A BATMAN-ON-FILM.COM Comic Book Review: "BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #14" (12/22/08)

FROM DC COMICS: "In the wake of 'BATMAN R.I.P.,' the Outsiders have come to a crossroads. The team splinters apart, confused and unsure without their leader. Shunned by her former teammates, Batgirl turns to one of the only people she can trust – Nightwing. But the two soon realize they have very different views on keeping the legacy of Batman alive."

"Now that your picture's in the paper being rhythmically admired and you can have anyone that you have ever desired, all you gotta tell me now is why, why, why, why.
Welcome to the workin' week. Oh I know it don't thrill you, I hope it don't kill you. Welcome to the workin' week. You gotta do it till you're through it so you better get to it.
All of your family had to kill to survive, and they're still waitin' for their big day to arrive. But if they knew how I felt they'd bury me alive.
Welcome to the workin' week. Oh I know it don't thrill you, I hope it don't kill you. Welcome to the workin' week. You gotta do it till you're through it so you better get to it.
I hear you sayin', "Hey, the city's alright, when you only read about it in books. Spend all your money gettin' so convinced that you never even bother to look. Sometimes I wonder if we're livin' in the same land, Why d'you wanna be my friend when I feel like a juggler running out of hands?

Welcome to the workin' week, oh, welcome to the working week."

- Elvis Costello, “Welcome To The Working Week from My Aim is True” (1977)

With the "conclusion" of “Batman R.I.P,” I had foolishly hoped that BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS would be allowed to return to its own little world. There is no obtrusive “R.I.P.” banner attached to issue #14 of this troubled series. Even in the absence of a direct tie-in however, the virus of continuity leaves a title otherwise unconcerned with the goings on in the main DCU titles with a commitment to continue on with the implications of “R.I.P.” Why oh why are we again led down the path of "What would Gotham be like without Batman?" Well by gosh, golly, what would Gotham do without Batman?

Staying in the B's, perhaps they could call the following:

Barin, Barry Allen (having returned from the dead), B'dg, Beast Boy, Betty Clawman, Bibbo Bibowski, Black Canary, Black Lightning, Blue Beetle, Bumblebee and of course Batgirl.

Even taking into account that not all of the above derive their abilities from supernatural means, the sheer number of heroes that could be called on to protect Gotham City (a city primarily populated by ordinary, "natural" villains) is so large that it begs the question why can't the above get the job done of one man? Is it because of Batman's intelligence that must surpass all of the other heroes in the DCU by about 1000 to 1? Or is it those shady "key characteristics" that cannot be altered by context, no matter how contradictory? Batman seems very much like Bez from The Happy Mondays in this situation. Seeing as he can't sing or play any other instrument, he just rocks on stage with the maracas, freaky dancin'. Perhaps though it is just the demands of the higher brass, making us want to consider this latest event to be one of substance.

For the second month, Batgirl is shown pursuing the components that would help her replace The Batman. Batgirl has a brief altercation with Nightwing and we see an amusing few panels featuring The Riddler aiding Gordon in a murder case. As far as the artwork goes, this is the most impressive outing for BATO in a good many months. The layout is effective and there are a couple of pages later in the issue, dealing with the return of Azrael, (the Suit of Sorrows having been stolen from the Batcave in #11) which are impressive.

The story is the end result of a continuity mandate. The writers seem desperate that we take this title seriously; that Batman and the Outsiders can also be a heavyweight and serious affair. They too can deal with the R.I.P. story arc in just as artful a way as any of the others. Perhaps we will eventually see the title return to its World of Oz but if the seeds planted this month are any indication, that does not seem too likely.

So “BATMAN. R.I.P.” has come and gone, like a syphilitic old pervert, forever scarring his (paid) sleeping partners with a prolonged death sentence. This title has been altered at its foundations because and only because of cross-over continuity. The Gotham depicted in this issue is similar to a couple who break up every six months. And every six months they tell you, "IT'S OVER! MY LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!!" and then they get back together and the cycle starts all over again, until eventually you just don't care.

The quandary that Gotham finds itself in is similarly hollow. What's more, even if it wasn't, who would really think that such a thing would be concluded inside the pages of Batman and the Outsiders? It sounds such a rational thing to state that one does not write off any story simply because of the context in which it takes place. The context in which this story is attempting to play out, is one of the reasons why it is not working. The effects of continuity forced the hand of the title and it has left it altered and inferior. Bringing back Azrael in some capacity should be a clear sign to all that this arc is heading the way of ‘KNIGHTFALL.”

Where has BATO benefited from the “R.I.P.” arc? Maybe they should just bring back Metamorpho and have him say "Who farted?" on every page. I for one would prefer it to this.

Paul Casey has been contributing to music sites for the past four years with considerable success.
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.