Frank Tieri Joins "Batman & The Outsiders"

[andy khouri]

With the final issue of Frank Tieri's "Gotham Underground" in stores this week, the writer jumps into the fray of "Batman R.I.P." in a two-issue stint with the DCU's most volatile black ops super team.

http://comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16728

[Usernamessd]

R.I.P. mini-event play off of yet-to-be-seen plot twists in Morrison's story in the monthly "Batman" title. However, Tieri did reveal that he'll be joined on his arc by recent "Detective Comics" artist Ryan Benjamin ("Grifter/Midnighter") and that fans looking for a hint of what's in store for Katana, Geo-Force and the rest need look no further than his storyline's title.

OH GOD NO! What happend to Chuck Dixon? Why isnt he writing the tie-in?

[durkadurka]

Okay, confession time -- outside of the animated series and what I remembered as a kid, I didn’t really know Batman continuity all that well going into 'Gotham Underground'
Honestly, that's probably all you need to write a good Batman story. The Animated Series was incredible, one of the best cartoons i can think of. Whenever i read the Joker, no matter who writes him, i still hear Mark Hamill's shrill cackle. And it makes me smile.

[pariah-1972]

Well so much for Bato being on my list:mad:

[Johnny_Luck]

seriously what are you people on about. I honestly love dixons other stuff but BATO has been an utter mess since day one and has yet to go where its needed to to become as good as outsiders should be, Dixon and this relaunch overall haven't helped anything and from what I read and saw of GU it was really quite decent and at my LCS and a few others around I asked and they said GU sold like hotcakes cause people loved it.

[protege]

Well, I'll stick with BATO until after the "Batman R.I.P." arc is over, but with all the changes coming up, i don't know if I'll stick around after that. Honestly, I'm not sure why I'm reading the book NOW- I'm not particularly interested in the team itself, or Chuck Dixon's writing style.
I have to say, I'm intrigued by a Riddler/Penguin "Friendship", since we don't see much rogue interaction, except in Flash- since i didn't read "Gotham underground" I'm curious as to what sort of role lock-up played in it.

[Mr. Nebula]

seriously what are you people on about. I honestly love dixons other stuff but BATO has been an utter mess since day one and has yet to go where its needed to to become as good as outsiders should be, Dixon and this relaunch overall haven't helped anything and from what I read and saw of GU it was really quite decent and at my LCS and a few others around I asked and they said GU sold like hotcakes cause people loved it.

Agreed. Big fan of Dixon's work most of the time but all the charm, fun and characterization of the previous Nightwing/Arsenal outsiders series is gone. More awkward was the rampant lineup-changes throughout the first arc; i have NO idea how Ollie's appearance here would fit into his own continuity. The Dibny's needless cameo in a recent issue was a bit of an eyebrow-raiser as well. None of the characters really seem to have their own unique voice and the book as a whole feels more dictated editorially than by any decision to tell a quality story.

I was VERY impressed with Tieri's Gotham Underground, however. A thoroughly-researched and comprehensive look at the metahuman and criminal element of Gotham that felt rewarding for longtime Bat-readers and minutae-spotters while still seeming like it wouldn't be too confusing at all for new readers. I hope it does very well in the eventual TPB.

[pariah-1972]

Agreed. Big fan of Dixon's work most of the time but all the charm, fun and characterization of the previous Nightwing/Arsenal outsiders series is gone. More awkward was the rampant lineup-changes throughout the first arc; i have NO idea how Ollie's appearance here would fit into his own continuity. The Dibny's needless cameo in a recent issue was a bit of an eyebrow-raiser as well. None of the characters really seem to have their own unique voice and the book as a whole feels more dictated editorially than by any decision to tell a quality story.

I was VERY impressed with Tieri's Gotham Underground, however. A thoroughly-researched and comprehensive look at the metahuman and criminal element of Gotham that felt rewarding for longtime Bat-readers and minutae-spotters while still seeming like it wouldn't be too confusing at all for new readers. I hope it does very well in the eventual TPB.You have obviously never read the cluster f*fck that was Weapon X to understand what people are complaining about.

[Agent_Torpor]

Agreed. Big fan of Dixon's work most of the time but all the charm, fun and characterization of the previous Nightwing/Arsenal outsiders series is gone. More awkward was the rampant lineup-changes throughout the first arc; i have NO idea how Ollie's appearance here would fit into his own continuity. The Dibny's needless cameo in a recent issue was a bit of an eyebrow-raiser as well. None of the characters really seem to have their own unique voice and the book as a whole feels more dictated editorially than by any decision to tell a quality story.

I was VERY impressed with Tieri's Gotham Underground, however. A thoroughly-researched and comprehensive look at the metahuman and criminal element of Gotham that felt rewarding for longtime Bat-readers and minutae-spotters while still seeming like it wouldn't be too confusing at all for new readers. I hope it does very well in the eventual TPB.


I usually never follow comic reviews as I like to formulate my own opinion, but Gotham Underground garnered some horrific ratings on IGN.com (usually in the 2-3 range out of 10), so I steered clear. That, and my appetite for yet another Gotham-based Bat-related book has been more than sated.

[Captain Jim]

Yeah, I do get the impression that there's been a lot more editorial involvement in this book than on the average. Ever since the beginning when Tony Bedard was pulled off the title at the last minute and replaced with Chuck.

No idea why Chuck isn't writing the tie-in's (and there could be a multitude of reasons), but this article implies that Tieri is only on the book for the short term.

[Jack Zodiac]

The book's mediocre anyway, knowing Tieri is involved with the "RIP" crossover just saves me the time and money of having to follow it into that title. Thanks, DC!

