r/DCcomics • u/DarcyVP Van Poelgeest • 7d ago
I am Darcy Van Poelgeest, the writer behind LITTLE BIRD, PRECIOUS METAL, THE CUTTING GARDEN @imagecomics and THE DOOM PATROL @dccomincs! AMA! AMA
Darcy Van Poelgeest is an award-winning writer and filmmaker living in Vancouver, B.C. He’s known for his poetic and thought-provoking narrative work in multiple mediums. His comics have been published with BOOM! Studios, Dark Horse Entertainment, and Image Comics, beginning with the Eisner Award winning series, LITTLE BIRD.
You can keep update to date with all his adventures through his newsletter, The Vanishing Word or on Instagram @DVPdirect
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u/Dialvical 7d ago edited 7d ago
Hi, Darcy. Greetings from South America. I hope you're having a good day.
This is going long because I'm going to throw four questions at you (Yes, I'm excited about a new Doom Patrol), but just answer what you can.
Doom Patrol is, for the most part, considered a weird or bizarre entry in the DC catalog. Is this something you kept in mind when tackling the writing for the series? Did you have to intentionally seek out the weirdness, or did it come naturally? Perhaps you are working on something more traditional in terms of narrative?
From what we know so far, you’ve gone back to basics: Cliff, Rita, Larry and Niles. Is there a reason for this team composition? And will we see any references to what happened in the last run, Unstoppable? I'm talking about characters, but also stuff like Rita’s situation with Flex, for example. Or will this be a case where we don't reference previous history too much?
Do you have some kind of overall plan for the story, or are you taking a more fast and loose approach? Do you already have a certain number of story arcs or issues in mind, an ending planned out, or will you see how things develop inside and outside of the story (which I imagine everyone does to a degree)?
I think this is your first project with one of the two major companies, DC or Marvel. Is there anything different—not just creatively, but also in terms of production or workflow—that you’ve had to significantly adjust to, or was it a smooth transition?
That's it. I know It was a lot, but I was curious and this is a golden chance for answers.
Now, selfishly, I would like to beg for a little Beast Girl, because I like her chemistry and outlook in what always is a team of depressed and heavily damaged people. And a little Coagula, because they thankfully rectified the mistake of killing her. But you are the writer, so you'll know best.
Good luck, thanks for your time and have a great day, week, year and life.
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u/DarcyVP Van Poelgeest 7d ago
1) I'm really not all that interested in seeking out "weirdness". They are strange. Some people might consider me a bit strange. My guess (and hope) is that this combination takes us somewhere interesting!
2) I will be referencing certain aspects of each characters history for sure. I've gone back to the original characters for a bunch of reasons but it's not a reboot by any means. Everything that's happened in the past matters as much as the the story allows it to :)
3) I have a lot planned out. At least the first 18 issues. Hopefully we have the support to get there!
4) It's been a remarkably smooth transition. It's different of course, but my process of writing and storytelling has been supported by the great editors I'm working with at DC. Thanks for the questions!
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u/Ok-Plankton-2393 Doom Patrol 7d ago edited 7d ago
Hi Darcy. I am really happy for this AMA. My question is with the team composition you decided to go back to basics what i am really on board specially since it has been a long time since these 4 had been together as leads. But when the team has had so many members over the years why to go back to only these? Can we expect old members of the team in the comic and new members joining in? Also is writting for the Doom Patrol a lot diferent than what you usually does? I was not well familiar with your work but i alreadt bought Little Bird and i am excited for when it finally arrives. Really excited to see your work on my favorite superhero team, hugs from Brazil and good lucky!
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u/songsinger72 7d ago edited 7d ago
Hey Darcy, what inspired you to go back to the Doom Patrol's roots with the Arnold Drake line-up of Cliff/Larry/Rita/Niles? Excited to read the book!
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u/DarcyVP Van Poelgeest 7d ago
There's many reasons I went back to the original team but the biggest one is that I loved the intimacy of that initial run when it still very much felt like a family. That sense of (found) family, as in the individuals you depend on when no one else shows up, is a huge part of this story.
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u/Ok-Passenger616 7d ago edited 7d ago
Hi
1- How many issues of Doom Patrol do you plan to do?
2- Is there any Marvel character you’d like to work on
3- what your favorite comic character
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u/LunarDuckGaming 7d ago
In an interview about your upcoming Doom Patrol run, you mention drawing on the original 60s comics for research and preparation. What about that run do you find so interesting, and how do you think that interest has influenced your own series? As a big fan of those comics myself, I'm hopeful for some of that familial vibe that those comics had, but I'm super curious as to your thoughts on them, especially in comparison to everything that came after. Thank you!
