Dixon Shakes Up "Outsiders" Right Off the Bat

[CBR News]

Veteran Bat-book writer Chuck Dixon may have come late to the game but he told CBR News, fear not, he is making "Batman and the Outsiders" his very own.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=12373

[Billage]

I'd rather have J'onn stay and have Grace leave.

[HotRod_Tim]

I wish that he was keeping Catwoman and J'onn on the team, but I guess if other fav characters like Geo-Force and Green Arrow are joining the team (by the way, thanks for spoiling those additions Dixon) then I'll still give it a try.

[Fatguy]

Damn, that sucks :( J'onn was my biggest deciding factor on picking this up. He better be joining the JLA then...

Having Martian Manhunter just sit in limbo is extremely stupid, imho.

[brett tolino]

I dropped the Winick version of the Outsiders shortly after sampling and had no intention of picking up this new version... until Dixon was announced on the book. Having a professional who tells great, original stories like Mr. Dixon adds a certain stamp of authenticity to the book. His ideas sound very compelling and exciting so I'm on board.

Gee, how quickly things can change. From not buying to must buy.

[Captain Jim]

Damn, that sucks :( J'onn was my biggest deciding factor on picking this up. He better be joining the JLA then...

Having Martian Manhunter just sit in limbo is extremely stupid, imho.

He hasn't been in limbo; check out Checkmate.

[Captain Jim]

I wish that he was keeping Catwoman and J'onn on the team...

I suspect this was dictated from above.

[CMBMOOL]

I rather have Thunder Leave and Jonn stay because Bruce and Ollie may get on each others nerves without some outsider who can seperate them. :(

Besides I hate to admit it but Thunder's powers are just stupid to be used in battle. :(

[Mia]

No idea Chuck was on this book. Too bad Catwoman is leaving. It would be a blast seeing him write her again. By the way with what issue does he start?

[Rattlehead]

No idea Chuck was on this book. Too bad Catwoman is leaving. It would be a blast seeing him write her again. By the way with what issue does he start?

It's a complete relaunch of the title. It begins as "Batman and the Outsiders" #1. Out this week too.

[IamtheRock3]

wow that going to make any trades seem awkward

when they make a switch

[banana91]

I've never ever read any Outsiders stuff. Do you think that this might be at all confusing based on that? Or is it going to be mostly new stuff?

[dreyga2000]

I've never ever read any Outsiders stuff. Do you think that this might be at all confusing based on that? Or is it going to be mostly new stuff?

It's diffently gonna be new stuff... If you're gonna jump I would suggest now

[Nate Palm]

Batgirl? Man I had finally given up on DC doing anything with Cassandra. Now they wave this in front of me. *sigh* Fine, I'll bite just one more time. Let's see what becomes of it.

[Brack360]

I am very much looking forward to this series and having Dixon back on a Batbook. While I was really looking forward to seeing Catwoman on a super-hero team for the first time, I feel that Batgirl is a better choice because Catwoman already has her own series. I can't wait to see Batgirl back in a regular book again and hope Dixon is able to redeem her character.

[Fatguy]

He hasn't been in limbo; check out Checkmate.

Does he have a regular gig in that book now?

If so, I have been wanting to try Checkmate for forever, it would definitely be the thing to finally get me to give it a go.

[Babylon23]

If so, I have been wanting to try Checkmate for forever, it would definitely be the thing to finally get me to give it a go.

Checkmate is easily one of DC's best books. I'd definitely recommend checking it out.

As for Outsiders, I wish DC would have given Dixon a bit more time to work out the kinks and present the team that he wants to use before launching the series. While I'm not a big fan of his writing, I am interested in this relaunch, mainly because I'm a fan of the original Barr/Aparo series. I'd prefer Dixon be given the time to work out the setup the book and who he wants on his team. From the sounds of things, the book is going to launch in a total state of flux, and probably won't find it's footing until a few issues in, when Dixon has had more time to develop his approach to the series.

Having said that, I'm all for Geo-Force joining the team. With Batman, Katana, Geo-Force and Metamorpho, this is looking more and more like an outsiders team I can get behind.

[bert]

hmmm. . . no backlash against Bats outing Grace and Thunder as a couple?

this was a NEW development, yes?

[Captain Jim]

I wish DC would have given Dixon a bit more time to work out the kinks and present the team that he wants to use before launching the series. While I'm not a big fan of his writing, I am interested in this relaunch, mainly because I'm a fan of the original Barr/Aparo series. I'd prefer Dixon be given the time to work out the setup the book and who he wants on his team. From the sounds of things, the book is going to launch in a total state of flux, and probably won't find it's footing until a few issues in, when Dixon has had more time to develop his approach to the series.