[Rattlehead]

I'm loving Chuck's return on the Robin title, but this book has been a snoozer. It reads as if Dixon himself has no clue where to go with the book. Tieri writing the RIP crossover with Ryan Benjamin is a double dose of avoid for me.

[pariah-1972]

Yeah, I do get the impression that there's been a lot more editorial involvement in this book than on the average. Ever since the beginning when Tony Bedard was pulled off the title at the last minute and replaced with Chuck.

No idea why Chuck isn't writing the tie-in's (and there could be a multitude of reasons), but this article implies that Tieri is only on the book for the short term.What other editorial interference has there been besides taking tony bedard off?
I really like Bato but im beginning to think that it's going nowhere or if it is going somewhere its taking an awfully long time to do it.

[AlistairCrane]

Why are you freaking out when he's only on it for the two RIP issues?

[reflecto]

I couldn't be more pleased that I'll get (at least) two Dixon-less Outsiders issues! :biggrin:
Dixon's turgid, pedestrian storytelling is killing this book and I can't wait to see a new perspective injected into these characters.

[pariah-1972]

I couldn't be more pleased that I'll get (at least) two Dixon-less Outsiders issues! :biggrin:
Dixon's turgid, pedestrian storytelling is killing this book and I can't wait to see a new perspective injected into these characters.Like more killing, raping, and stabbing?
Thats a great perspective man.

[matthewaos]

Actually I liked Weapon X and Wolverine. So I think it will be good.

[Jamescush]

I might pick these up. Might.

Is Tieri really that bad? :confused:

[Jamescush]

I couldn't be more pleased that I'll get (at least) two Dixon-less Outsiders issues! :biggrin:
Dixon's turgid, pedestrian storytelling is killing this book and I can't wait to see a new perspective injected into these characters.

Do you even read BOTOs? Or do you just like to bitch about Dixon?

Me...I like to bitch about bitching. :eek:

[pariah-1972]

I might pick these up. Might.

Is Tieri really that bad? :confused:Umm lets see he had Wolverine and Punisher fight mostly because Punisher whipped his ass in a Punisher's own comic and in the end after a bunch of fighting a bunch of muscle mags spilled out of Punisher's bag and Wolverine made some homophobic comments and then left.

[Captain Jim]

I might pick these up. Might.

Is Tieri really that bad? :confused:

I thought Gotham Underground was pretty good. Not a classic, by any means, but not bad.

[Captain Jim]

What other editorial interference has there been besides taking tony bedard off?

Well, certainly the team members. He was told to get rid of Martian Manhunter and Catwoman right away, because they were headed off for Salvation Run. And he was told to bring the Dibneys back.

Not sure "interference" is the right word, though. That's what editors do.

[Jamescush]

Umm lets see he had Wolverine and Punisher fight mostly because Punisher whipped his ass in a Punisher's own comic and in the end after a bunch of fighting a bunch of muscle mags spilled out of Punisher's bag and Wolverine made some homophobic comments and then left.

Ah yes. After Ennis wrote that Punisher storyline.
I remember that one now.

[Alexx1]

Well, certainly the team members. He was told to get rid of Martian Manhunter and Catwoman right away, because they were headed off for Salvation Run. And he was told to bring the Dibneys back.

Not sure "interference" is the right word, though. That's what editors do.

I dropped BATO after Catwoman left. I figured I'd just wait for the TRADES.

I also don't think Gotham Underground has been that bad. It's not as good as some titles right now but not as bad as others.I think the thing that's kept me from really embracing it, may be the art. I think I like the story, not the art and it's taking away from my overall enjoyment.

I think the change, temporary or not will be good for BATO. And I just assumed it didn't make much since for Dixon to be writing two RIP crossovers, tie-ins. Might as well let him focus on Robin and someone else on BATO.

[pariah-1972]

Ah yes. After Ennis wrote that Punisher storyline.
I remember that one now.Some say he did it to get back at Ennis for having Punisher win... don't know if thats true but if so thats kind of petty and Ennis's story was much better.

[pariah-1972]

Well, certainly the team members. He was told to get rid of Martian Manhunter and Catwoman right away, because they were headed off for Salvation Run. And he was told to bring the Dibneys back.

Not sure "interference" is the right word, though. That's what editors do.

Yeah bringing the Dibneys back for no apparent reason seemed a little puzzling.
It certainly seemed to come out of nowhere.

[matthewaos]

Umm lets see he had Wolverine and Punisher fight mostly because Punisher whipped his ass in a Punisher's own comic and in the end after a bunch of fighting a bunch of muscle mags spilled out of Punisher's bag and Wolverine made some homophobic comments and then left.

Yes, but you are talking about one storyline. His run started way before that and it was good I think. Blood sport, Stay Alive, Logan Files... I think that those are very good stories, with awesome art, btw.

[Alexx1]

Now that we know Dixon's off the title for good, I wonder if DC will give the book back to Tony Bedard after Frank Tieri's RIP crossover.

[The Cool Thatguy]

I might pick these up. Might.

Is Tieri really that bad? :confused:

No, he's worse. He knows just enough about the genre he's writing at any given time to really screw it up. There's a good reason why no one from the X titles brings up his Weapon X.

[Captain Jim]

this is a thread about Frank Tieri writing Batman & the Outsiders.

[Captain Jim]

Now that we know Dixon's off the title for good, I wonder if DC will give the book back to Tony Bedard after Frank Tieri's RIP crossover.

I'd say that's probably highly unlikely.