Thoughts on Batman and the Outsiders #1? *spoilers* [Archive]

manunited

11-14-2007, 11:59 PM

Thoughts on Batman and the Outsiders #1?

Although the art was excellent (great opening shots with catwoman and katana,; love how metamorphos drawn), I thought the writing was really weak.

In direct contrast, I thought Salvation #1 was excellent. Excellent writing (Bill Willingham - Fables) (great dialogue and story) and I was immediately sucked in. Awesome concept to begin with...and it's executed brilliantly. I really can't wait for the next issue.

As for Batman and the Outsiders...I'll try another issue or two but if the writing stays as is, the great art alone won't cut it for me.

Young Avenger

11-15-2007, 02:52 AM

I enjoyed it. I like how well the team worked with each other. They complement each other so well. It's a shame that J'ozz and Catwoman won't be apart of it.

Samuraixsithlord

11-15-2007, 09:52 AM

issue 3 is when Batgirl joins up, can't wait

Christopher Cross Is God

11-15-2007, 12:16 PM

I thought it wasn't bad. Didn't find the writing particularly weak or anything, but issue #1 didn't hook me in enough to make me put the comic on my pull-list.

I will watch out for it to see if future issues catch my fancy.

Jedeye Sniv

11-15-2007, 08:11 PM

I really liked this issue, and it wasn't on my radar at all, I bought it on the off-chance. Dixon is as competent and focused as ever, his scripts are so tight but manage to convey a brisk plot and elements of character with a subtlety he's rarely credited for. He's also one of the few writers who really gets the Batman voice, his Batman always sounds exactly right in my mind's ear, unlike many other writers, including Bedard's recent handling of the character. Nothing groundbreaking, but it does its job with great spirit and is very comprehendable and makes perfect sense, which is more than you get in a lot of comics these days.

the art though was a great surprise, it was much much better than I was expecting. Not flashy or to fashionable, but with a really solid feel and brilliant 'acting'. Varied postures, great facial expressions, detailed. Expressive and light without being too stylised or cartoony, I loved it. The inks and colours really kicked it up a notch as well, it reminded me of when Ultimate Spider-man moved to the new colourist a couple of years back. So much detail going on in the colours, it really adds so much to the look of an already very pretty book.

It's a keeper, I'm back next month. If only Catwoman could stick around!

Chiroptera

11-16-2007, 09:30 PM

It got me instantly. I loved it. I love the characters in it, some of my favorites are here. J'onn's scene was priceless. Catwoman's ever-quick wit is always a delight in team comics and I liked watching Bats and Thunder's dialogue while monitoring the teams progress.

I've added it to my pull list and I can't wait to see more of the team brought in.

EmeraldOutlaw

11-16-2007, 11:10 PM

I gave it a chance and picked it up...wasn't blown away, but I definately enjoyed it. I'm sad that J'onn and Catwoman aren't going to be on the title for a while, but the idea of my boy Ollie joining up as well as Batgirl absolutely makes me want to keep picking this up.

The writing was decent/good and the art was very nice. Two things I didn't really care for were the lack of Grace (great character, needs more screen time) and the crap Thunder was up to. She really did a good job of pissing me off as her dialogue just made me shake my head. She's alright, but if her developement continues like this, I'm not going to be happy.

But, like I said, other than those two little beefs I thought this was a pretty solid issue; definately worth further interest.

DonC

11-17-2007, 10:30 AM

The only characters I was familiar with going in were Batman, Catwoman, J'Onn and Metamorpho (who has apparently changed a lot since his JLE days) so a lot of the people were new to me. I have to say not a lot really happened. Certainly not enough for me to get to know the new characters very well.

The action was okay, but, again, not a lot happened. They broke into a building and fought some security guards. Well, if security guards can beat you then you need to turn in your spandex. I enjoy Chuck's work enough that I'll stick around and see what happens when they fight the OMAC, though. You have to give the guy a few issues to catch his stride. After all, this was a last-minute deal.

The art was great. Julian Lopez is going to be big. His art is superhero enough that the heroes looked good, but his "normal" people looked normal. That, in my opinion, is the hallmark of a great superhero artist. Wonder Woman is supposed to look like a supermodel. Aunt May isn't.

Another thing that really jumped out at me was the coloring. It had that almost-painted feel of the Milestone Media comics. I wish more books would use this approach.

All in all, good art, not much story, but I'll be back.

midnightman2001

11-17-2007, 10:44 AM

What is the mission statement of this group?

Why do they exist?

It kind of reminds me of the Invaders from a few years ago, Why are they still called the Invaders? Who are they invading? The name does not work outside of WW2.

