Whenever a show starts, they always intend to be unique, original, and different from any other series out there. The unfortunate truth is that, given the plethora of series that have popped up over the years, there's always going to be one series that has similarities to another.
For The Umbrella Academy and Doom Patrol, the similarities are pretty glaring, given their premises and characters. However, that's not to say that there aren't things that set each show apart from one another. Here are five things Umbrella Academy and Doom Patrol have in common, along with some ways they are different.
Similar: Characters
Sometimes, no matter what writers or creators try, characters can blend or have similarities to others who act or appear just like them. Every team in the world of superheroes and comics appears to have this sort of problem.
Each team, including the Doom Patrol and the Umbrella Academy, have certain types of characters in their midst. From the out of their mind to the strong man and the one trying to move away from being a hero, Doom Patrol and The Umbrella Academy represent all these characters and more.
Different: Origins
Origins of heroes, villains, and anti-heroes are always interesting to see in a series, movie, or comic book. Typically, this is because most of the time no hero's origin will be the same or close to another's. They always seem to benefit the story and its characters.
The origins of the Doom Patrol and the Umbrella Academy couldn't be any different. The heroes of the bizarre DC world have their origins controlled, whereas, in the Dark Horse world, the Academy's origins come as naturally as a hero can be.
Similar: Chief & Reginald Hargreeves
Misfits and outcasts usually need someone to take them in; a person who can guide, nurture, and sometimes lead them. While most teams have their own special mentor, the likes of the Chief and Reginald Hargreeves are two leaders who are actually very similar in both actions and morals.
While both characters have their own goals and motives at heart, they typically deal with their teams in similar ways. They both manipulate the heroes for their own mysterious goals while also pushing their bizarre families into action in their own ways.
Different: Leadership
Despite having father figures or mentors who would appear to be in leadership roles, the role of the leader in the Doom Patrol and Umbrella Academy is either changing or always the same for both of the misfit teams.
On the one hand, the Umbrella Academy seems to almost always be content to work on their own, with no-one really in a leadership position. On the other side, the Doom Patrol either has no leader or reluctantly listens to the Chief, making for odd leadership roles and statuses for both teams.
Similar: Humor
It's difficult to effectively pull off comedy. Furthermore, it's even more difficult to pull off dark comedy in not just one, but two different series, much less possess the same kind of humor and jokes that make the shows stand out from the crowd.
This off-brand and often times morbid sense of humor is partly what defines Umbrella Academy and Doom Patrol. Both series are full of memorable lines of dialogue punctuated with bizarrely comical imagery and moments that help each show stick the landing.
Different: Emotional Beats
Even when a show is known for its dark comedy 0r humor, sometimes, a series must be able to balance emotional moments with comedic timing in a way that compliments and improves both. However, no series will have the same kind of moments.
The same can be said for both of these superhero-related series, with each one having different and more impactful emotional beats. From a robot reconnecting with his daughter to a brother and sister setting aside their differences, the shows do not carry the same emotional weight.
Similar: Crazy Plots
Only the world of comics can have such crazy plots, stories so bizarre yet wonderful that they just manage to work. Of course, in adapting these crazy tales, certain details are subject to change; however, sometimes, this can be for the better.
Time travel, giant bugs hellbent on revenge, evil fish bosses, and half-human, half-vegetable creatures make up the strange yet amazing worlds of The Umbrella Academy and Doom Patrol. These weird storylines somehow walk the line between believability and insanity, making for the best of both universes.
Different: Too Far Vs Just Right
Walking the line between believable and out of this world is never easy, and sometimes, series like The Umbrella Academy and Doom Patrol run the risk of going too far with their plots. However, this is a problem only one show really seems to encounter.
Despite going into aspects of time travel and talking fishes, The Umbrella Academy somehow retains a sense of believability. On the other hand, Doom Patrol goes almost too far into the craziness, with kooky imaginary friends pushing the series over the line a little too much.
Similar: Dysfunctional Family
Families can come in more than one shape and form, as many different series and films have shown audiences. It doesn't matter who they are, whether they be of blood or bond, families can come from anywhere and anything.
Both The Umbrella Academy and Doom Patrol benefit from having two of the most dysfunctional families to ever grace the screen. Yet, no matter what problems may arise, they always have each other's backs and are willing to put their lives on the line for one another.
Different: Coming Together
No matter what kind of group is put together, whether it be a dysfunctional family or an honest to goodness team-up, chances are the team will need to come together to face off against some kind of baddie or threat.
However, while the members of the Academy are able to overcome their differences and beat the villain, the world's strangest Patrol, for some reason or another, seem to struggle with coming together. They are always suffering from some inner issues that never fully get resolved.