Author: Paul Casey
Monday, October 20, 2008
FROM DC COMICS: "A "Batman R.I.P." tie-in! Deception, dissension and death…the final issue of the 'OUTSIDERS NO MORE' story spells the end of the line for one of the team's members. But will it mean the end for the team itself?"
To say that the "death" of Salah Miandad is inconsequential is being kind to the latest issue of BATO. To say that the strained construction of issue #12 of this title achieves any sense of suspense is being more than a little deluded. From early on in this issue there is a depressingly mediocre attempt to make more of this sordid affair than there plainly is. Utilising a non-linear narrative, to perhaps make one wonder if Thunder will live or not, or more importantly: Why should I care either way?
I would put forward to you, my friends and comrades, that you should not care. This is a vapid, shallow attempt to reverse-engineer an emotional connection for these characters in its readership. From the detestable attempt at pre-school Theology/Philosophy -as seen by Grace's dull and irrelevant monologue to the heavens- to the equally regrettable efforts to manufacture tension between The Outsiders, this is an example of working against everything appealing in these characters.
The absurdity and extremes of these characters need not be a mark against BATO. Instead of treating The Outsiders as the B-List, quirky, off-beat troupe they seemed destined to become only a couple of issues ago, we have dour faced and Emotionally Scarred diatribe in a hospital waiting room that could fit into the worst of Day-Time Television. Again confirming my loathing of cross-overs of this kind, this also asserts the notion that the writers of BATO can't quite decide what they're aiming for.
Every time that The Outsiders are treated with more "weight" or "importance" by the writers giving them heart-felt and pseudo-philosophical dialogue to spew at each other, you undermine everything that The Outsiders are. You also make them seem more shallow, more ridiculous and pointless in a DC Universe of countless heroes. You can't write Camp Sci-Fi orientated B-Movie schlock by being ashamed of what you are. Likewise, you can't write BATO and be ashamed of what you are. The Outsiders feels now, something like the not too recent Alien vs Predator sequel. Obviously taking much of its tone and foundations from the B-Movie mentality but afraid to be pegged as such, the film removes its interesting B-Movie/Exploitation core that gives the film its individuality and replaces it with bland and shitty action movie plot points.
Every panel in issue 12 of BATO feels like the writers wished that they had more "substantial" characters on which to peg their musings on life. Refusing to realise that there is more meaning in accepting and amplifying the "camp" that exists in almost every character on the team, rather than emphasising dialogue that would sound strained coming out of a Superman/Lois Lane coma disaster, means that BATO may simply implode before it ever reaches its potential. With Batman theoretically removed from the equation, you no longer have the same restraints with how you utilize The Outsiders.
Make it big. Make it silly, willfully stupid and unashamedly over the top. Make it trashy as hell and completely ignorant of any continuity but its own. Go "camp" but go all the way. Use inappropriate humour but go all the way. Don't hold back. Make enemies.
His work has been featured on Jon Hunt and John Lane's legendary resource for The Beach Boys' lost album "Smile," The Smile Shop, which morphed into a broader Sunshine Pop/Rare Music Site following the release of Brian Wilson's "Smile" in 2004.
Although specialising in music, Paul Casey has a keen interest in the world of comic books.
"Paul Casey writes for FOURPERCENTPANTOMINE.COM.
He resides in his house.