Brack360

11-17-2007, 10:54 AM

What is the mission statement of this group?

Why do they exist?

They are a covert team of heroes who work outside of the law and do not fit within the norms of the mainstream super-hero community. They clean up crimes that the Justice League cannot because of fear of shattering their public image.

midnightman2001

11-17-2007, 11:07 AM

I thought that was what the JSA or more so the Suicide Squad is for? But if it works for you, great! I am not saying it is a bad book. We all have to make choices as to what to read. I cannot buy the reasoning for this book. For me, there is no reason for this group to exist.

I also do not like how Batman is everywhere. How can he be in the JLA & this outsides group PLUS have his own adventures in all of his solo books in addition to being in death of the new gods?

I like Batman, don't get me wrong. I buy Batman, "tec, and All Star Batman
("I am the goddamn Batman!" Great line!), but this outsiders stuff just does not work for me.

EmeraldOutlaw

11-17-2007, 11:23 AM

I thought that was what the JSA or more so the Suicide Squad is for? But if it works for you, great! I am not saying it is a bad book. We all have to make choices as to what to read. I cannot buy the reasoning for this book. For me, there is no reason for this group to exist.

I was always under the impression that the JSA was just like the Justice League but not so many global threats to deal with. I'm hardly a JSA expert so if someone else can elaborate, cool. But as for the Suicide Squad...I'm pretty sure they're the government sanctioned team. Yes they do black ops, but they do the ops that the gov wants them to do; carrying out the agenda, as it were.

The Outsiders on the other hand, while black ops, are still a super hero team. They don't just do what the "higher ups" think needs to be done.

IamtheRock3

11-17-2007, 06:15 PM

pretty good

it does suck no manhunter, maybe they put him JLA

But do like the dialouge between the guys. Also like that batgirl coming on

Billage

11-17-2007, 06:17 PM

I'm going to wait a bit before adding this.Looks interesting but an ongoing usually takes a bit to find its footing.

The Shadow

11-17-2007, 11:15 PM

I liked it... wasn't blown away (nor did I add it to my pull list) but was intrigued enough to get #2

Sean Whitmore

11-17-2007, 11:40 PM

Another one of those OMAC things?

Chuck, Chuck...not a good way to make people hunger for the next issue.

SEAN

joncolton

11-18-2007, 01:43 AM

Long time read on CBR, first time poster. I gotta say, I was blown away by the 1st issue. I initially bought it for the writing, but stayed for art! Julian Lopez is one of my new favorites.

The OMAC thing was kind of a big surprise, but it does seem to start to be an over-used character. I think Chuck Dixon is better than that, so I doubt I will be less than impressed with issue #2.

COMIC GEEK

11-18-2007, 05:37 AM

I wasnt blown away by the first issue. Normally I read a new comic more than 1 time after I buy it. This one I did not. The art was pretty good, but the writing really didnt grab my interest. I'll give it a few more issues and go from there.

tfresca

11-18-2007, 12:08 PM

Isn't this like the third time an Omac has come back since the OMAC war or whatever? Not counting the mini. They weren't that great a villian.

Cash Lone

11-18-2007, 04:00 PM

I was impressed with the art and dialogue but there wasnt much of a story or the makings/beginning of a great story. Then again, Dixon didnt have much time to prepare, correct?

pariah-1972

11-18-2007, 06:15 PM

I liked but admittedly there wasn't much of a plot (not that thats a bad thing)anyways i loved the artwork and dialogue.

Rattlehead

11-19-2007, 08:40 AM

I flipped through it in the store, but there really wasn't much there to make me buy it. The art was nice, and I generally do like Chuck Dixon, but like everybody else said, it didn't look like anything really happened. Plus, the OMAC reveal made me just shake my head and put it back on the shelf. Those things are pretty lame, and infiltrating a cliche "evil" corporation is something that needs to be put to rest.

Fatguy

11-19-2007, 05:22 PM

I thought the story was pretty good, nothing that really JUMPS OUT and grabs you, but interesting.

The art, on the other hand, was amazing. Catwoman and Martian Manhunter in particular were just gorgeous.

So, all in all, I would give it a good solid B.

Batman was taken

11-19-2007, 06:45 PM

You've gotta keep in mind that he only had a month or two to write this stuff. He also had to use the group that was left behind. Give him 5 or 6 issues to start telling the story that he wants to. The solicits for 4 or 5, in February, has GA and Batgirl on the cover.... by that point, it'll all be Chuck`s, so it should be better.

