HBO’s Near-Perfect Superhero Show Fixed the DCEU’s Biggest Mistake

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The new DC Universe (DCU) aimed to revitalize its iconic characters and create a world comparable to the successful Marvel Cinematic Universe. Interestingly, one character, Cyborg, was already well-developed before this overhaul and arguably exceeded anything seen in the previous DC Extended Universe (DCEU).

Many DC fans might not be familiar with this series, but it was special because it focused on the lesser-known characters of the DC Universe. This allowed for deeply emotional storytelling, and it’s what made Cyborg a surprisingly compelling character – it even improved upon the portrayal seen in the DC movies.

The DCEU Didn’t Deliver a Great Cyborg Story

Zack Snyder’s take on the DC Universe, starting with the 2013 film Man of Steel, was initially met with mixed reactions. While it showed a Superman who saved the day, it was a grittier, more explosive take on the character. This darker style continued throughout Snyder’s involvement with the DC films, creating visually stunning movies that were often serious in tone.

Cyborg was introduced as a future hero in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and fully appeared in Justice League. The story behind his powers centers on Victor Stone, a talented football player whose life was tragically altered by an accident that also took his mother’s life. His father, Silas Stone, rebuilt him with incredible cybernetic technology, giving him a new life and purpose.

Zack Snyder’s Justice League delved into the emotional toll Victor Stone experienced after his transformation, and the anger he felt towards his father stemming from being saved while his mother perished. This internal conflict was central to Cyborg’s character, and despite his trauma, he maintained a vibrant personality. It’s a key reason why the Cyborg portrayed in Doom Patrol felt truer to his comic book origins than the version in the film.

The Cyborg portrayed in the DCEU was a much grimmer take on the comic book character, and his storyline even made audiences question his trustworthiness due to the alien technology linked to his mind. Viewers didn’t get a compelling character, and there wasn’t enough focus on Vic Stone’s journey to heal from his trauma and become the hero fans expected. Unfortunately, these issues couldn’t be addressed in future installments because the plans for the character were scrapped.

Doom Patrol Explored the Psychological Effects of Cyborg’s Trauma

The New 52 comics reimagined Cyborg’s powers, explaining they came from technology from Apokolips. Previously, his abilities were solely the result of his father, Dr. Silas Stone’s, work. The Doom Patrol series revisited the original story where Dr. Stone tried to save his son after a lab accident that left him injured and tragically took his wife’s life.

Both Doom Patrol and the DC Extended Universe explore similar themes with characters like Victor, including his strained relationship with his father. However, Doom Patrol stood out because of its approach and deeper understanding of the root causes of Victor’s unhappiness. Beyond the surface level, Doom Patrol consistently focuses on the personal traumas each team member experiences throughout the series.

Vic felt disconnected from his character in the show because he wasn’t fully robotic. The creators opted for a more subtle approach, with cybernetic parts visible on his skin, similar to the comics. However, this only amplified his feelings of being an outsider. He worried he didn’t look human enough, and this made people uneasy and judgmental.

The show Doom Patrol depicted Vic struggling with his emotions, swinging between happiness, arrogance, and sadness. He couldn’t find emotional stability, but whenever his team needed him, his true, heroic self emerged. While Vic always wanted to help others, Doom Patrol delves into the reasons why he often sabotaged his own efforts.

The final season of Doom Patrol successfully told Cyborg’s story in a meaningful and natural way – something the DC Extended Universe never managed to do. Instead of ‘fixing’ him, the show allowed Cyborg to accept himself, and even positioned him as a mentor as the team went their separate ways, potentially setting him up for a future role as a Teen Titan. In contrast, the DCEU’s version of Cyborg simply felt happier with himself at the end, without truly exploring the reasons behind his growth.

The DCU Can Learn a Lot From Doom Patrol

The appeal of the DCU has always been its potential to reboot the franchise and create consistent, unified versions of beloved characters across all films and shows. While we probably won’t see the Cyborg from Doom Patrol in this new universe, the DCU can still build on the strengths of previous DC projects.

Watching Cyborg deal with the pain of his past – including his mother’s death and difficult relationship with his father – is essential for his development. It’s what transforms him from simply a character with cool technology into a true hero, moving beyond just anger and sadness.

As a huge DC fan, I’m really excited about the potential for Cyborg in the new DCU. I think they’re smart to lean into the idea of him finding acceptance and a real community with the new heroes he meets – almost like what happened with the Doom Patrol. It’s a chance to make him more than just a powerful, robotic figure, especially since Doom Patrol already has a character like that. They could really build him into a truly compelling and unique hero who can stand on his own two feet, or… well, whatever he has in place of feet!

Doom Patrol is a truly exceptional TV show from the DC Universe, but it doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. The show boasts fantastic characters and exciting action, and while characters like Cyborg are just one example of its strengths, his story is particularly well-told, making him a great character to follow throughout the series.

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2026-06-07 13:37