Batman and the Outsiders #3 (October, 1983)
"Bitter Orange!"
Writer/Co-Creator - Mike W. Barr
Artist/Co-Creator - Jim Aparo
Colorist - Adrienne Roy
Editor - Len Wein
Cover Price: $0.60
Hey, here's a "reading project" I'm actually sort of keeping up with! Batman and the Outsiders, as I've said before, has been one of the nicest surprises of this blogging endeavor. There's just something so damn comfortable about it. Doesn't hurt that the writing and art are great too, right?
Anyhoo, let's get down to it.
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We open at Horton Chemical, it's 4:00 AM. Inside a night watchman pours himself a cup of coffee as he laments the drudgery of his existence. He is alerted by a nearby "klink" that he just might not be alone on this night. He peeks his head around the corner... and is gassed for his trouble. At the same time, on the other side of the world... or wherever Markovia is, Geo-Force is bidding adieu to his brother, the new King, Gregor. He is leaving with Batman and the gang, but promises to return.
On the flight home, Brion recounts the events that brought him here... and questions his decision to follow this strange crew of Outsiders back to Gotham.
They approach Wayne Manor while Alfred is clipping coupons... no, he's clipping out the news article on a chemical plant bombing. Batman radios in "on channel seven", which is code that indicates to Alfred that he is bringing visitors with him... and his dual identity needs to be kept under wraps. The Outsiders are surprised that they're entering under Wayne's place... which Batman brushes off, claiming that Bruce is just funding the cause. The Outsiders are advised that until he can find quarters for them all, they'll have to stay at the Manor... next they enjoy their first complimentary continental breakfast.
Meanwhile, at Gotham Square Garden, a masked man instructs his crew that they are going to keep bombing places until Gotham City decides to listen to them... okay, sounds reasonable. The fella plays on his underlings' status as Vietnam veterans... playing up the anti-war rhetoric they faced upon their return stateside. It's here we learn that this fella is... Agent Orange! Named after the gas that disfigured him during the war.
Later, we join Bruce Wayne and "Jane Doe" at a Psychologist's office. They are discussing ways in which they might help Halo rediscover her past. While the men talk, Halo starts playing the piano, showing a strong musical acumen. Bruce sees this as a clue.
On the drive home, Bruce suggests "Jane" pick a new civilian name, and she settles on Gabrielle... however, keeps the surname Doe. He pulls the car over and takes her shopping for some non-superhero duds.
That night, Batman meets with Katana at Bruce Wayne's old penthouse. He offers the pad to she and Halo. Katana initially refuses, claiming that she wants to keep her identity secret. Batman spoils that by calling her by her real name. Way to put a lady in her place, Bats!
The rest of the team arrives, and Batman takes them down a flight of stairs to their new headquarters. Before they can call their meeting to order, Batman receives a call from Alfred to inform him that something is amiss at Ames Farm. He jams out, and tells the Outsiders to stay behind... for they are "not ready yet". At Ames, Batman conducts some surveillance... and is soon joined by Katana and Halo. Hey, I thought he told you to stay behind! They look on as two militant men bury some toxic waste.
The Outsiders jump into action. Batman tells Katana to "take them alive"... so of course she kills the first dude she sees. Other baddies blast bullets into Halo, but they go right through her. Agent Orange arrives via helicopter and begins pumping gas at Halo, which is actually effective in putting her down. Katana cuts the Agent's gas-mask hose, causing him to flee before he is overcome.
Off on the side, Batman spots a surviving baddie and proceeds to interrogate him. When all he gives is his name, Halo and Katana jump in to play good cop-sadistic cop, which leads to a pretty funny gag.
They learn that Agent Orange's base of operations is Gotham Square Garden, however arrive just in time to see the baddie leave. Black Lightning and Katana take care of the militia Orange left behind... they make pretty quick work of 'em.
Batman and the rest are flying over Gotham Bay after Agent Orange's chopper. As they approach, he deploys his giant gas-bomb. Batman hops onto the chopper and instructs his teammates to take care of the bomb.
