In my previous review I spoke about the potential that
THE OUTSIDERS had in being an engaging long form narrative, constructed by Mr. Tomasi as he indulged in some superhero team fun that had both entertaining and exciting prospects!
Talk of such potential is best left to that last review and out of this current analysis.
The current issue (#21) is brought into the goings on of the “Batman Reborn” era, and it appears as though Mr. Tomasi is left with a choice, either…
1) Juggle his own story while attempting to fit it into the “Batman Reborn” universe (which often results in sub par results for both scenarios), or 2) Just jump in head first into “Batman Reborn” and do as the editorial team command. It is clear that Mr Tomasi has opted for the latter. Here Mr. Tomasi goes for what will give the book the best singular narrative, making the story as comprehensive as possible.
Unfortunately the outcome of this issue is full of the type of problems which are the trademark of the situations brought about by forced crossovers.
The first part of this story attempts to explain why the previous direction of the title is no longer the current status. This is done in the form of Alfred basically telling his team to F* Off and fend for themselves, while still doing what he tells them to do. It is this sequence which feels forced, unnatural and out of place, making the reader’s introduction to the new status unpleasant and unwelcomed.
The plot for the remainder of the issue and issues to follow is then established with the role of The Outsiders being to round up the escaped Arkham inmates that high-tailed it out Gotham during the “Battle for the Cowl” story. The team splits up and attempts to track down Mr Freeze, Killer Croc and Clayface, with Owlman and Black Lightning’s pursuit of Mr Freeze taking up the majority of the second half of the book.
Granted, once the overt explanation for the shift in the titles direction is explained, the Freeze, Lighting and Owl sequences offer some moments of entertainment. Freeze is one of my least favourite rogues, and Mr. Tomasi makes him relatively interesting to me here, as well as giving him a “Freeze-Cave” to work out of, which was fun to explore. However, when the first half of the book is as jarring as this one was it is difficult to roll with whatever comes after as everything feels forced due to the context in which it is placed.
Mr. Tomasi’s view of this diversion from his planned Outsiders story is also brought up in a conversation between Owlman and Black Lightning, with the discussion covering the uncertainty of the future of that story as well as the expectation that he will return to it again one day. Then just like his story, the discussion is interrupted abruptly with a massive ice block smashing into the middle of them, just like “Reborn” did into THE OUTSIDERS
The art in this issue was completed by Fernando Pasarin , who was one of the artists on part five of The Outsiders previous arc “The Deep”. I feel very mixed about the art in this issue. There is an inconsistency in how Mr Pasarin draws the characters here, with Alfred receiving the worst treatment. In some panels he looks like the most iconic Alfred I have ever seen, with it not even needing to be presented in the context of a Batman book in order to tell who the character is....and in other panels he looks more like Charles Bronson. It is when these deviations occur, that it draws the reader out of the story, thus resulting in the art doing a disservice to the story being told. This is the down side to photo reference art. But M.r Pasarin also manages to draw the best Creeper I have ever seen. So, on his art I am mixed, with my current stance being more towards a negative perception,
At the end of the day, this story is what it is: A peripheral title that is drawn into an event of their mother title. Mr. Tomasi has proven in the past that he is capable of working within such restraints and producing fantastic work (i.e. NIGHTWING), unfortunately this is not the case with THE OUTSIDERS #21.
OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS: "'The Hunting' begins here! With Arkham Asylum's most dangerous inmates running free, The Outsiders are charged with returning them to Gotham City – by whatever means necessary. Batman and Alfred split up the team in order to track down Killer Croc, Mr. Freeze and Clayface before the rogues kill again!"
