DCU Comic Book Reviews

BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #4

Mission:  Creep

April 2008

Written by Chuck Dixon

Pencils by Julian Lopez

Inks by Bit

Covers by Doug Braithwaite

Synopsis

Now...in French Guiana, Green Arrow joins the Outsiders at the request of Batman, but he is not thrilled to be on the same team as Batgirl, former leader of the league of assassins.  Then...Batman examines the data stolen from Jardine and learns they are created new animal species capable of living only in outer space.  Now...the Outsiders approach a spaceport to stop the launch of shuttle containing Jardine’s experiments.  Elsewhere, Thunder gets ready for her part of the mission and she will be joined by Remac, who can shapeshift into anyone.  In the jungle, Batman encounters two strange people who offer their help while Green Arrow and Batgirl decide to settle their differences with fisticuffs.  At the spaceport, Jardine prepares to protect his investment with hired costume mercenaries.  When the authorities threaten to stop the launch, a Remac kills the director and takes his place by assuming his appearance.  Meanwhile, the Outsiders approach the spaceport but the mercenaries have the team in the sights. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

So far, I think Dixon has done a great job of taking the title from its rocky start to a good action-filled book that it is slowly becoming.  Except for the nitpicks below, I am enjoying this title.  I think once Dixon gets the team he wants and a storyline that can fit the team he has in mind, this should shape up to be a great book rather than just the good book that it is now. 

Chuck Dixon is a veteran comic book writer.  He has written a number of titles over the years, many of them related to the Batman universe.  I think it is safe to say that he probably understands the conventions of comic books.  And I think that explains this issue.  The fight between Green Arrow and Batgirl is the standard two heroes meet and fight over a misunderstanding and then reluctantly agree to team up together.  It is a cliché and very tedious.  And I think Dixon recognizes this, which may explain why the fight seems so perfunctory and doesn’t develop into anything (Actually, the fight more or less accomplishes the task of taking away Batgirl’s full mask so that we can now she her mouth).  The shift in Green Arrow’s attitude toward Batgirl occurs suddenly and doesn’t seemed to based on anything other than hitting Batgirl and killing an alligator (or crocodile). 

Hey, look, we get another member to the Outsiders without any explanation of what they are doing on the team.  What exactly is Green Arrow doing with the team.  Yeah, I know, Batman asked, but c’mon there has to be a reason why Ollie would accept or why Batman would ask.  It might not bother me that much if it weren’t for the fact that Batgirl’s appearance has not be explained, either.  You can’t just toss people into the book without explanation. 

What was the deal with the mysterious duo that met Batman in the jungle?  It is not that we don’t learn anything about them, that part is perfectly reasonable.  What struck me as weird is that the scene seems to be cut off rather abruptly.  Yes, Batman recognizes them and the smile suggests he is happy to see them, but beyond that, why do they think they can help, why would they risk the Batman’s wrath by showing up unannounced?  And a whole host of other questions.  Another page of dialogue would help. 

 

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