Geo-Force, Halo, and Metamorpho neutralize the threat, and as just as they begin to celebrate see Agent Orange's helicopter explode! Moments later, bubbles form in the water... and Batman emerges, with Agent Orange in tow.
They all return to Gotham Garden so Batman can humiliate unmask Agent Orange in front of his men. Hey, whattaya know... he isn't deformed after all! He was just a manipulative twit!
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It's always a good time with the Outsiders! Such a great mix of superhero action and soapy fun... with a fair amount of humor thrown in as well. This might not be over-the-top with the comedy, but when it hits... lemme tell ya, it hits pretty good.
These comics of the early 1980's show what a lost art storytelling can be. Here we had so many subplots weaving their way through, steps are taken in characterization, there's drama... and it was all framed by a nefarious threat. I so miss the days before decompressed storytelling. We actually get a full story here... and still, we have ample reason to return for the next issue(s).
The Halo/Gaby mystery is working so well... it doesn't monopolize the entire story, but it's still attended to and advanced. Of course hindsight being what it is... we know where it's headed... and, if you've been following this blog with any regularity, you know I wasn't a fan of the resolution. That said, I can definitely appreciate how the lead-up was handled.
I think Batman was well-handled here as well. Of course, he saves the day... but we're used to that. I like him as sort of an outsider... to the Outsiders. I mean, the gang know one another at this point... Batman is still a mystery. On the subject, I never took the time to consider that he and Alfred might speak in-code. I really like that detail... really reinforces that Batman is always thinking a few steps ahead.
Overall... I can't say enough good things about Batman and the Outsiders. This is definitely a series that is worth tracking down. The hardcover collection was recently released, also the whole shebang is available digitally. If you're a fan of the Marv Wolfman/George Perez New Teen Titans, I think you'll also really dig this.
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Batman and the Outsiders #19 (March, 1985)
"Who's Afraid of the Big Red S?"
Writer/Co-Creator - Mike W. Barr
Artist/Co-Creator - Jim Aparo
Colorist - Adrienne Roy
Cover Price: $0.75
Welcome to the first day of our Twelve Days of Christmas on Infinite Earths series! Gonna take this right up to the day itself. I was planning on starting the Christmas/Holiday special on December 1... but then remembered how burned out I got on horror books during the month of October... Figured a "Twelve Days of..." would suffice. Hell, if I'm still doing this next year I think October will get a "13 Days of Halloween" type'a thing to assuage extreme disinterest.
Anyhoo, that's neither here nor there... let's get right into it. Today we're going to be discussing another Christmas-themed issue of Batman and the Outsiders. Whenever I flip through my bins, I'm always surprised about how many Christmas-themed issues the Outsiders had!
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We open with Halo bursting into Wayne Manor... well, that certainly won't attract any attention, right? Luckily it's late on Christmas Eve, so nobody's really lurking about. In such a panic, she nearly knocks poor Alfred over, spilling his tray of baked treats... she's got some horrible news for the Batman! Well, it had better be important, Bruce has some Holiday reading to get to... she claims that Brion (Geo-Force) is on his way to kill someone! He settles her tea kettle and asks her to start at the beginning.
Earlier that night we see Brion setting up his Christmas decorations (and smashing his thumb with a hammer). Gaby arrives and they embrace. This is in between Part 1 and 2 of The Truth About Halo, so at this point she is living with her "family"... she's been a bit adrift from her Outsider pals. After becoming reacquainted, Brion produces a tiny box, one that might be the size of an engagement ring. This prompts Halo to "have a talk" with her man...
They both sit down with sullen looks on their face... they gather their gumption and at the same time they both announce that they don't love each other! Hey, how easy was that? That almost never happens... might just be the most unbelievable part of this comic book! Anyhoo, Gaby says she's just been confused... finding out who she is... finding out she's got a family... yadda yadda yadda. Brion says that he feels he might have been projecting his love for his dead sister Tara (that's Teen Titan Terror Terra to us), which is... kinda creepy, but I suppose I can forgive it. He never knew Tara, and feels as though he missed out on loving/protecting her. So, I guess he sees Gaby as his "little sister"... Hell, that's exactly how he refers to her when she opens her gift... which is a halo on a chain.
