GamersCircle

Context
The Outsiders continue to move through their inaugural mission and an old enemy returns.

Geo-Force: Created by Mike W. Barr and Jim Aparo for Batman and the Outsiders in 1983. Prince of Markovia, Brion Markov, is also the half brother of deceased Teen Titan, Terra. Originally, Brion’s powers focused on various applications of gravity manipulation but Deathstroke recently added Terra’s earth control powers as well. In DC Universe Last Will and Testament, it appeared that both Markov and Deathstroke died in battle yet both seem to have been resurrected.

Black Lightning: Created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden in 1977. Jefferson Pierce was born with the metahuman ability to conduct and control electricity. He originally rejected membership in the Justice League but has served since. He was also the Secretary of Education in Lex Luthor’s administration but eventually resigned.

Katana: Created by Mike W. Barr and Jim Aparo for Batman and the Outsiders in 1983. Tatsu Yamashiro is a samurai warrior who wields the Soultaker, an ancient sword that can claim the souls of its victims. She has also appeared in the Birds of Prey.

Metamorpho: Created by Bob Haney and Ramona Fradon in 1965. Rex Mason was a treasure hunter (now retconned into a reality show host) who was transformed by a strange meteor in an Egyptian pyramid. He has complete control over the chemical composition of his body but is tortured by his freakish appearance. He also has rejected membership in the Justice League but later did become a member.

Halo: Created by Mike W. Barr and Jim Aparo for Batman and the Outsiders in 1983. Halo is actually a colorful energy orb that inhabited the recently deceased body of sociopath Violet Harper. She generates energy fields of different colors that have abilities ranging from flight to concussive blasts.

The Creeper: Created by Steve Ditko in 1968. Jack Ryder is a talk show host who was injected with an experimental serum that endowed him with superhuman agility and strength. His origin is almost as confusing as Hawkman’s as it has been changed several times. These days, it seems he has some demonic connection and his sanity continues to be in question.

Owlman: Roy Raymond Jr. was created by Chuck Dixon and Staz Johnson in 1997. The character was originally portrayed as an arrogant talk show host that specialized in tabloid television. Over time, he has been transformed into a reality show host that specializes in unsolved crimes. He has taken Batman’s place as the lead detective for the team.

Story
Although this series started off strong, Peter Tomasi’s story is starting to lose momentum and focus. Very little actually occurs in this issue and the ending seems tacked on for shock value. Basic storytelling breaks down when the Outsiders lose a meteor to the mysterious (and for some reason nude) Insiders and then inexplicably are able to create a ball of the meteor’s dust. Page 18, where this event occurs, almost seems to be missing a few panels.

This title should be DC’s answer to Marvel’s Captain Britain and MI:13 and the Agents of Atlas. Instead we are treated to a pedestrian story punctuated by cliché, stiff battle choreography and characterization that is boring at best and just plain wrong at worst. This title tries to add punch by throwing in some major DC baddies but they miss that top level threat because they are just too tied to second tier groups.

Art
I thought the art on this book was average a few issues ago and although Lee Garbett is showing signs of improvement, he remains in the middle of the pack. The art does nothing to correct the problems with the story and Garbett continues his love affair with the giant gaping mouth. His backgrounds continue to be barren and his art seems propped up by special effects in spots (see the robot’s surface and the explosion during the battle.) His best work here is during the quiet scenes with the Insiders.

What to look for
There are a few highlights here but they drown in what’s wrong

What might put you off
The fact that DC reunites the original team and then misses the mark

Recommendation
My early optimism for this title seems misplaced after this issue. I would drop this and wait to hear if it picks up.

Credits

Title Outsiders
Issue Number 17
Publisher DC
Release Date 4/22/2009
Writer Peter J Tomasi
Penciler Lee Garbett
Inker Trevor Scott
Colorist Brian Reber
Letterer Sal Cipriano
Editor Mike Marts
Reviewed by Geoff Jolliff

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1. Comic Book Review – Outsiders #15
2. Comic Book Review – BATMAN: BATTLE FOR THE COWL – THE UNDERGROUND
3. Comic Book Review – Batman Confidential #26
4. Comic Book Review- Batman Cacophony #3 of 3
5. Comic book review- Batman: Battle for the Cowl #1