Ranking each member of DC Universe’s Doom Patrol

Doom Patrol has been a massive success for DC Universe in the early phases of the streaming service and after a season that embraces the most quirky and entertainingly unique stories, we have a lot of love for the Doom Patrol.

The 15 episode first season of DC’s dark horse series has now officially wrapped, and unlike many current series it has provided plenty of worthwhile installments that have assisted the promise of a well-rounded team of lovable heroes with peculiar tendencies. While we did enjoy every character Doom Patrol had to offer, we decided to take on the task of ranking each member by the end of the first season.

Spoiler warning! Please note there are spoilers ahead if you are not caught up on the series! 

1. Elasti-Woman

Now even though she isn’t currently known by that name (we know her as Rita Farr) she is easily the series most complex and well-established character in the first season. Initially introduced as a vain, former movie star, Rita has experienced an accident that causes her to sometimes uncontrollably shift into a dense form that has on occasion causes destruction.

It’s not her abilities that make Rita such a strong character however, it’s her pseudo-mother role that she takes on for the Doom Patrol after Chief disappears. Rita undergoes her own personal struggles, both with her choices prior to the series, and forcing herself out of a comfort zone she had become so accustomed to.

Rita begins and ends the series as a remarkable character that far exceeds expectations, and her ability to aid each of her Doom Patrol comrades when experiencing inner-turmoil makes Elasti-Woman our absolute favorite addition. As if we need to throw in any more reasons to love Rita, April Bowlby portrays the nuances of the character in a remarkably classic method that will have you eager to see evolve.

2. Robotman

Coming in a close second place is former race car driver Cliff Steele, who was in an accident that took the life of his wife and destroyed every part of his body except for his brain. When Cliff awakens, he begins this journey with the viewers struggling to recapture average human sensations and it more often than not pushes his sanity to the brink.

Just vocally, Brendan Fraser fits the role with ease and brings enough emotion to his character to make his role a necessary addition, and when Fraser is on-screen he only proves even more that there is no other option for the role of Robotman.

Cliff has a daughter whom he spends most of his individual scenes trying to learn about, and ultimately provides a moment that’s artistically and creatively perfection. This particular scene (along with several others) are even a little tear jerking as well, something you don’t always expect from a sometimes comedically driven ensemble series.

Cliff forms more human bonds with the Doom Patrol than he has had in years, and begins to look after them like the chaotic but lovable family and somehow becomes the glue that keeps them intact.

3. Flex Mentallo

I know it seems semi-crazy to add a character who isn’t present as much as the others, however in the few scenes and or episodes he was a part of, Flex was a powerhouse inclusion (no pun intended.) His powers are vague at best with the bones of it being that he can flex different muscles to alter reality as we know it.

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Flex brings a lot of humor to Doom Patrol (such as the accidental R-rated moment he provided) and his outfit is enough to remind you that this series celebrates the outlandish superheroes who aren’t as prominent in the DC universe. With that being said, we see glimpses at the pain Flex Mentallo undergoes both past and present which is enough to push Flex up the list of unlikely heroes to our top three.

If Flex is given a more prominent role in future seasons, we can expect even more phenomenal character development and uncanny abilities.

4. Crazy Jane

Crazy Jane is probably one of the most powerful characters in Doom Patrol, having 64 personalities, each gifted with a unique ability of their own. Jane herself is the primary persona, but is forced to share the spotlight with the others at uncontrollable intervals which also makes her the most unpredictable member of the team.

Jane has suffered immense trauma as a child, which had been an attribute in hardening her core with personas to keep her innocent qualities sheltered from the world. There are several that appear in the first 15 episodes, but it’s Hammerhead who is a standout with her grittiness and strength that make her a frequent face that Jane shifts to.

Karen is another entertaining persona who alters her life into a romantic comedy, an instant source of comedic relief for all. Lastly, Dr. Harrison is the side that plays therapist to most of the others in the “underground” and even rivals Mr. Nobody in terms of wit and assessing others. Basically, with Jane you are likely to find at least one character that you will feel attached to by the end of season one.

5. Negative Man

Negative Man is another Doom Patrol character that is multi-faceted. Comprised of two beings, Negative Man’s primary role is as Larry Trainor, a pilot who was exposed to a radioactive field, merging him with an entity known as the Negative Spirit. The Negative Spirit doesn’t have the ability to speak and is made up of energy that keeps Trainor alive.

Trainor himself receives a good amount of character development in Doom Patrol, explaining the intricate relationship with his family and his sexuality. The series explores a few different pivotal moments for Trainor, and does give a fair share of the spotlight, but its Negative Spirit that is the MVP of this particular duo. For not having any real dialogue in Doom Patrol, it’s strictly his actions and messages to Larry that make this evolved, compassionate and unexplainable force worth investing in.

6. Cyborg

When Cyborg was announced as a member of the team, the initial shock was his absence from Titans and involvement in Doom Patrol. Being one of the more prominently known characters in DC (even having been used in Justice League) meant a lot of pressure for the character which Joivan Wade is clearly up for the challenge.

Cyborg is tied up in a lot of family baggage, giving him an introductory chapter that involves a guilt ridden young man coping with his tremendously unusual circumstances. In moments he’s the team leader they need and tries his best to rally the Doom Patrol, but his inner distress does create distance from himself from the main plot in more crucial moments. Cyborg is still a great contribution to the series as a whole, but hopefully season two will allow him to be more involved in the team’s dynamic.

7. Chief

Dr. Niles Caulder (better known as Chief) is one of the most important roles in Doom Patrol despite being absent for nearly the entire series. The DP creator is a doctor/scientist who as it turns out, has played a major role in the origins of each member hand has been known to put others at risk to test his theories. He was once a paternal character for the team, but as the series progresses they almost begin to find their own during his absence which felt necessary to the introductory chapter of the series.

Timothy Dalton plays the comic book character so well that he embodies Niles, but because of his departure, he felt like he was giving the others more time to shine in the new DC Universe epic series.

Doom Patrol is available on DC Universe, so check out the series and let us know your own ranking of the Doom Patrol members now that the first season has officially wrapped!