The problem is, they had already published the Outsiders: Five of a Kind books, as well as Outsiders #50, that set up the new team as Bedard planned it. They couldn't pretend these books didn't exist.

[Babylon23]

The problem is, they had already published the Outsiders: Five of a Kind books, as well as Outsiders #50, that set up the new team as Bedard planned it. They couldn't pretend these books didn't exist.

Fair point. I'm just a big fan of teams changing members so quickly. Hopefully Dixon will be able to make something interesting out of this.

[Captain Jim]

http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showpost.php?p=5841044&postcount=271

[Chuck Dixon]

Is it safe here?
I just got bitch-slapped all over the neighborhood over on Gail's board.
Shh.
Don't want any of them following me.

[Dazzler]

Is it safe here?
I just got bitch-slapped all over the neighborhood over on Gail's board.
Shh.
Don't want any of them following me.

Hey, Chuck.
Followed you. You can't always get what you want.
Don't worry, not staying (and not sending the others here with pitchforks). Just wanted to freak you out.

Hey, at least in this thread, they seem to be more into your book.
That's a good thing for you.

Have fun.

--Dazz

[Balac]

Is it safe here?


It's mostly safe. The crazy fights here are more about what is in the comics rather then getting into the creators personal lives. Welcome, always good to see one of my favorite creators dropping in.

[carabas]

I didn't like the book at all.

Katana being all kill-krazy all of a sudden, especially when on a mission for Batman struck me as kinda odd.
I never understood why it was decided that Thunder should be more or less incompetent all of a sudden. She never was before Bedard started writing.
I also found it odd that Brussels looked a lot more like a Middle-Eastern small town rather than one of the largets metropolises of Europe.

And as for Batman, his portrayal is a couple of years out of date. The Goddamn Batdick went away with Infinite Crisis, he's supposed to be less harsh, at least with the people he works with.

[saintsaucey]

i liked it was not planning on picking up the book with the relaunch because of financial reasons. i chose to do so anyway due to the art and then found out that dixon would be writing it. loved his nightwing year one and green arrow one year later. Am looking forward to seeing the series progress. i don't think thunder's power is bad in battle. think of ted or elle in heroes thats the kind of stuff i would like to see (Batman) "Ever heard of an electromagnetic pulse? Burn White not hot"

[Pól Rua]

I'm very glad to hear this. I think Chuck Dixon has proved himself as a solid, capable writer, and he definitely has more than enough experience to take on a series like this.
I don't think the dropping of Catwoman and J'Onn was editorially mandated. It strikes me as something much more along the lines of a writer looking at the line-up and just thinking, "I got no real ideas for these characters. Maybe the original guy had some grand scheme, but I got nothin'... what the hell, clean slate."
I really hope this title succeeds, because it's got the potential to be a good solid superhero team book. Hopefully, DiDio keeps his greasy mitts off it.

[cactusmaac]

Chuck said at YABS that Catwoman and J'Onn leaving was an editorial decision.

[Jmacq1]

They just announced this morning on Newsarama that the content for issue #3 has changed, and seem to say that #4 will be changing as well.

Does that mean no Batgirl and Green Arrow? Because if so (particularly the former), that also means none of my money going to this title.

[Chuck Dixon]

Content for #3 and #4 changed?
That's news to me.
I was asked to write #3 as close to the solicit as possible. So the Outsiders do encounter some of the JLA.
I had no mandates for #4 so can't say on that one.
MM and Catwoman did indeed have to leave the team because of continuity demands in other venues. I didn't abandon them just because I'm throwing out what everyone before me laid down. I don't diss my fellow writers or the original series' loyal fans in that manner.
And Thunder's membership was in question before I got here. This is one I inherited.

[Balac]

This kind of says something about that sad nature of the net community these days. Look at all the grumbling from fans (myself included) about how Batgirl has been treated since her book died. Now she's going to be in the hands of a writer who has an established history with the character and knows how to use her. One would think this might drum up some excitement and positive buzz. Instead there is negativity and personal attacks (though not on this forum thank goodness). Lame, very lame.

Well I'm picking it up and very much looking forward to seeing what Dixon does on Robin. Will be nice to get that back on my pull list again.

[shaunyc56]

Content for #3 and #4 changed?
That's news to me.
I was asked to write #3 as close to the solicit as possible. So the Outsiders do encounter some of the JLA.
I had no mandates for #4 so can't say on that one.
MM and Catwoman did indeed have to leave the team because of continuity demands in other venues. I didn't abandon them just because I'm throwing out what everyone before me laid down. I don't diss my fellow writers or the original series' loyal fans in that manner.
And Thunder's membership was in question before I got here. This is one I inherited.