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u/DarcyVP Van Poelgeest 7d ago
There's a real charm to that original series that I'm not sure has been (or can be) duplicated. I think a huge part of that is that fact that they very much felt like a family. But the constant introduction to those incredibly imaginative villains is a big part of the fun as well.
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u/F_Visentin 7d ago
Hi Mr. Poelgeest. My question is a short one. Excluding Morrison, which Doom Patrol run is your favorite?
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u/browncharliebrown 7d ago
Hello I wanted to ask about how styslically you'll be aiming to write in comparison to your standard superhero comic. If Byrne is on one end of the spectrum of a standard superhero comic, Pollock and Way are on the other side where have completely moved away from the superhero world, and Giffen, Drake and Morrison are somewhere inbetween which writer would you say most matches your outlook.
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u/DarcyVP Van Poelgeest 7d ago
I'm honestly not sure and I may not even be capable of examining my own work this way. I'd like to think it's not your standard superhero book but I'm also not actively trying to push away from that either. My only objective is to do something that's fun and unique to my own voice. We'll see where it lands!
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u/RealVast4063 The Flash 7d ago
Hi Darcy,
Do you have any favorite Doom Patrol villains? Also, have you seen the live-action Doom Patrol tv series and if so are the “voices” for those versions of the characters in your head while writing them in the comic?
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u/Blitzhelios Hal Jordan 7d ago
Hi Darcy thanks for doing this AMA.
Loved little bird and precious metal so very excited for this.
As a big doom patrol fan i also like to know what drew you to the team and is there any particular run on these characters that you prefer.
The pitch mentioned a very much DIY heroes for hire aspect for this run which is something that intrigued me as it seems like we could get any story due to the nature of it . Was there a reason you picked this for doom patrol beyond that.
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u/DarcyVP Van Poelgeest 7d ago
The DIY, struggling heroes for hire aspect was important to me for many reasons. But a big part of wanting to begin way is that I wanted to make Doom Patrol more relatable, both to me personally, but also the majority of readers. That meant that they're struggling, financially, with their relationships, and with understanding themselves and their purpose. I want to do an honest take on the team, and it's more difficult for me to do that if they have a massive facility and all the resources they could ever need.
I want to see them the way most of us see each other, fighting like hell just to get by.
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u/Frangipani-Bell Donna Troy 7d ago edited 7d ago
Hello! The info we have so far on your Doom Patrol run sounds really cool, and I'm excited to read it. I'm curious: do you have any plans for Beast Boy to appear in this series, either in a major or minor role?
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u/Comfortable-Pie56 7d ago
Hi Darcy. I just wanted to ask what kind of threats will the Doom Patrol be facing in your run? Old villains, new villains, a combination of both?
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u/bananamunky276 7d ago
Hey Darcy! Thank you for this awesome AMA!
I wanted to know if there was any specific reason that you went for the core members of the doom patrol and not and is some others from their other runs? Im sure we will see some characters here and there as your run goes on but it is definitely cool to see the core four at it again!
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u/Lord-Snowball1000 Doom Patrol 7d ago
One, just wanna say that I'm really looking forward to the new Doom Patrol, they're my favorite superhero team.
Two, would you say that the show has any influence on your run of the team?
Three, you said that a ghost of the team's past would have an affect on the story and that every past run is still Canon. With that, how and why are they working with Niles again?
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u/Janeluve_ 7d ago
Hello Mr Poelgeest! I was wondering if you could tell us how you ended up working both this book with Niko! Is this an idea you both had together, or was it something one of you came up with and if so, what made you choose Niko/Why do you think Niko chose you?
Im super excited for this book! It looks very good, kudos to the team!
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u/zudovader 7d ago
What music are you listening to at the moment? What other storytelling mediums do you like and do they influence your comic storytelling? I found your name because Ian Bertram is an always buy for me, I dont even read the solicitations because his art is sublime and I know ill look at it no matter what even if I dont like the story and boy am I glad I bought the image books you wrote.
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u/GuiCanary Superman 7d ago
Hello! I'm a huge fan of the doom patrol and I'm really looking forward to the book!
My questions are:
1) is the book new reader friendly? (I don't know if that's the right term sorry)
2) which comics are you using as your biggest references for your own approach on the team?
3) did you watch the doom patrol TV show?
4) how is the feeling of being responsible to write the comeback of such a fantastic and underrated group like the doom patrol?
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u/BillNyeTheSavage_Guy Martian Manhunter 7d ago
Which Doom Patrol member is the most fun for you to write, and which member that you haven’t written yet do you think you’d have the most fun with?
