DC Recruits Tynion and Suayan for "Red Hood and the Outlaws"

[LoneNecromancer]

I'd already heard some confirmation a while back that it was true but I decided not to post until it had been officially confirmed...

Which it has been.

However, good news. Tynion says he's not changing it from a fun adventure book, and his first arc will be somewhat Roy-centric.

Newsarama talked to Tynion and found out:

- Lobdell's final issues set up the new direction for Tynion, who told us he had to pitch for the chance to write Red Hood.

- Tynion has some longer-form storylines in mind for Red Hood,

- Roy Harper is the focus of the first story arc, and he'll be "meeting" for the first time some characters who were associated with him in pre-52 continuity.

- Tynion's first threat for the team is a secret until the end of "Death of the Family," although the cover for issue #19 implies there might be trouble within the ranks of the Outlaws.

- Tynion assured readers that he would not make the book more moody or dark, despite his work on Talon. In fact, he called Red Hood an "energetic," "adventure" book with "high action."

Nrama: Fans have seen your work on Talon and the Batman back-ups. How is your work on Red Hood different from those? And what similarities?

Tynion: I think tonally, they're very different books. Obviously, there's some darkness lurking around these characters, and even moreso right as I'm going to jump onto this run.

But I think that, at its essence, this is a fun,adventure book with three friends that are doing these insane things all over the world. And that's not going to changes.

I'm not looking to take this book in a grim and gritty, dark direction. It's not going to be a moody, dark book.

It's going to be high action, high concepts, lots of new villains, threats lurking in the darkness.

I'm having so much fun writing it, and I think that will come across on the page. I think Talon has an inherit darkness to it. This does too, but it's muted by the fact that the personalities of the characters, except for Jason, are brighter. Roy in particular.

Anyone who's worried that I'm going to take the book and make it a bit darker and moodier like Talon don't have anything to worry about.

Tynion: Something fans haven't really seen from me yet, but it's something that I feel incredibly passionate about — and I know the editors know it — is I love the young characters of the DCU. They've been my favorite characters my entire life.
My favorite thing I've written up until now is the back-up in Batman #0 with the Bat-signal going up for the first time, and just getting to play with those Robins.

So they knew that I had this fascination with the young characters. So when this opened up, they asked me if I'd be interested in pitching for it, and I did not need to think about it. These are characters that I've been wanting to write for years and years and years.

And I love the Outlaws in particular. It's these three characters who, before the New 52, you wouldn't really have associated together.

You have Starfire, who's this incredibly powerful warrior princess.

You have Roy, who's this former partner of Green Arrow who's a bit more of a goofball.

And you have Jason, who before now has been falling more in the villain cast than the hero, since his resurrection.

It's a really interesting dynamic between these three characters, so I'm really excited to get to play with that.

I guess my excitement came through in my pitch, and they decided to give me a shot.

He also mentions some possible Ollie/Roy stuff due to Lemire taking over GA.

And Mico Suayan, if you don't recognise him, is the guy responsible for covers such as:




So looks to be a pretty good art change.

So I'm a little cautious, but overall optimistic. Lobdell left the title of his own volition and a guy's coming on who enjoyed the book and characters and has fun writing them, so...yeah, I'll refrain from judging any further until his issues start coming out.

[LoneNecromancer]

Oh, I also forgot to mention that Tyler Kirkham will also be drawing part of RH&O#18, so... at least some of the art in Lobdell's last issue will be good.

He of course, drew this:

[The Man From Room X]

I wish they expanded the group. Maybe bring in Raven or Rose Wilson. Good to know the tone of the book isn't changing.

[LoneNecromancer]

I wish they expanded the group. Maybe bring in Raven or Rose Wilson. Good to know the tone of the book isn't changing.

If that's the case I'd have it done after the Roy arc, because he hasn't really had his own one till now and I'd prefer to have that done before putting focus on new characters.

EDIT: Though Rose is apparently taking centre-point in Ravagers and Raven will be in TT and then maybe her own book, so I doubt either of them would show up. Maybe Cheshire might? Lobdell never put her in before because he didn't really like the character.

[FHIZ]

"Anyone who's worried that I'm going to take the book and make it a bit darker and moodier like Talon don't have anything to worry about."