Halo decides to call Tatsu (Katana) to tell her about her gift, and to invite her over to Brion's. We briefly shift over to Tatsu's place, and we see her decline to answer the phone. As she listens to Halo's message she looks forlorn.
At this point, back in the "present", Bruce Wayne is all... "Get on with it!". It's really quite funny... I, myself, had almost forgotten that this was a flashback. Anyhoo... moments after trying to call Tatsu, Brion's phone rings. On the other end is one of his classmates, a girl named Denise. She just overdosed on sleeping pills and perhaps realized she's not quite ready to die. Brion heads off and Gaby calls the paramedics.
Moments later, we see Geo-Force carry the poor girl from her home and deposit her in the back of an ambulance. The paramedic informs him that she's "got a chance". Brion promises that the one responsible for this will pay.
Gaby asks for clarification... and he mentions that Denise had muttered something as he carried her out... something about a professor of theirs... Dean Raeburn. Doesn't that just sound like a teacher's name? Like, I couldn't make up a better one if I tried! Anyhoo, he crushes a brick in his hand, and heads off... to kill Raeburn!
This catches us up... Gaby went to Batman because she didn't know what else to do. Clearly she couldn't stop Geo-Force herself... Hell, Batman might not even be all that much help if it became physical... this leaves Bruce having to rely on one ace he still has up his sleeve... and if the cover didn't already spoil it for ya... that ace, is Superman!
Alerted to a flipped switch in the Batcave, Clark Kent leaves the festivities of the Daily Planet Christmas party and suits up for "work".
A bit later, Superman meets up with Halo so that she can fill him in on all the details. Gaby is immediately smitten with the Man of Steel... she's kind of acting like Ice would in his presence a half-decade later.
We shift scenes to a bell-ringer Santa Claus being held up by a street punk. Luckily Black Lightning and Katana are out patrolling the area on this night. Pierce zaps the baddie, and the Santa runs off to "get the P'lice" He even refers to the Outsiders as "Youngblood"... which makes me realize neither Black Lightning nor Katana are drawn with feet on this page.
The pair stop the baddie from reaching his gun while they discuss Tatsu's current "Gaby" problem. She claims that their separation needs to be permanent... for Gaby to truly move on and live with her family, Tatsu feels as though she should step aside and not be in the way. Black Lightning thinks what we're all thinking... and it is just one word, "Bull."
We rejoin Geo-Force just as he arrives at Dean Raeburn's cabin. He busts through the wall, Kool-Aid Man style, which causes Raeburn to go for his gun... bad move... Geo-Force crushes it in his hands. We learn that Raeburn withheld Denise's scholarship... unless she, ahem, "served his pleasure"... I know that's probably the least offensive way that can be stated, but somehow it sounds the grossest! He then lifts Raeburn off the ground threatening to cave in his skull!
Luckily, Superman (and Halo) have arrived in the nick of time. Geo-Force is lost in rage, and accuses Superman of protecting Raeburn... which, he sort of is... but he's protecting Brion too. Geo-Force does what everybody does when they're on the wrong side of Superman... he hauls off and punches him! Which works about as well as you'd imagine...
Superman throws Brion from the cabin, fearing further physicality in the cabin would hurt or injure everyone present. Brion slides back and hammers Superman from behind. Here we get a pretty neat use of Brion's powers... he can affect gravity... and since Superman's powers are due in part to Earth having far less gravitational pull than Krypton... Geo-Force can somewhat level the playing field.
We briefly cutaway to Metamorpho and his lady Sapphire as they complete their Christmas shopping. Sapphie thinks they're done, but Rex has other thoughts. He wants to buy a gift for her father... the same dude who tried to have him killed a few times. Aw, what the heck, it's Christmas!
