstoppable Doom Patrol is one of DC's best ongoing series, engaging with the idea of saving the unique and bizarre from those who would harm or take advantage of them. Metawoman represents an early attempt to build an untouchable, Superman-style hero out of vulnerable metahumans, and while the experiment goes badly wrong for everyone involved, fans can be certain it won't be the last.
Unstoppable Doom Patrol #5 is available now from DC Comics.