Will you be keeping Thunder, maybe let her grow into a more experienced hero under batman's tutelage? I don't mind her being a novice, (the way you portrayed her), just not an idiot.

[Chuck Dixon]

I like Thunder a lot as a character (even tho' she's entirely new to me) and am having fun with her. Her uncertain situation with the Outsiders is making for some great grist.

[carabas]

Will you be keeping Thunder, maybe let her grow into a more experienced hero under batman's tutelage? I don't mind her being a novice, (the way you portrayed her), just not an idiot.I'd rather that she remembered that while she may not have Batman's level of expertice (then again, who has?), she quit being a novice a couple years ago

[Chiroptera]

Very sad to see Selina have to leave the team. I was hoping to see Chuck revitalize her and bring back a little of the old Catwoman I know and love... I'm not so big on the angsty over-emotional far less playful cat of her modern comics. Still, Outsiders looks like it's got some potential so I'll stick with it a couple more issues and see if it can get my attention more.

[Captain Jim]

Does that mean no Batgirl and Green Arrow? Because if so (particularly the former), that also means none of my money going to this title.


BATO #4 --

http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/Feb08/1/BMOUT_Cv4_solicit.jpg

[Babylon23]

MM and Catwoman did indeed have to leave the team because of continuity demands in other venues. I didn't abandon them just because I'm throwing out what everyone before me laid down. I don't diss my fellow writers or the original series' loyal fans in that manner.

Thanks for the clarification. It seemed a little strange given the buildup with the lead-in specials for 2 of the high profile members to disappear so quickly.

I'm definitely looking forward to the arrival of Ollie and Brion.

[bert]

I like Thunder a lot as a character (even tho' she's entirely new to me) and am having fun with her. Her uncertain situation with the Outsiders is making for some great grist.

I hope we see you back at Gail's YABS board.

we have a wonderful "ignore" feature here on CBR for those posters that just won't back off :)

bert

[mattx110]

Hey cool, Oliver Queen is my height there. Or Cassie is standing on a box...
Either way, nice cover. And I'm happy about Chuck taking back some DC titles. It's been too long without some Dixon Bat-work.

[Nate Palm]

Hey cool, Oliver Queen is my height there. Or Cassie is standing on a box...
Either way, nice cover. And I'm happy about Chuck taking back some DC titles. It's been too long without some Dixon Bat-work.

heh. I made a similar comment on another forum.

I don't know why but character size and height are an art pet peeve of mine. It seems so many artist only have two body types. One for a guy and one for a girl. So everyone ends up being the exact same size in their respective genders. I mean Batgirl(assuming it's Cassandra Cain) is like around what? 5' 4" and 105lbs? Green Arrow would tower over her.

I enjoyed the first issue, Chuck. Keep it good and I'll keep reading it.

[Chuck Dixon]

I noticed the height thing too.
On the interiors I am a darned watchdog on the height and body-type thing.
Batgirl is properly petite and Grace and Thunder's height difference is in the right ratio.

[Cayman]

Deathstroke obviously mind-controlled Batgirl into wearing lifts.

[Paul Dee]

I wasn't going to get this as I'm not overly keen on Super team up books for some reason but I like the idea of missions as capers with only the right people being selected for the job and the possibility of Green Arrow written properly is more than enough to sway me.

[mattx110]

there's nothing wrong with a 5'7, 5'8 Green Arrow... Does he really need to be 6'1 to shoot arrows?

[Batman was taken]

If you made their heights proportional on the cover, you'd have a huuuuuge white space over Batgirl's head... which wouldn't look good at all.

[Cayman]

If you made their heights proportional on the cover, you'd have a huuuuuge white space over Batgirl's head... which wouldn't look good at all.

Batgirl could've been holding a helium balloon to fill that space.

[devildinosaur]

I dropped the Winick version of the Outsiders shortly after sampling and had no intention of picking up this new version... until Dixon was announced on the book. Having a professional who tells great, original stories like Mr. Dixon adds a certain stamp of authenticity to the book. His ideas sound very compelling and exciting so I'm on board.

Gee, how quickly things can change. From not buying to must buy.

Same here. If Dixon's in the credits, it's an automatic purchase for me.

[Nate Palm]

I noticed the height thing too.
On the interiors I am a darned watchdog on the height and body-type thing.
Batgirl is properly petite and Grace and Thunder's height difference is in the right ratio.