Now, having said that, I liked it. The art was beautiful, and the story engaged me enough to keep reading... Not that I wouldn`t have anyways:P

pariah-1972

11-19-2007, 06:48 PM

I just hope we don't have two shapeshifters on here for much longer especially omega class shapeshifters.

Captain Jim

11-19-2007, 09:50 PM

Long time read on CBR, first time poster.

Welcome to CBR, Jon. :)

Babylon23

11-19-2007, 11:15 PM

I thought that was what the JSA or more so the Suicide Squad is for? But if it works for you, great! I am not saying it is a bad book.

The JSA's mission statement is about finding and training the legacy heroes, especially those connected to the heroes of WWII. Basically, they're looking for the next generation of heroes and teaching them how to be heroes.

The Suicide Squad is a US Government-backed black ops team. Certainly a bit closer to the Outsiders than the JSA, but more concerned with supporting US policy. The Outsiders is more about seeking justice and doing good, even if it requires them to step outside the law to do so.

As for the issue, I'd describe it the way I describe a lot of Dixon's work: it was solid without being necessarily great. I commend him given the limited time he had to get this issue together, and it was decent enough for me to check out the next issue. The art was very good.

Fatguy

11-20-2007, 12:37 AM

I just hope we don't have two shapeshifters on here for much longer especially omega class shapeshifters.

Seeing MM drawn so beautifully this issue, makes me sad that Chuck (as far as I've heard) doesnt plan on keeping him around :(

pariah-1972

11-20-2007, 01:14 AM

Seeing MM drawn so beautifully this issue, makes me sad that Chuck (as far as I've heard) doesnt plan on keeping him around :(I forgot who the artist was and i don't know if i would call skrull MM "beautifull"
but the artwork was top notch and i hope that he gets a lot more work because he knocked it out of the park.

but i'm not surprised that he would get rid of MM because he's just too powerfull for this group imo.

quick question: can MM morph into non organic things like Metamorpho can or can he just do living things?
obviously Morph cant change his looks as far as i know he used to have to wear a disguise.
that could have changed for all i know...

Captain Jim

11-20-2007, 06:54 AM

I'd describe it the way I describe a lot of Dixon's work: it was solid without being necessarily great.

I haven't read this issue yet, but I agree completely with your assessment of Dixon's writing. And in a market that has so much crap, I'll take guaranteed solid (and occasionally great) any day. :)

Chuck Dixon

11-21-2007, 10:02 PM

You've gotta keep in mind that he only had a month or two to write this stuff. :P

More like a week, actually.

Cayman

11-22-2007, 08:04 AM

Another one of those OMAC things?

Chuck, Chuck...not a good way to make people hunger for the next issue.

SEAN

At least it wasn't a Monitor.

Sean Whitmore

11-22-2007, 01:44 PM

At least it wasn't a Monitor.

Excellent point, actually.

SEAN

Captain Jim

11-23-2007, 06:04 AM

I finally got around to reading it last night. It's very hard to judge this first issue on its own merits, as it's obviously just setting things up. But I'm definitely on the board and the art was indeed outstanding.

SpaceBooger

11-25-2007, 06:53 PM

Catwoman stating that Katana probably does not have man myspace friends sold the issue to me.

I am a huge Dixon fan (His run on Nightwing was definitive) and given the team was not his own for this issue along with the fact that the plot was already created before he did any writing gives me much hope for the future.

Wow, what a long run-on sentence I created...

drwho

12-06-2007, 01:05 PM

Nice seeing Batman being cool and still in control when everyone else seems think everything is getting out of control. A great first issue.

pariah-1972

12-06-2007, 01:20 PM

The Cool Thatguy

12-06-2007, 02:57 PM

Has Katanna ever had a boyfriend?

She had a husband and several children, actually. Their murder/deaths started her career.

pariah-1972

12-06-2007, 03:00 PM

She had a husband and several children, actually. Their murder/deaths started her career.Ok i remember that now,
but wasn't there a evil chick on one of the Justice League cartoons that appeared to be lesbian that looked a lot like her?

The Cool Thatguy

12-06-2007, 07:54 PM

Ok i remember that now,
but wasn't there a evil chick on one of the Justice League cartoons that appeared to be lesbian that looked a lot like her?

Not really. The evil chick was only vaguely based on her, IIRC. Only thing they had in common was a colored circle on their chest and use of a sword in battle.

pariah-1972

12-06-2007, 08:28 PM

Not really. The evil chick was only vaguely based on her, IIRC. Only thing they had in common was a colored circle on their chest and use of a sword in battle.They had a lot more in common than that...oh well, do you remember the characters name from that show?