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Batman and the Outsiders #1

December 2007 – DC Comics – Chuck Dixon: Writer - Julian Lopez: Penciler – Bit: Inker

A few times ever week, I pop on over to the Legion of Doom and read what the Doomers are saying about comics. Sometimes I agree and sometimes I don't. However, their discussions always stay civil and never devolve into flame wars. Anyway, while reading their review of World War Hulk 5 (of which I wholly agree), I found a link to Paperghost, another fun comics pundit. While I can't imagine anyone would willingly buy issues of ASBAR, his “Swipe File” entry would make the dude behind Lying in the Gutters proud. Anyway, this was basically a big 'ol opening to reiterate that old cliché, don't judge a book by it's cover. (Truthfully, I don't think Braithwaite and Sook knew this would draw comparisons). Honestly, the cover to Batman and the Outsiders #1 has that classic team book vibe going on. Each team member in a great superhero action pose. Plus, it has the one name that will always get me to buy a Bat book sight unseen...

Dixon. As in Chuck Dixon.

I don't know what DC did to lure Mr. Dixon back into a Batman book, but it was worth it. I know not everyone thinks the same as your friendly neighborhood Geek. However, in my opinion there are few writers that truly “get” the Bat-Family; Chuck Dixon is one of those writers. (Drop me a line if you want to know whom I consider the modern masters of the Dark Knight). Watching Dixon handle one of DC's more interesting teams is a pleasure. (His pending return to Robin should prove interesting). I just couldn't get into Winick's run on the Outsiders. Long-time readers will know my issues with Judd Winick. He has still yet to knock one out of the park for me to accept him as a power player in the comics world. (Then again, he is a paid writer and I'm not, so who am I to judge). Writing aside, the team make up during Winick's run just didn't sit right with me.

Metamorpho worked in an SAT question way... Metamorpho is to the Outsiders as Martian Manhunter is to the Justice League. Katana deserves more attention in the DCU and I hope Didio doesn't get his fatty little sausages of death on her. Thunder and Grace were a good creation (I'll give Judd his due on those two). Shoot, I even thought Arsenal was a nice addition. It was their leader I just couldn't get behind. Nightwing doesn't belong on the Outsiders. He just doesn't. Not that, as a character, he isn't “deserving”. Far from it. In fact, I've long felt it was time for Batman to slink into the shadows once more and let Nightwing be the JLA's resident detective and “dark” player. To put it simply, Nightwing is too nice of a guy to lead a dark and dirty team like the Outsiders. The Outsiders always were and always should be Batman's team. Period.

And what a team he has!

Katana, Catwoman, Metamorpho, Grace, Thunder, Batman, Aquaman (WTF), and Martian Manhunter. With the sole exception of Aquaman (and I think he isn't long for the team) this is a great line up. The Outsiders perfectly fits the current attitude of a one J'ohn J'onnz. With the exception of DC's other fantastic team book, Checkmate, this new Batman and the Outsiders promises an action and intrigued filled run. As first issues go, this was a strong outing. By no means one of Dixon's strongest issues. It nonetheless set the stage for some great stories. The book also showcases Dixon's deep knowledge of these characters.

The interaction between Catwoman and Metamorpho was gold. These are two characters that have been playing in the DCU for a long time and their banter proves it. Dixon also knows how to balance Batman's inherent distrust for untested heroes and genuine concern to make the world a better place. Batman might be a tad cynical (says Aaron for the understatement of the century) but he isn't a dick...most of the time. I got the impression he wants Thunder to grow as a hero, but he ain't gonna' coddle her the way Nightwing would have. As for my favorite Martian, I don't know. I'm not totally happy with DC's choice to make him so dark, but I think Dixon will pull this one off. (This again assumes he won't get Dan'd). I didn't see the “Countdown Week Blah-Blah” attached to the bar code like so many other DC books, so I wonder when this current story takes place in DC's current cluster 'F. Hopefully it doesn't and they'll just jump to Final Crisis and be done with it. (Although I doubt it, since I had to again look at that two page add for “Evil Shall Inherit the Earth” with the Joker whispering sweet nothings into Catwoman's ear. To say nothing of the knife-wielding Martian Manhunter). We'll see.

Then the art. I like Julian Lopez's pencils. Good solid lines and an eye for fluidity that makes the action scenes pop. However, stronger still are Lopez's facial expressions. You almost don't need Dixon's words to understand the emotions behind the faces. In a the world of over the top splash pages, this small attention to human expression is a welcome breath of fresh air. As I said, Batman and the Outsiders isn't perfect, but it is a strong start and has some potential to become one of DC's better books. Like Gail Simone's opening salvo on Wonder Woman #14 (which I intend to review before the week gets out), Batman and the Outsiders are a small return to the roots that made these characters so popular before.

Give it a read.