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 #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.