DCU Comic Book Reviews

OUTSIDERS #31

Out-Of-Town Work

February 2006

Written by Judd Winick

Pencils by Matthew Clark

Inks by Art Thibert

Cover by Daniel Acuña

Synopsis

Donna Troy (aka Troia) has returned to Earth to recruit members to follow her into space to deal with the cosmic storm that threatens to destroy life as they know it.  She wants the Outsiders, but only Captain Marvel Jr., Jade, Starfire, and Shift.  After they leave, the rest of the Outsiders along with Katana realize they do not have a way off the island so they get on the ferry.  Arsenal asks Katana join what is left of the team and then suggest they put the hurt on the Society.  In Space, Donna Troy and the others meet with the heroes she has previously gathered only to have Captain Marvel Jr. fly off after muttering that something is wrong with magic.  The team sees a brilliant white light in space, which Starfire believes is the goddess X’Hal.  Starfire, Jade and Shift take one of Donna’s sphere to find X'Hal.  The three come under attack and Shift comes face to face with Blackfire.

Review

The best part of this issue was the conversation between Grace and Arsenal while on the boat leading out of Alcatraz.  I realize that Donna Troy’s section is probably the most pertinent to the Infinite Crisis, which is the defining mini-series right now, but it just wasn’t interesting.  Now, the part on the boat (and Arsenal’s repeated use of the word “crap”) was not only humorous (check out Thunder and Katana in the background), but also very enlightening in regards to Grace’s theory on Arsenal and Nightwing and the type of hero’s they have become, especially given who they grew up with and what they learned from them.  Personally, I think Arsenal works best when he is with Green Arrow.  For some reason, he just does not seem to click in teams, but unfortunately that is where he will probably be used the most. 

I am guessing that Captain Marvel Jr.’s weird reaction is somehow related to the death of Shazam at the hands of the Spectre, but it was not really explained. 

I will also make an assumption that the cliffhanger with Blackfire indicates the next issue will focus on the team in outer space.  I am curious to see if Arsenal and the others will also get some time or if they will disappear for a little while.  It might be best if the next issues focus on one group of the Outsiders.  I have never been a fan of split story lines, unless the plots can be connected somehow and I doubt Winick can connect Donna Troy’s “war” with Arsenal unless one counts the entire Crisis as the connection.-- MRB

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