DP 7 arguably the most influential series out of a 1980s Marvel imprint. Created by the late Mark Gruenwald, this series remains a highly regarded piece years after publishing. But what makes it so special? The fact that it broke some the imprint’s self-imposed rules? The melodrama and concept it shares with other superhero outlaws? Or is it for being pretty ahead of its time? Let’s find out.
Where Did DP 7 Come From?
The New Universe was a Marvel Comics imprint from the tail end of the 80s. It was an attempt at showing superpowered people in a more realistic light. You know, a capepunk universe. There were plenty of titles to come out… but the most people remember are: Star Brand, Nightmask, and this one. Along with Psi-Force, this series ran the longest in New Universe’s four years. Not to mention its creative team was the most stable.
How Come?
Gruenwald’s time with DP 7 was a major surprise to a lot of people. The guy has a reputation of being a Marvel Universe groupie, being a living encyclopedia of events. But when you realize that he worked on a capepunk before this one, Squadron Supreme, it’s more believeable. He even brought that series’ artist Paul Ryan with him. Together they brought in some experiences to make an emotionally resonate story. One that I will personally contest against Philippe Cordier as the “only good” New Universe title. That’s despite the series’ hiccups.
Meet The 7 Displaced Paranormals
DP 7 on first impression is very much like Doom Patrol and X-Men, outsiders in their own universe. The main cast aren’t so much a team or a found family as much as a dysfunctional support group. They are very regular people whose change into the paranormal puts them at odds with the world. For example, Mastodon and Blur require more food than the average person can afford. Others like Scuzz or Twilight have powers that tend to put others off because they’re living hazards. The ones who are lucky enough to pass as normal meanwhile still have to deal with other issues. Former housewife Stephanie desperately wants to be normal for her three kids. Especially when her deadbeat husband uses her power as an excuse to keep them away.
Power Couplings
But it’s the group dynamics that make this series so memorable. Most of that goes towards Mastodon/David and Stephanie/Glitter. David started off suicidal after being in so much pain from his muscle growth. Stephanie helped make that easier for him, which made his infatuation even easier. But even he acknowledges it’s off-putting to have a chance with a married woman. Of course, he can’t help vainly hoping that there could be one.
POV… For The Time
Then there’s Randy O’Brien, the group’s den mother. Randy is arguably the most put together out of everyone and reacts the way any real person would to Paranormals. In fact despite his fantastical Antibody astral projection powers, it’s what makes him the perfect POV. Through Randy’s eyes and mostly human limitations, readers feel just how at odds he and the others are. As a doctor, Randy genuinely wants to help people and do right. But that’s difficult when around people with high metabolisms and lacking the resources to support it. That conflict is easily felt when the group has to pilfer food from places.
Blessed With Suck
Some of the people who have it the worst are Scuzz and Lenore.
Lenore/Twilight seemed to be the most patient and empathetic to everyone’s plights. Being an old Latin teacher might have to do with that. Or maybe that’s because of her power. Her skin gives off a paralyzing bioluminescence, requiring her to cover her body at all times. But when Lenore discovers that light can also steal others vitality to empower herself, she starts to become addicted. It was only thanks to Charly and her other friend Jeff that she managed to get everything under control.
The Fan Favorite
Finally let’s talk about Jeff “Blur” Walters. Compared to everyone else, he doesn’t have much that gets him down. Probably because he’s trying his best to cope with his situation. His always vibrating body gives him a high metabolism so he has to eat a lot or starve. You gotta admit out of all the dourness, having some positivity can make a big difference. Especially when you consider how Blur tries to actively be friends with everybody. Some with better results than others. Out of all of the cast, Blur probably has the most influence outside of DP 7. Enough to have characters tributing him and appearing in a Squadron Supreme story.
And Everybody Else
I guess I should mention Charly beyond Randy. She’s probably the most down-to-Earth out of everybody. Charly had dreams that slipped out of her hands and a few failed relationships. But she kept going despite all of the hardships. In terms of role and character, Charly feels like a buffer. As for other characters like Sponge, Mutator, and Chrome, they either try to add to existing dynamics or develop beyond them. Which makes two of them feel like extras.
What’s DP 7 All About?
Talking about the characters is all well and good, but what’s the plot behind them? If anything, it’s trying to avoid being exploited by very bad people. The cast met at this clinic to help deal with their Paranormal conditions.
Only problem was, despite the treatment and care, the clinic’s director Philip Voigt planned to build an army. Not just an army his underling would brainwash, but he could copy the powers of other Paranormals. So a conquer-the-world-type villain? A white collar one at that, using subterfuge to get what he wants. Whether that’s with his powers or his money. He’s the very definition of corporate domination, eventually becoming the US president.
It was pretty revolutionary at the time. Before Grant Morrison’s take on Doom Patrol‘s Niles Calder or Valiant Comics’ Toyo Harada even.
Much of the early issues are spent trying to avoid the clinic’s forces as well as trying to adjust to the changes. Which becomes a real tragedy as every action they take to try and get some normalcy blows up in their faces. Even after the clinic’s staff is taken out, things don’t get any easier. Between a military draft and a lack of direction, our growing number of disparate paranormals never catch a break. That’s not even including President Voigt. It’s this struggle to accepting a new normal that makes DP 7 so great. Which is why it baffles me that people find dumb things to complain about.
DP 7 Follows Its Own Rules
It’s like this, the New Universe was trying to pass in real-time. One issue a month tends to mean a month passed between issues, sounds good to make episodic content. But the “missing persons” scenario of DP 7 feels better going at its own pace. I think this criticism comes from the age old peeve of “it’s different so it’s bad”. Frankly this is starting to become a lame excuse.
Not that the other parts don’t deserve their critiques. The other 19 issues were essentially Gruenwald winging it, branching off into different stories. He even admitted that the 7 in the title lost relevance after a while. But his focus on character arcs make this something to remember. Gruenwald just couldn’t let go of DP 7 or other bits of the New Universe, bringing them into his Quasar title for a bit. Apparently he had plans to continue the series but tragically died before he could finish the plot.
Where Is DP 7?
As for availability, you can get the first 9 issues digitally in trade or issue form. The rest you’re gonna have to find in your local comic stores. What not all of the issues are available? Try eBay before you go onto those pirated websites! This isn’t video game emulation! As much as I wish it was.
Thanks for coming to the end. As always remember to look between the panels.