DCU Comic Book Reviews

OUTSIDERS #48

CheckOut, Part Four

August 2007

Written by Judd Winick and Greg Rucka

Pencils by Matthew Clark and Ron Randall

Inks by Art Thibert

Cover By Mathew Clark and Art Thibert

Synopsis

[Continued from Checkmate, issue #14]

At Checkmate headquarters, Michael Holt (Mr. Terrific) shuts down the Checkmate computers after it had been reversed hacked when the Thinker had hacked the computers on Oolong Island.  With the computers down, Checkmate loses its connection to the team on the island, which is a problem since they are now surrounded by deformed robotic creatures.  Nightwing sets off an EMP pulse to disable the creatures and turns off the power.  Meanwhile, the rest of the Outsiders and Checkmate head inland for the rescue.  Thunder is able to breach the Oolong defenses and finds Nightwing and the rest.  However, the power comes back on.  Nightwing, Sasha, and Boomer are cut off from the rest of the team.  Count Vertigo grabs Thunder and Jessica Midnight and takes them to the Pequod where they make their escape.  The Immortal Man In Darkness of the Great Ten flies after them.  On the island, Nightwing, Sasha, and Boomer are then taken elsewhere so they can be examined by Chang Tzu. [Continued in Checkmate, issue #15]

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Like the previous installments in this crossover, this was a fun comic, a thoroughly entertaining read from beginning to end.  It was just one thing after another coming at the teams and you can feel the exasperation in the characters as they fight just to get to a standing position.  I hate to use the term, but it was a “page turner.”  I think my reading time for each page increased as the kinetic, frenetic pace of the plot increased, which coupled with the imminent danger for the characters on the horizon and the fact that there were no stops or pauses in the action along the way, made for an exciting comic. 

I also have to give points to the writers for toning down the Nightwing/Sasha love fest for Batman; except for one brief moment their dialogue was not about the Dark Knight.  It has been the one sore spot (for me) in this crossover.  This time, it has been left alone or at least toned down and I think it really helps with the pacing. 

Again, this definitely feels like this is Winick’s writing more than Rucka’s writing.  It has the haphazard, free-flowing style that is the hallmark of Winick’s style.  It always seems like Winick writes the Outsiders in some state of perpetual craziness, like if the team were ever to develop some semblance of order it would spontaneously combust.  I like this facet of the book; it shows that not every time people come together there are instant leaders and followers or that anyone would automatically follow what someone else does.  Plus, it is always a fun read when Winick’s characters place themselves into situations that they can’t get out of, like Thunder’s decision to crash into the tunnels and then realizing she couldn’t get back out.

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