Outsiders 1 - 7

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #1
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

You can say that I was excited about this book. Mike W. Barr’s Batman and the Outsiders run from the eighties is one of my favorites and while this new incarnation doesn’t have Halo, it still has Batman, Katana, and Metamorpho from that run. Admittedly though, I have never been a big fan of Metamorpho. I found the this debut issue to be a lot of fun - a straight forward superhero action story, especially when it comes to the Outsiders, who seem to work best when they are breaking into places they are not supposed to be. From future solicits, it looks like the line up may change. But I like what it is so far. The art, by the way, is amazing. Lopez even makes the hideous new Katana costume beautiful.

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #2
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

Hell ya! While I am sad to see Martian Manhunter leave the team as he is not even in the Justice League these days - I almost screamed with joy when Batgirl made her entrance by throwing Thunder through the window (Although I wonder why this was necessary). Dixon wrote a few issues of Batgirl’s own series and unlike everyone else that has handled Cassandra since Infinite Crisis - I trust that he will get the character right. Catwoman’s leaving of the team didn’t surprise as she doesn’t seem to fit, but it seemed out-of-character for her to leave because she was basically scared of all the metahuman action. I really don’t see
Selina admitting she is afraid, even if she is. Another fun issue.

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #3
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

Another fantastic issue, Dixon has the Justice League guest-star (well some of them) and get in a semi-fight with Batman over whether the rescued OMAC should be under League or Outsiders jurisdiction. I think the transfer of Geo-Force to the Outsiders makes perfect sense since he is one of the founders of the team, and he only seemed to be in the Justice League cause Meltzer liked him (although he failed to explain at all how Geo-Force came to be a member, just like a lot of things in his run). Batgirl’s moment with Grace and Thunder was hilarious, and I am interested in the addition of REMAC to the team as I was a big fan of the robot, Indigo, during Winick’s run and I think the Outsiders kinda need an A.I. team mate. I have no idea who the people are at the end of this issue though.

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #4
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

Aw! It’s Ralph and Sue Dibny! The two mystery characters from last issue were Ralph and Sue Dibny, apparently now taking different forms as Ghost Detectives. Awesome….I didn’t see that coming at all, especially in this book. I like how all Batgirl and Green Arrow just have to have a nice little fight to iron out their differences. Although I don’t quite get why Green Arrow is a member, doesn’t really seems like he fits. This book is still going strong.

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #5
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

This was another good issue of this series. Not much to say about it. Loved how Batgirl tells the girl she just beat up that she smells like strawberries though haha.

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #6
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

Oh my, Saphire Stagg is in this issue. How do I loathe her so. In fact, I hate her so much I think she is the reason I don’t really like Metamorpho, how could he love her! Besides that, the mission to steal the Chinese rocket shows how the Outsiders really are willing to break the rules for the greater good. I particularly liked that Batgirl is going to come to their rescue - and Green Arrow tells the Chinese guy that they would be luckier if it was Superman. Because as I will say as many times as I can on this blog, Cassandra Cain is a bad ass!

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #7
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

Well, it looks like Batman may finally give Thunder the chance she deserves. This series is really good and I am sad to hear Dixon is leaving this series after Issue 10 and DC altogether. I may not agree with his politics, but Dixon knows how to write some damn good comics.

Coming Full Circle

Outsiders (Volume 3) #50
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Matthew Clark and Ron Randall

Well here we come to the final issue of the Outsiders. It looks like Batman has taken complete control of the team now and the series will relaunch as Batman and the Outsiders, which I am very excited for. This issue was great. Much better then anything Winick ever did with this series. It doesn’t feel like a final issue, but it shouldn’t since the relaunch is just around the corner. I don’t know much abotu the Suicide Squad so there appearence here kinda threw me off but I did the research and now they interest me. I can’t wait to see what the new team does. I loved Catwoman’s final line in this issue, totally in-character. I also like the idea that Batman needs a team of heroes pretending to be villains. One thing I didn’t buy was the idea that people recognize Grace as an Amazon just by looking at her. Not realistic but whatever. Great end to a series and can’t wait for the relaunch.

Birds of Prey 108 and 109

Birds of Prey #108
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott

Gail Simone’s final issue on this title is a tear jerker. You really feel that the writer is saying goodbye to her characters this issue. I don’t even know how to explain how good this issue is. Just read it. Characters from Simone’s entire run come back to defend Oracle against Spy Smasher. The “core team” cries together as they say their goodbyes and we find out who Misfit really is. It was amazing. Gail, thanks for making Birds of Prey a great read through your entire run.

Birds of Prey #109
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Nicola Scott

Bedard begins his fill-in run with this issue. This was a very enjoyable read that I believe lives up to what Simone has done with this book. Oracle and Black Canary discuss the Green Arrow-Black Canary relationship and I like how Oracle basically says she shouldn’t marry him. It was a nice way of looking back at each character’s histories. There were some major continuity error though, the use of the Ventriloquist when Batgirl was around (he didn’t come about until after she was crippled) and the mention that Connor’s mother was Shado. Shado was not Connor’s mother. Other than those errors, this was a great issue. My personal favorite about it must have been Big Barda playing with Pokemon Cards! Oh and this tied into Countdown perfectly.

Return Of The Whip

Catwoman (Volume 3) #68
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez

This pulse-pounding issue of Catwoman was a really fast read…like I couldn’t believe it was over when it was. That isn’t to say that it was bad, just a fast-read. In the end, it looks like Holly is going undercover and we know she will end up at the Women’s Shelter over in Countdown. I am happy about that as I never really warmed up to her as Catwoman. I wonder what Selina is going to do now that her cover as Irena is blown. Anyways, the suspense of this issue was amazing. When Selina sees her baby in the middle of the road I felt the emotion right along with her and for a second there I actually thought Selina might accidentally run over her own child. Watching Catwoman work her whip was a geek-out moment as I don’t think she has used it in a while. This isn’t the last we will see of Hammer and Sickle but I hope that they get a good ass kicking next time.

