Batman and the Outsiders #7

As an individual issue of "Batman and the Outsiders", this issue is a very brisk and well plotted read. I like the handling of Metamorpho's powers but he comes across as a bit whiny in the crunch. Batgirl continues to be intriguing. I just wonder how she breathes with her face fully covered by what looks like a leather mask. The team is taking a beating here. Batman is finally gathering steam to get out into the field. Hopefully next issue we will see Batman & the Outsiders not just the Outsiders on a mission.

The art on this book is very good. I like the coloring by Marta Martinez. The painted look gives the reader a rich and detailed page to take in. The art team of Rodriguez and Bit are also in good form here. The art really pulls me in.



Art Rating: 3 out of 4
Story Rating 3 out of 4
Overall Rating: 3 out of 4

My only complaint about this story line is the pacing. The individual issues are good reads. Dixon can keep the tension up quite easily, but the overall arc is a bit plodding. We haven't moved much from the team getting to the launch site until now. I get the feeling the story is being padded a bit for the future TPB treatment.

Batman and the Outsiders #5

This week DC and writer James Robinson announced a spin-off title called "Justice League". The mission of this team would be to be a proactive JL going after criminals. Now, I though that was supposed to be the mission of Batman & the Outsiders. I think that was probably true before Chuck Dixon stepped in at the last minute as writer. Now the Outsiders really serve as Batman's strong covert action team - somewhat related to the JLA. The first six issues of this series have been interesting and I like Dixon's take on Batman's team. This issue brings us one step closer to the launch of the OMAC-related satellites. I won't spoil it here but Dixon throws in a little twist right up front that took me to the reveal to understand what was going on. It will be interesting to see if he chooses to keep these two characters around for the long haul. Julian Lopez, Bit, & Marta Martinez continue to put out excellent art. Lopez does action well and his layouts are pretty good. The pacing throughout this issue is spot on and made the read quite enjoyable.

This is one of DC's best team books, beating out both "Teen Titans" and "Justice League of America" with its great writing and art.

Batman and the Outsiders #4

I'm having fun with "Batman & the Outsiders". Writer Chuck Dixon has done a great job of bringing his team together utilizing Batman as the lynchpin for most of the members being around. Green Arrow is onboard the team, if only temporary, in an issue that has him going head-to-head with new Outsider Batgirl. The confrontation between them is handled well, with Ollie's personality shining through. The overarching story inches forward a little bit in this issue as Batman and his cadre move to eliminate a threat. Dixon's use of nonlinear story telling is good and keeps the suspense up.

I really dig the art in this book. Penciller Julian Lopez, Inker Bit, and Colorist Marta Martinez produce beautiful pages. I like the painted look of the piece and Lopez' layouts are very good. I hope that DC can keep the creative team together on this book for a while. For Lopez, I guess that means getting the book out in a 28 day cycle...and that's not a bad thing for us readers.

Batman and the Outsiders #3

I'm sold on "Batman and the Outsiders". Writer Chuck Dixon is still building his sandbox but he his already having fun playing with what he has. The interaction between the Outsiders and the JLA team members in this issue is done well. However, don't let the cover fool you Black Canary and Martian Manhunter are no where to be scene in this issue. Penciller Juilian Lopez provides some nice panels here - my favorite being the one with Geo-Force, Metamorpho, Katana, and Black Lightening, the original Outsiders on hand. The interlude with Grace, Thunder, and Batgirl, while nicely drawn, left me wondering what it was doing in this book. It seemed to be there to give the reader a little T&A and not much else.

This book is off to a fine start. The art is good and Dixon's writing captures the team dynamics well. "Batman & the Outsiders" is climbing to the top of my must reads from my pull list.

Batman and the Outsiders #2

I am really digging "Batman and the Outsiders". Writer Chuck Dixon has captured a fun tone along with getting the characterization of each player down. Issue #2 picks up right where #1 left off with the Outsiders going up against a new OMAC. Dixon keeps the story moving forward while showing off the individual characters and providing a bit of humor along the way. I truly enjoy his characterization of Martian Manhunter here, but I'm sad to see that he may be leaving the team.

The art is just plain outstanding. Penciller Carlos Rodriguez nails each team member and has a knack for the action set pieces. Inker Bit provides strong inking as well. I have to give it up to colorist Marta Martinez. I really like the painted look that is shown off in the book. Rodriguez even has shows a good understanding of the characters. This is evident when Grace takes Metamorpho's chopsticks and he changes one of his fingers into a spoon. The little nuances make this book.

"Batman and the Outsiders" is rapidly rising on my first read list and you should be picking it up.

Batman and the Outsiders #1

Of the DC "Trinity", I don't read the solo books of Batman. Growing up I was always a Superman fan and, since the George Perez days, a Wonder Woman fan. I never really got into Batman's solo adventures. I do, however, like seeing Batman bounce off of the other residents of the DCU. That is why you see "Superman/Batman", "Justice League of America", "Brave and the Bold", and, now, "Batman and the Outsiders on my pull list. I wasn't a huge fan of the Judd Winick "Outsiders". Nightwing never came across as strong as he did during the Wolfman/Perez Titans-era and the rest of the team didn't impress me. When I heard that Batman was taking over, I decided to give the title another try.

I was a big fan of the 80s version of "Batman and the Outsiders" and enjoyed seeing Batman quit the JLA to form his own team. While the stories were goofy and the reasons for being a team were weak, the book was a fun monthly read. The new Batman and the Outsiders has Batman establishing a team to take care of business that the JLA or JSA wouldn't want to sully their hands with. The team try out books were interesting but ultimately failed to capture the driving motivation for the team.

Writer Chuck Dixon starts "Batman and the Outsiders" on their first covert op and brings depth of character to each team member. Julian Lopez's pencils along with Bit's inking brings clean lines and outstanding visuals. I especially liked Marta Martinez's coloring. The muted colors fit the tone of the book and bring an almost painted quality to the art. Dixon looks to be taking this team in the right direction. Here's hoping that the creative team can stay together and on schedule.

With an outstanding cover by Doug Braithwaite, "Batman and the Outsiders" #1 is an excellent start to what I hope will be an outstanding team monthly from DC.