It's never a deal breaker for me, but it's cool to know you do keep an eye on that type of thing.

there's nothing wrong with a 5'7, 5'8 Green Arrow... Does he really need to be 6'1 to shoot arrows?

I agree there's nothing wrong with a 5'8" Green Arrow, but I was working under the assumption that he's six feet tall(a quick DC database check shows him being 5'11"). Height aside, I still think Batgirl's body type is too large in that cover.

[kel25]

To be honest, I really don't care for the majority of the characters on this team. I flat out despise Grace. I like Batman but I prefer him in Gotham with Batfamily characters. It is Batgirl being in the book that does interest me and is the only reason I am debating to pick this series up.

If this was being written by just about anyone else there would be no question about it. I would avoid this book like the plague. Because it's Dixon I am on the fence. He pens great stories but I really don't care for the majority of the characters on the team.

[Samuraixsithlord]

prbably not the right place to ask this, but does anyone have any spoilers for issue #2 or do they know of a site that has them. I've been waiting to find out about Batgirl all week and i can't stand it anymore.

[Captain Jim]

prbably not the right place to ask this, but does anyone have any spoilers for issue #2 or do they know of a site that has them. I've been waiting to find out about Batgirl all week and i can't stand it anymore.

I don't think Batgirl is in the 2nd issue, but Newsarama previews the first several pages of #2 here (http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/Nov07/previews/28th.html). (Scroll to second title.)

[Samuraixsithlord]

I don't think Batgirl is in the 2nd issue, but Newsarama previews the first several pages of #2 here (http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/Nov07/previews/28th.html). (Scroll to second title.)

it says that a new member will be showing up near the end of the issue, and that not everyone is happy about it. So its safe to say that she'll be showing up.

[Captain Jim]

it says that a new member will be showing up near the end of the issue, and that not everyone is happy about it. So its safe to say that she'll be showing up.

Ok, I double checked the solicitiation and I think you're right. It's probably just the last panel or so, though.

[Samuraixsithlord]

it referred to the new member as "her" but i'm not complaining. issue #3 comes out December 12 so the waits not to long

[torippu]

I can not wait for my box to arrive so I can read these first 2 issues. I was lukewarm about this series but Chuck Dixon's name writing a Batman-related book is an automatic purchase for me as well.

[Taskmaster]

Same here. If Dixon's in the credits, it's an automatic purchase for me.

Heck yeah! I had no interest until Dixon was onboard and now it's on my pull list, I only wish we could get Nightwing back on the team so he could be written well again!

[Alexx1]

I hate to see Selina go as well and especially the way she went. It was cowardly, IMO, and that's not her style. It's also hard to read an issue that has both BM and CW in it and not have some sort of conversation between the two, albeit even a brief one. I would have preferred her tell him to his face she was out of there as oppose to high telling it out with her tail between her legs and leaving it to someone else.

Also, I was disappointed in MM exit. I get he didn't agree with BM's decision concerning the OMAC but I would have expected him to at least leave a little more imparting wisdom to Batman before he left. What he said just wasn't enough for me.

I feel like I've already lost my appetite with CW and MM gone alreay. Dixon made them shine even more so in the first two issues. I liked how he wrote CW especially (well up until she chicken out and left the crew. NOT Selina's MO). She wasn't on every page but the pages she was on she owned. Not every writer "gets her" IMO. Dixon seemed to and now she's gone. I was on a caffeine high. Now I've crashed. BUMMER DUDE. CW brings so much charisma and charm and that wow factor but I'll hang in there a couple more issues. It wouldn't be fair to Dixon otherwise. And I'm curious about GreenArrows presence but I doubt it will be enough to keep my attention.

The artwork is fantastic. Kudos to Lopez.

[Captain Jim]

Martian Manhunter and Catwoman's exit was editorially mandated.

[Alexx1]

Martian Manhunter and Catwoman's exit was editorially mandated.

I get that. As I mentioned above, my issue isn't that they are gone per se but how they exited.

[Spiffy]

Martian Manhunter and Catwoman's exit was editorially mandated.
Yeah, that's the way ALL good creative decisions should be made, right?

Feh.

MM didn't really fit, but I thought Catwoman had potential. It would have been nice to see her in an ongoing working relationship with BOTH Batman AND Batgirl. And the way that had her go was... very out of character.

[Captain Jim]

Yeah, that's the way ALL good creative decisions should be made, right?

Feh.

In an ideal world, no. But I'm afraid it's a fact of life, whether we like it or not. I just never like to see the writer blamed for these things.

[pariah-1972]

I remember Catwoman going toe to toe with Prometheus once so why she would be all fraidy cat now i don't know.
i would have loved to see Catwoman and Batman work together :(