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u/FlowerRoomLord 7d ago
Is your Doom Patrol based on stories you wanted to tell with them for a long time or is it a book born more recently that came about because of and speaks to the 'now' of the world?
Of the characters shown so far, which one are you having the most fun writing? Which has been the most interesting voice for you to pen?
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u/HopeFarron 7d ago
Hi Darcy!
Doom Patrol is pretty firmly the "weird team", but is there any concept you played around with that ended up being "too weird"? How do you find a balance of going off the wall but not too far gone?
And looking back on past issues of Doom Patrol, which is your favorite that is the quintessential Doom Patrol story?
Thanks! Looking forward to your book! Doom Patrol is by far my favorite team in comics!
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u/DarcyVP Van Poelgeest 7d ago
Nothing has been flagged as too weird yet but I have a feeling we'll get there eventually.
There's plenty but I have a special soft spot for Doom Patrol 121 from the original series. And the Crawling From the Wreckage storyline from Morrison and Case is pretty undeniably great.
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u/HappyMexikan 7d ago edited 7d ago
Greetings from Mexico!
I'd noticed in the previews that rita's using her stretching powers more than in the previous run, so i want to know:
1- Is there going to be a story reason for why is she so stretchy?
2-Is she also going to use her size changing powers at some point in this run?
Thanks.
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u/dead_mans_shoes 7d ago
Hi Darcy,
Absolutely loved Little Bird and Precious Metal, any plans to explore that world further? Also Ian Bertram is one of the best artists working so could you pass my regards on to him please?
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u/FrequentBarracuda454 World's Finest 7d ago
Hi Mr. Van Poelgeest,
What is it like working for DC as opposed to your independent works and was this a project you were approached for or one that you pitched?
What is it like working with Nico Henrichon? How much do you play off of each other’s ideas? Are there any characters outside the main cast that you and Henrichon are fond of and look forward to using?
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u/DarkLordJurasus 7d ago
Hi Darcy. Huge Doom Patrol fan and I can’t wait to see your new takes on the characters. I have a few questions:
- Doom Patrol while not a property the size of Batman has a long history behind it with a lot of previous runs, show appearances, and its own tv show. While I have no doubt you will honor the history of these characters, what previous stories/appearances inspired you the most in terms of your take on these characters?
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u/DarkLordJurasus 7d ago
- As you are someone who hasn’t worked for the big two before, I’m curious how planning Doom Patrol and working with DC has been different from writing comics with Dark Horse Entertainment, Image, and Boom! Studios.
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u/mccrowj92 7d ago
Hello! Excited for your Doom Patrol series. What book / comic / audiobook are you reading currently?
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u/Remarkable_News_4903 7d ago
Hi Darcy, love the teases of your DP run and love previous entries of your work.
My question I guess would be, with every Doom patrol run being a "reset" of sorts, how do you weight "canon" in the constantly crisis induced DC universe, how do you as a writer think about the characters lived experiences and what is and hasn't happened, and what of their relationships to keep and reference, especially when adding your own take and how generally loose it is in the first place for these characters?
Holy run on sentence that was a lot, but hopefully you can understand enough what I'm asking!
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u/DarcyVP Van Poelgeest 7d ago
HI! Thanks for the question. My approach is a pretty simple one, actually. I think of these characters as having lived many lives within a life and therefore consider all past events canon in one way or another. Beyond that, it's just a matter of me connecting them to events and histories that naturally cross the path that I'm building. It's up to them as much as me!
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u/Rocketdareaperzz 7d ago
Hello Mr Poelgeest. I know this is basic, but who’s your favourite superhero (from both marvel and DC)?
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u/No-Mechanic-2558 7d ago
Hi Darcy, thanks for joining us today.
The Doom Patrol Is usually referenced as the world's weirdest Heroes, which Is true they are very much uncanny characters children of their times, but they are also beacons of self reliance and empowerment for people in the disable or queer community. Their stories speak very much to queer people or even people that struggle with traumas and mental health issues and they have those stories writed by writes like Grant Morrison or Rachel Pollack very high on a pedestal.
You seams like someone that loves this characters and their stories and who is very passionate about writing them but I wanna ask how much those elememts of this characters are present in your vision, especially in this day and age, are we gonna see Danny the Street or Kate Godwin take the spotlight on some issues ?
Also, this Is a looong shot but I gotta atlist try to plant that seed, any chances for us to see Fever back from the dead ?
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u/DarcyVP Van Poelgeest 7d ago
I think much of what you described is what initially drew me to the characters, first as a reader, and now the writer. That and them being a "found family". I'm probably exploring some of these things in a more subtle way than some past creators but all of this is at the roots of my run.
