THE OUTSIDERS #18 Author: Paul Casey Sunday, May 31, 2009 EDITOR'S NOTE: Anyone who thinks that BOF and any of the writers Jett trusts to write comic book reviews (or anything else for that matter) has an agenda is 100% right. The agenda here is to call 'em like we see 'em. If any of our reviews and/or op-eds offends you from time to time...GOOD! Really! - Bill Ramey, Founder of BATMAN-ON-FILM.COM OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS: "'The Deep' part 4 of 6. The Outsiders finally discover what The Insiders are searching for thanks to the help of a long lost being known only as 'The Outkast.' And the ensuing battle may take them to the very center of the earth itself!" This is the most beautiful issue of THE OUTSIDERS to date. From the layout to the rich colours, Lee Garbett, Trevor Scott and Brian Reber have produced the most imaginative and visually impressive entry in this title’s history. Apart from these visual achievements, issue 18 of TO signifies the continuing and unassailable ability of this team to hit creative pay dirt. Part 4 of “The Deep” begins with an exquisitely presented insight into the origin of the underground terrors whose interests are abnormally centered and eternal life and such things. This also, through no forced means, presents some Metamorpho silliness/back-story to contrast with what could become a po-faced exercise in Serious Villainy. Luckily, Tomasi and his friends know never to go back down that road, Coma Victims or not! If you want schooling in how to incorporate meaningful but exciting action sequences, then you would do well to pay attention to TO. This entire issue is essentially all action but all sequences, whether it is the stunning space sequence or the assassination (?) of an immortal, everything is concerned with the pay-off to the ongoing story. What’s more, Alfred has balls of steel. Balls of steel I say! His Vulcan like prowess in battle calls for a permanent replacement of The Batman with the butler. Deathstroke fits in well, primarily because his appearance has a purpose directly linked to the progression of the story. He is not simply a nod to fans or a set-up for some future crossover. The panels, which see him using his sensual gun-based skills, are elegantly grimy. Violence…Hurrah! This is a special mention given for the final page. This is how you do a badass, we’re all gonna kick your Bootsy Collins in the next issue, look at the combined coolness of this particular superhero conglomerate and we’re serious about our levity kinda thing. Tomasi is Dr. Funkenstein, the Disco Fiend with the Monster Sound. The Cool Ghoul with the Bump Transplant. “I’d love to funk you Funkenstein, your funk is the best.” Paul Casey sometimes writes things that you read. He reads BATMAN ON FILM and has somehow wormed his way into being part of the BOF team. He resides in his house. BATMAN ON FILM, © 1998-present William E. Ramey. All rights reserved. BATMAN AND ALL RELATED CHARACTERS AND ELEMENTS ARE TRADEMARKS OF AND © DC COMICS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.