Dead Wrong

Catwoman (Volume 3) #67
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez

Pfiefer is excellent with these cliffhangers where you are truly scared for the life of one of the Catwoman cast. I am truly scared that Karen is going to be killed next issue. Hammer and Sickle are just that evil. This proves once again at how good Pfeifer is at writing baddies. This is one of the most underrated books DC is putting out and I would recommend it to anyone. It’ funny, at one point in this issue I though yes Selina is going to defeat them. Everything is going to be okay, I thought, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I actually thought she had killed Sickle with that gun. I was so wrong. Dead wrong. Hammer and Sickle just may beat the Catwomen this time. The art is decent. I don’t really have much to say about it. The writing though is top-notch.

Baddies

Catwoman (Volume 3) #66
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez

Whoa this was one intense action-packed issue. Pfeifer knows how to balance the action with great dialogue. Blitzkrieg adds to a very growing list of great Catwoman baddies that Pfeifer has come up with and Hammer and Sickle are two Russians you don’t want to mess with. That said, I also liked the art this issue. Especially how they incorporate the title of the issue into the wall of that building. I still have no idea what the significance of that snowglobe is. Did we learn that last issue and I just don’t remember? Holly is really shown out on her own for the first time this issue but isn’t she exposing herself too many times? They should get a cowl that can’t be pulled off that easy. I have no idea what will happen next issue. Will Holly die? I don’t know. And that is awesome.

Catwoman Vs. Killer Robot Lex

Catwoman (Volume 3) #65
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez

One of the most underrated comics on the stands continues this issue. Selina is still in Metropolis trying to steal a snow globe from Luthor, only to end up fighting a Lex Luthor Robot. Pretty cool. Selina is a smart gals (even the robot eventually admits it) and that is why she gets out of this little pickle. Pfeifer effectively shows the reader that like Batman, Catwoman is both physicall and mentally intelligent. The scene with Superman was pretty kick ass too. The art was pretty good, nothing too excited nor horrible about it. It was art. The cliffhanger ending is kind of confusing. Was that Warp? Why does he want the snowglobe again? I don’t know if I am just forgetting something about a previous issue or if we are not supposed to know that yet. Anyway, this was a good issue.

Catwoman 63 and 64

Catwoman (Volume 3) #63
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez

Catwoman goes to The Calculator in order to clear Holly’s name. I understand her reasoning for not going to Oracle, I mean Batman would be pissed if he found out Selina killed a man. It was fun to see the Calculator basically trick those guys into going after Catwoman. He knew that they would fail. Catwoman’s reputation proceeds her. I still wonder who is going to be Catwoman now. Is Selina officially the full time Catwoman again? I don’t know. Anyways, it looks like the Cat is heading to Metropolis.

Catwoman (Volume 3) #64
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez

I would highly reccomend this issue. It was really good. I loved the beginning, the middle, and end. This is how an issue of Catwoman should be. A nice heist issue with some twists. The idea that Lex lives deep below Luthor Tower is really cool and smart. I wonder if that is where he has been when they show him in Action Comics. Selina really shines this issue. Shows why she is one of the world’s greatest thieves. To be honest, I wish she did more thieving than heroing. It is all more fun. Meanwhile, Holly is also being Catwoman back in Gotham and is probably going to get herself in a big mess. Hammer and Sickle are going to come after her for sure. I have no idea what that apparition of the other Catwoman in Lex’s lair was and Selina’s guesses are good as mine. I enjoyed this issue a lot.

How She Had A Kitten

Catwoman (Volume 3) #62
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez

Catwoman recounts how she ended up with the child of Sam Bradley this issue and I must say it was very heart-warming yet sad tale. I enjoyed it, even though I originally wished that Batman was really the father. I love Selina’s comment when Holly says she thought Batman was the father, “Batman?Please.” Selina can never get back together with Slam now, it would be completely rudiculous and really gross if she did, I mean it is her baby’s grandfather. That is fine though, maybe she can focus on her relationship with a certain Bat-obsessed millionaire. Now, after this, is Holly still going to be Catwoman? I doubt it. Pfeifer has spent barely any time focusing on Holly so far and I doubt he wants to. Selina is just a much better character.

Cutting Wires

Catwoman (Volume 3) #61
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez

Like all issues of Catwoman since Pfierfer took over the book, this was good. I am sad to see that Film Freak will be gone for a while (I imagine he will be back someday like all great villains.) He was a really fun villain, even though he was an evil fucked up bastard. During this issue, I couldn’t help but thinking, does Catwoman work best as a hero or a villain? And I think she works best as in the middle, I feel like she is being portrayed too much as a super hero of late. Maybe she should try to steal and stuff more often. I know people think oooo but she can’t, that would be like taking the character back a step. Naw, I think that she could steal once in a while and not be going backwards. Oh and I think that she should start acting like a cat more, like Michelle Pfiefer did in Batman Returns. Maybe I am prejudice because Michelle was the reason I ended up liking Catwoman in the first place. I don’t know. Will and the artists still, besides my little rant, created a good issue here. The art is great, and the finale to this storyline was pretty good. I was glad they didn’t do the which wire is correct type of thing with the bomb, it was refreshing to see that not happen. I wonder if Selina is right, in real life does it really not matter which wire you cut?