Doom Patrol’s Crisis On Infinite Earths Cameo Explained

The Arrowverse unveiled some new corners of its newly-reborn multiverse in the closing chapter of Crisis on Infinite Earths – including an officially designated home for Doom Patrol. After weeks of waiting, the ambitious CW/DC crossover event picked up a few months after the huge Crisis on Infinite Earths Part 3 cliffhanger. With the entire multiverse wiped out of existence, all that remained was the seven prophesized paragons. Stranded at The Vanishing Point, the remaining heroes – and Lex Luthor – attempted to find a way to undo the devastation and defeat the Anti-Monitor.

Fortunately, the chosen few were able to achieve that goal with the help of Oliver Queen. Once known as the Green Arrow, Oliver had become something else. Blessed with the abilities and teachings of Jim Corrigan, Oliver had evolved into the Arrowverse’s version of Spectre. In that capacity, Oliver joined the paragons at the dawn of time. It was there that The Flash, Batwoman, Supergirl, Martian Manhunter, Lex Luthor, White Canary, and Ryan Choi battled the Anti-Monitor’s shadow demons. Spectre, meanwhile, tackled the otherworldly tyrant directly. As he did so, Oliver channeled his newfound powers into “lighting the spark” and rebirthing the multiverse – while the paragons did their part in “fanning the flames” by serving as personifications of several specific tenets. Prior to the closing moments of Crisis on Infinite Earths Part 5, with the battle finally won, fans were treated to a montage of some newly established (or officially confirmed) parallel Earths.

Among them were a second Titans-centric cameo and a first look at the heroes of the upcoming Stargirl show. There was also a crowd-pleasing Swamp Thing cameo. Setting itself distinctly apart from each of those, however, was an appearance by the Doom Patrol. Rather than taking place at night or in a rain-soaked bayou, the brief scene was in broad daylight beneath a cloudless sky. Bathing in the bright colors and sunshine, the established core members of the team were all present with the exception of Timothy Dalton’s Niles Caulder. Equally absent was Caulder’s daughter, Dorothy Spinner, who seemingly joined the team at the end of Doom Patrol season 1. Also, rather than watching for danger or being already embroiled in a superheroic battle, the Doom Patrol merely danced jubilantly on the lawn of Doom Manor. Diane Guerrero’s Crazy Jane was partnered with April Bowlby’s Elasti-Woman. Simultaneously, Brendan Fraser’s Robotman danced with Joivan Wade’s Cyborg. Meanwhile, Matt Bomer’s Negative Man twerked happily off to the side on his own.

The Doom Patrol was created by Arnold Drake, Bob Haney, and Bruno Premiani. First debuting in 1963’s My Greatest Adventure #80, the team has had a somewhat shifting roster over the decades. The original team, however, was largely as seen on Doom Patrol. One of the main differences is Crazy Jane substituting in for Mento. The other is Beast Boy. Gar Logan, as he is otherwise known, was introduced alongside the Doom Patrol as part of the backdoor pilot on Titans. Following those events, however, Gar joined the Titans while notable Titan, Cyborg, took his slot on the Doom Patrol. Despite that, however, Crisis on Infinite Earths confirmed that the Titans and Doom Patrol shows are actually separate continuities.

Rather than being comprised of brand-new footage, the dancing sequence is reportedly a deleted scene from Doom Patrol season 1. At first glance, fans could be forgiven for thinking that the scene is a retcon depicting the team celebrating the restoration of the multiverse. Given that only the paragons (and those that Martian Manhunter personally visited) remember the Crisis; however, that’s not the case. A more likely scenario that it follows the successful defeat of their own inter-dimensional threat, Mr. Nobody. Then again – given the Doom Patrol’s status as “DC’s weirdest heroes” – it could just be that the group is dancing for the simple joy of it and no other reason. Whatever the case, making Doom Patrol official canon of the Arrowverseopens a lot of doors and will have fans even more eager for their return – be it on their own show or, potentially, in future crossovers.

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