A BATMAN-ON-FILM.COM Comic Book Review: "THE OUTSIDERS #15" (2/28/09)

FROM DC COMICS: "Featuring an 'Origins and Omens' backup story! Continuing where the epic BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS SPECIAL #1 left off, the mystery of who and what "The Insiders" are opens into a labyrinth of dread and deceit as The Outsiders, in their newest incarnation, follow Batman's final directives into a heart of darkness. If you've waited to pick up this title, jump on now for this exciting new era!"

“We'll be fighting in the streets
With our children at our feet
And the morals that they worship will be gone
And the men who spurred us on
Sit in judgment of all wrong
They decide and the shotgun sings the song
I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
Meet the New Boss,

Same As the Old Boss”

- The Who, Won’t Get Fooled Again from Who’s Next (1971)

Throwaway lines by a culturally sensitive character and you have a defining position on why this re-arranged, re-energised vision of the Outsiders is looking to be a success. Oh sure, it was very likely nothing more than a reference to the popular music of The Who, Rock ’n’ Roll outfit to give pause as to the fantastic musical taste of writer Peter Tomasi. Whether intended or not (I would assume not), this line speaks of the position of The Outsiders within and without DC Comics and whatever particular editorial mandates are currently in effect, as far as cross-title continuity is concerned.

In story, a reference to the similarities between Alfred and Batman as cruel taskmasters with an equivalent disposition for excessive surliness. Out of the story and with an accurate view of the failings and successes that the title has faced over its tumultuous past, it is hard to avoid the insight that identifying The Outsiders as a beleaguered individual in a totalitarian, police state brings to mind. Batman and The Outsiders has not only been weak in terms of the quality issue to issue prior but its weakness extended to its identity as a creatively helpless entity, unable to dig itself out of a hole which was not of its own making. The Outsiders has never looked stronger than it is now and Peter Tomasi deserves considerable credit for this.

This issue is basically a continuation of the set-up that began in the Special. The manner in which Tomasi writes the reformation of the group is a pleasure to behold. Alfred delivers to The Outsiders a proposition; if they agree to join up then they will be completely off the grid for prolonged periods of time. They will truly be “Outsiders”; unable to stay in touch with loved ones or friends. Again, I applaud the simple but effective insight into these characters that Tomasi possesses. By emphasising the reality and purpose of these characters (as well as the overall concept of the title), he gives that special/serious feel to silly things which was present in some of the best issues of BATO, without the crisis of self that was evident with the ill judged melodrama and plot stalling that occurred during the R.I.P. tie-ins.

In fact we get a brief but well judged excursion into the hospital ward which focuses the energy again, where it should be: on The Outsiders; on the motivation of them to fight in their ragtag style, to sacrifice, to fight evil. Instead of artificially imposing a certain vision of characters that possess “depth” only when they can go all Dawson’s Creek on us and talk about “growing” or “learning”. And ya know, not in the sense that Metamorpho went through a hell of a ride because he was in SPACE WITH ZOMBIE MONSTERS AND WAS HUNGRY LIKE JACKIE CHAN IN CITY HUNTER!!!! That’s the kind of growth that matters in The Outsiders. The beauty of exploring that broadness, unashamedly, without care for how respectable it may appear to the Ultra Violence crowd and for being a comic book first and a bad soap second, I applaud Tomasi, Garbett and Scott.

I encourage DC to maintain The Outsiders as their own unique group beyond needing the acceptance of the greater DCU or even Batman. Honestly, Batman was rarely an asset to the story telling; ESPECIALLY when the Batman featured in BATO was required to link up with the Batman in the monthlies.

So let it be known that The Outsiders has grown some backbone; self-assured of its own creative ability like Pete Townsend in the middle of a windmill. Tomasi and co. are making sure that we won’t have to get on our knees and pray we don’t get fooled again.

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.