But even back then, I preferred the solo Batman tales and usually only bought and read BATMAN and DETECTIVE. Every once in a while I’d broaden my horizons and check out titles such as JUSTICE LEGUE OF AMERICA, THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD, and WORLD’ FINEST, but only because Batman was in it.

Thinking back -- and aided by rummaging through my comic book collection -- I don’t’ recall reading BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS back in the day; although I’m sure I probably did. On the other hand, I may not have since I was in high school in the early 80s, a football jock, and it wasn't "cool" to read comics.

Isn't peer pressure a bitch? Anyway...

When DC decided to revive the title late last year, I figured that I’d give a go despite the fact its concept goes against my personal Batman tastes.

A lot of you folks who are reading this review right now, probably know more about Batman and his relationship with The Outsiders than I do. In fact, several of the charcters found in the first three issues I was completely clueless about. For example, Katana, Thunder, Grace, and Geo Force -- don’t know a thing about them.

Although I now know that Thunder (Black Lightening’s daughter) and Grace (one of Amazonian decent) have a “special relationship.” But I shall digress.

I’m not going to get into plot details other than to say that the first three issues detail the team breaking into Jardine Towers and subsequently taking on an OMAC. All the while, The Batman’s primary role is that of the strategist who oversees the operation.

What I like about BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS is that it isn’t The Justice League. I’ve simply never been a fan of DC’s #1 superhero team for no other reason than I don’t like it when Batman mixes it up with super-powered beings. The JL was always too bright and sci-fi for my liking.

“But The Outsiders has super-powered members too, you hypocrite!” I can hear you JLA saying now. Yes, that’s true, but there’s just something different about this group. Maybe it’s because this team is a little rough around the edges. Maybe it’s due to the fact that they seem to have a bit of a dark streak makes them more palatable to my tastes.

Kind of like Batman himself.

Also of note, Julian Lopez’s pencils are nice. As a Batman fan, an artist’s depiction of Batman is the first thing I look at and I like Lopez’s Batman. His Batman is straight-up Batman -- none of that “I’m going to doing something goofy when I draw Batman to put my stamp on him” stuff here.

While I haven’t been overwhelmed with BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS so far, it has entertained me enough for me to continue reading. Having Chuck Dixon writting it certainly doesn’t hurt because this man knows Batman.

Hopefully Mr. Dixon doesn’t have any “Batman…IN SPACE!” moments on the horizon because that’s a surefire way to get this reader to hit the eject button.