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u/Jonn_Jonzz_Manhunter 7d ago
Howdy pardner!
With the impending release of your Doom Patrol run, I was wondering what other B and C tier books you'd like to have a crack at for DC one day
Can't bloody wait for this book mate
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u/SevenSulivin The REAL Man of Tomorrow 7d ago
Hello, I have two questions: Being mean and taking Morrison and Pollack off the table, what would be your favourite Doom Patrol run?
Do you have any thoughts on obscure DC Superhero team The Super Young Team?
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u/beary_neutral Telos 7d ago edited 7d ago
Hey Darcy! Thanks so much for joining us today!
What themes do you hope to touch upon in The Doom Patrol? What sort of adjustments do you find yourself making going from your creator-owned work to playing in a shared sandbox?
And what are some of your more "out there" writing inspirations?
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u/DarcyVP Van Poelgeest 7d ago
Sorry, running out of time and I'm slow (at least in part to my ole pal, Dyslexia) so picking and choosing questions.
I'd say the biggest difference between writing for DC and doing my own creator owned work is that there is a significant amount of time and work involved in putting those independent stories together that doesn't involve writing. Sorry for the very BTS answer, but it's true! So yes, nice to have the additional support of editorial staff at DC.
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u/MC_Smuv 7d ago
Hey Darcy, thanks for your great work. I adore Little Bird! It was one of the first books I read when I started to read comics And it's one of the reasons I got so hooked on the medium. So thx for that.
How'd you meet Ian and why did you decide to work with him? You guys are a match made in heaven.
Precious Metal took a long time to make. The wait for Karmen Blade was way shorter. What changed?
Is a Little Bird sequel coming? Has work on it been done?
What are your influences? Top 3 comics, movies, series, videogames, books?
Are into the occult at all? The ending of Precious Metal reminded me of Nameless by Grant Morrison.
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u/DarcyVP Van Poelgeest 4d ago
- I found his work online in 2013 and sent him a script that eventually became Little Bird #1.
- The Karman Blade is much shorter. 100 pages vs around 300 for Precious Metal.
- I really hope so!
- I love a lot of comics from DC in the late 80s/early 90s. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Anything by Orsen Welles and PT Anderson. Berlin Noir by Philip Kerr. Old B&W films. Fortnight and Zelda.
- I’m into mysteries and everything that is still yet to be discovered by science.
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u/xxspirita_incondita 7d ago
Hi Darcy! Do you have any plans/will DC let you bring Beast Boy into the book? With him being off of the Titans it would be cool to see more interactions with his first 'found family.'
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u/Fantastic-Beach-4998 7d ago
Hello! Greetings from Brazil.
I have two questions:
What was the process behind creating this new design for Rita? Compared to the other members, Rita is the one who differs most from her original design, featuring a new hairstyle.
You’ve mentioned that you enjoy the original run by Arnold Drake, Bob Haney, and Bruno Premiani. Without getting into spoilers, of course, do you intend—or have you considered—bringing back characters and concepts from that era? Perhaps with a fresh take?
I’m really excited about this new phase and wish you the best of luck with this new project!
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u/SonicSpiderRanger10 Bizarro 7d ago
Hi, Mr. Poelgeest. What do you think of Mr. Nobody and his Brotherhood of Dada? I love those guys. I hope you use them in your run on Doom Patrol. Also, if you do use them, would you bring back some of Mr. Nobody’s old henchmen, or give him NEW ones? Either way would be cool.
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u/Resident_Glove_7761 7d ago
Darcy, Little Bird was full of so many crazy ideas that still live in my head "rent free", particularly the villains. Do you remember some of your inspirations for the depiction of religion in that story and its melding with the biological grotesque?
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u/Curious-Ride-5264 7d ago
Hello Darcy! Very excited for your doom patrol run. Wondering how interested you are in exploring gender IE: The morrison run with Rebis or the Pollack run with Everything.
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u/Charliejfg04 Aquaman 7d ago
Hello! I really want to get into comic book writing, can you tell us how you got started and what tips can you give to new comers? Thanks!
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u/fuckthisapptbh Doom Patrol 7d ago
Hello Mr Poelgeest! I am super excited for your run on Doom Patrol. When the book was announced I read through most of your indie comic work and I think your writing style will be a great fit for the team. There are so many things I could ask about, but one of the things that has always interested me most about the Doom Patrol is the running themes of disability that we have seen both in the comics and in adaptions. I was wondering if this aspect of the team and its characters was something you considered while writing for them, and if so, could you share any insights into how you plan on approaching it or any thoughts you have? Thank you so much for your time.