We’ve had a lot of noteworthy comics come out this week, but one in particular that’s gotten a lot of attention has been Chuck Dixon’s Batman and the Outsiders #1. A particular point of focus involves a specific scene between Batman and Thunder.
Rokk Krinn of Rokk’s Comic Book Revolution liked the issue, especially that scene:
I like how Dixon has Batman handle Thunder’s immature reaction with not being on the mission with the rest of the Outsiders. This move was a bit of commentary on Winick’s Outsiders. Winick’s Outsiders were undisciplined, uncoordinated and generally a mopey mess. Not this current version of the Outsiders. Batman is a stern leader who refuses to accept anyone on his team other than those who can carry out their role on a mission with precision and excellence. All that matters is the team as a whole and the mission at hand. Gone are the days of wallowing in one’s own self interests. Batman will make sure that anyone on his Outsiders will be willing to think of the team first over their own personal desires.
I also like how Batman totally plays Thunder as she outs both herself and Grace as lovers. You have to be one calm, cool and collected person to keep a secret from the Batman. This further demonstrated the difference between Thunder’s impulsive selfish nature with Batman’s cold and calculating personality.
EvilOmar at About Heroes thought the comic was okay but found that scene problematic:
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.
While the ISB’s Chris Sims didn’t seem to care for it much at all:
Thus, low expectations were had, and brother, low expectations were met. Aside from Julian Lopez’s art (which is actually pretty nice, especially if it was a rush job), this thing ranks a solid mediocre, pushed towards awful thanks to the fact that Metamorpho’s still rolling around in dress pants and what might be the worst attempt at tough-guy dialogue ever, “That is one bad burrito.”
Also, there’s a scene where Batman refers to a lesbian couple as having–and I quote–a “special relationship,” which is exactly the kind of squeamish metaphor that I can picture Batman using under exactly zero circumstances. And that just about sums it up, I think.
So what did you think?
November 18th, 2007 at 1:38 am
“That’s my GIRLFRIEND you kicked off the team!” — Grace to Batman in Outsiders:Five of a Kind – Wonder Woman/Grace (last page).
November 18th, 2007 at 2:55 am
That’s a euphemism, not a metaphor.
November 18th, 2007 at 9:24 am
I liked it. Liked the team members getting inside the building by using their unique abilities with Batman overseeing everything. J’onn’s entrance was the best of all.
In Five of a Kind Bats kicked Aquaman of the team for not being as good as the original. And he didn’t know Aquaman had a secret undersea transportation network. Metamorpho called him out for being rush in his decision.
Girlfriend doesn’t necessarily mean a romantic relationship.
I wonder what the reaction would be if Winnick’s name was on the cover.
Anyway I would give the issue 3/5. I will come back for more especially since the creative team was rushed.
November 18th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Very good start. I haven’t read an Outsiders issue since #3 of the last series (which by then was nothing but heroes trying to be “hardcore”), and this was what I expect from a team led by the Bat-family.
And if the art was rushed, Lopez needs to stay rushed. Very nice work, Dixon only addressed the gay issue once to just put it to rest, and continued with the story.
This creative team is better than what I expected the series to be.
November 19th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
The gay element aside, doesn’t this make Batman look like kind of a dick? After DC’s being trying to steer away from that, no less- and of course, Thunder comes off looking weak and incompetent.
I think the scene hurts both characters.
November 19th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Evidently Chris Sims has never read Bob Haney’s Metamorpho. Sure, Rex only had, what, five lines? But still, this was the truest Metamorpho since those classic days.
November 19th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
“The gay element aside, doesn’t this make Batman look like kind of a dick? After DC’s being trying to steer away from that, no less- and of course, Thunder comes off looking weak and incompetent.”
How does this make Batman come off as a jerk? He was cool and calculated. He just wanted Thunder to learn from her jump-to-conclusion tantrums. And of course he knew they were lovers, he just doesn’t care.
November 19th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
That still leaves Thunder looking bad. Does Dixon not like that character or something?
November 22nd, 2007 at 8:57 pm
“Evidently Chris Sims has never read Bob Haney’s Metamorpho.”
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!