I read this as "Hey CBR board, kiss my ass"

[Rakzo]

Well, for one I'm glad that he plans to keep the same tone that Lobdell was implementing.

On the other hand, I'm still not sure about James Tynion, he's a pretty solid writer but as I've said before his writing style is too similar to Snyder's. However, now he's handling a different kind of book so maybe he will start evolving his skills to gain his own identity.

As usual, I'm hoping for the better.

[Rakzo]

"Anyone who's worried that I'm going to take the book and make it a bit darker and moodier like Talon don't have anything to worry about."

I read this as "Hey CBR board, kiss my ass"

Heh, that was a really direct answer to some of the most obnoxious posters from this forum.

[LoneNecromancer]

Well, for one I'm glad that he plans to keep the same tone that Londell was implementing.

On the other hand, I'm still not sure about James Tynion, he's a pretty solid writer but as I've said before his writing style is too similar to Snyder's. However, now he's handling a different kind of book so maybe he will start evolving his skills to gain his own identity.

As usual, I'm hoping for the better.

Isn't Snyder still co-writing Talon with him? As I recall his Batman back-ups weren't anywhere as wordy, it's possible it's just down to Snyder on that one. But yeah, I think being put on a completely different type of book would change that approach even if it is him.

[FHIZ]

Last I heard somewhere around six is when Snyder was going to bow out of the "co-writing" position.

[Rakzo]

Isn't Snyder still co-writing Talon with him? As I recall his Batman back-ups weren't anywhere as wordy, it's possible it's just down to Snyder on that one. But yeah, I think being put on a completely different type of book would change that approach even if it is him.

I would say that Talon is 90% Tynion. If I remember correctly they mentioned that Snyder just wrote the basic plot while Tynion is handling the rest (Execution, direction, characters, etc), DC is just putting Snyder's name on the credits to gain some sales.

[LoneNecromancer]

Scott Lobdell's farewell message.

It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #18 will be my last issue of the series.

As much as I love Jason, Roy and Kori, my schedule is such that something had to give and that something was Red Hood.

Despite all the hoopla and tearing at clothing that greeted the launch of the series (or heck, maybe because of it!) I have never been more proud of my association with launching a title as I have with this book. Love it or loath it, RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS has always had a unique voice, tone, pacing and -- thanks for the incomparable Kenneth Rocafort and Blond, its own look.

Before I go I want to thank Judd and Mort and George and Denny and Neal and Marv and George for their hands in creating RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS to begin with. And of course Bobbie and Katie and Eddie and Darren in editorial, and Kenneth, Blond, Timothy and Pascal and both Pascals for everything else. To Tumblr, for keeping me honest with all their thoughtful criticism and insight into all that is best in humanity. And finally, to Mike DePalo for his unwavering assistance, expertise and friendship.

Go Hoodies! The best is yet to come!

[Mr. Holmes]

I've enjoyed Lobdell's run but yeah I'll be sticking around as long as Tynion keeps the unique tone. His take sounds pretty good, and I'm so glad for the art change.

[Desaad]

Tynion has his faults as a writer, for sure, but in terms of skill and craft he's pretty significantly ahead of Lobdell. Lobdell's real strength - and what I'm worried about losing on here - is his fearlessness, his willingness to try new things. Sometimes his new things are kind of hokey, sometimes they're completely lame and quite stupid, but they're NEW, they're ambitious.

Tynion will bring with him a refinement, but all the refinement in the world won't help if he's telling the same ole same ole street level stories. So here is hoping we get some very weird, imagination-exercising stuff. If he's taking a page from Warren Ellis - who I think he said is his favorite writer? - we'd be in good shape.

Mico Suayan is a great artist, but slow, and maybe not perfect for this book. This book, to me, needs someone very stylized and very kinetic. Suayan's stuff is a little static, and very highly rendered. Ah well, he'll still be great.

[Whip Whirlwind]

Roy Harper is the focus of the first story arc, and he'll be "meeting" for the first time some characters who were associated with him in pre-52 continuity.

Wonder if there's any chance he'll be meeting some NTT characters.

[DebkoX]

I've yet to read most of the run so far, its a pity scotts gone but this guy can make RH much better.
Good luck!