Batman and the Outsiders # 1 Review
Author: Chuck Dixon
Penciler: Julian Lopez
Inker: Bit
Colors: Marta Martinez
Do you remember the original solicitations for this book? Tony Bedard was to be the writer and Koi Turnbull was the artist attach to the book. Hell, even the ads in previews for issue 3 had both of them as the creative team behind the book. At the last minute for some creator difference DC replaced the team with Chuck Dixon and Julian Lopez. And when I say last minute, I mean this book is a couple of weeks late because both Dixon and Lopez were rushed to get this out on time. Is it a smooth transition from Bedard's cliffhanger to Dixon's opening story? Not really, but it is still a fun comic.
The team is introduced one by one through Batman's monitors. Showcasing their special abilities and what they add to the team. Thunder is the only team member who stays behind with Batman and just watches through his monitors. He seems to think that she is useless and has no place on the Outsiders. Of course she is going to prove him wrong! Even if it kills her. Turns out that Jardine was hiding an Omac in one of his headquarters.
Lopez artwork is very slick and clean and in the end helps enhance the story to make it more enjoyable. At times his art can be a bit repetitive and when you have a story like this it seems to dull it a bit. It was an okay start; enough to get me excited about the possible future of this title. The only big problem I had with the book was the confrontation with Batman and Thunder. Why the hell couldn't the world's best detective not be able to tell the difference between good friends and lovers? Come on Bats, I'm sure you've had your share of lesbians at those crazy Wayne manor parties. Not a great start, but I'll hang in there and see what happens. B-
