Batman and the Outsiders #1 // Review
After much delay, the long-awaited title finally makes it debut while bringing back an old fan favorite team back from obscurity in the process. Bryan Hill and Dexter Soy deliver an explosive introduction for this new run. Previously seeding this title during his time on Detective Comics, Hill continues to work out this latest iteration of the team and even leaving room for older members to make a return as well. Previously on Red Hood, Soy has been doing magnificent pencil work on the title, and this issue is very much more of the same. Teased initially way back in Dark Days The Forge, the much-anticipated return and debut of the title have had fans chomping at the bit for well over a year.
With a father and daughter stuck down in a car accident, metahuman abilities make themselves known to a brand new character as she escapes from her near assassination. With more huge secrets coming into the light, her importance shall become more evident within the following issues. Meanwhile, the new team continues to work together albeit on very shaky grounds. Black Lightning tries to find his voice within the leadership role of the group while working closer with Katana. As an old villain makes a reappearance, he stakes claim over the new meta as his own.
With the added time, the art of Dexter Soy absolutely flourishes with this title. From a colorful cast of characters to play with alongside his beautifully kinetic action sequences, Soy has the perfect sensibilities for this series. Having worked on Red Hood and the Outlaws previously, Soy feels right at home with yet another Bat-title. Veronica Gandini adds the finishing touches with her stunning color works across a Gotham evening.
Never talking down to his audience, Bryan Hill assumes readers either already know of the team or are willing to join along for the ride and learn the nuances as they come across them. With the organization previously established during Hill’s run on Detective Comics, a lot of the initial setup for this new team is simply unnecessary. Batman fans will rejoice as this new wing of the Bat-family makes their return to the DCU and bring about a new era for this classic team.
With no considerable revelation behind the debut issue as well as being a lesser known team in today’s market, it is up to Batman fanatics to keep this title alive. Accompanied by a handful of the newer characters established within the Bat-mythos recently, this series has something to offer new and old readers alike. New fans of James Tynion IV’s time with Detective Comics will find this to be a spiritual successor to the beloved run with the Bat family.
Grade: B