Back by the cabin, Geo-Force is just walloping Superman! They continue their philosophical discussion as they fight. Geo-Force feels as though Raeburn's gotta pay with his life... while Superman, obviously, argues that there is a system in place to deal with people like the Dean. Brion argues that it will simply be Denise's word against the Dean's... and sadly, he's not wrong. Superman realizes that the fighting is futile... he looks around to make sure nobody is around, and with a thunderous clap... triggers an avalanche.
He plucks Geo-Force out of the powder, and returns to the cabin to confront Raeburn. Of course, the Dean is none too quick to come clean... in fact, he threatens to sue for damages! As if by magic, Batman appears holding a yellow envelope. Inside are six signed affidavits from victims of Raeburn's "pleasure favors", which along with Denise's, will hopefully put this perv away.
We wrap up with battle-bruised Brion visiting Denise in the hospital. She is well on her way to recovery. She asks what day it is... and he informs her it is Christmas.
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Man I love this series! Just can't get over how much fun I have whenever I check out an issue of Batman and the Outsiders. Never expected much from it, but damn... this is some great comics. Between this and the New Teen Titans going on at the same time... what a great time it would've been to be a DC Comics fan!
A lot of stuff happened here... so let's try and piece it all out. We'll start with one of the things that made me chuckle... Gaby telling Bruce the story... and losing her place in it! I thought this was so well executed... because I lost my place in it too! When Bruce put his hand on her shoulder, it was just as though he was reminding me that there ought to be a point to her tale. So great! It also shows us that Gaby is sort of acting like a normal teenager might. Of course, since we already know "The Truth About Halo", that's kind of iffy... but, the way I look at it... we're all kind of a product of our environment. Who and what we are surrounded by can have a profound impact on our behavior. If everyone around Gaby is treating her like she's a teenager... it might stand to reason that she would begin acting as such. Orrrrrrrrr I might just be thinking too hard. Either way, loved this bit!
The Tatsu (which I type as Tatus EVERY time) and Gaby relationship is another interesting part. I'm not sure what kind of vibe we were supposed to be getting from Tatsu's feelings... I consider Barr to be a pretty subtle writer, similar to Marv Wolfman... I dunno if we're supposed to read more into Tatsu's affections. Granted this may all be revealed in an issue I haven't yet checked out. If I were to guess, I would say that Tatsu has some protective urges... everything she has done for Gaby thus far has been what she considers to be in her (Gaby's) best interests. I know very little about Katana's past... for all I know she might, just like Brion, be projecting "little sister" feelings toward her.
Brion and Gaby deciding that they love one another... but don't love one another was pretty great. Just another one of those things that make you realize that these are (for all intents and purposes) young people. People who are confused about their emotions... those who may misdirect their affections. It really humanizes them, and I appreciate it being here.
Moving ahead a bit... we've got the philosophical debate between Geo-Force and Superman. Superman has mostly (well, maybe not during the Golden Age) been portrayed as letting the system work... and getting involved when it doesn't. Brion, being... again, a young dude... doesn't quite dig that idea... especially when what has gone down has affected him personally. I really like that Batman was able to dig up a half-dozen more victims of Raeburn's "advances"... it paints an interesting picture... nobody was there for them, the way Brion was for Denise. No matter how personally one takes an affront to justice, there is always going to be injustice. Or, again... maybe I'm just thinking too hard.
Brion took this personally... and just maybe, he doesn't trust "the system". Gotta remember, he's from Markovia... a country that was taken over by the Soviets. He may understand first hand that the "system" doesn't always work. He mentions that it would be a simple game of "he said/she said" should it escalate... which, as noted above, is sadly true. I'm glad this cynical view saw print... because it is very real. There is a maturation in comics during this era. There is skepticism... doubt... distrust. It would be refreshing, if not for the subject matter! He even kind of stumps Superman with his cynicism!
Which takes us to the super-avalanche. It's a little thing, but I love that Barr and Aparo had Superman make sure the coast was clear before triggering it! This shows a more conscientious Superman as we ready ourselves for the post-Crisis era. I mean, we've discussed stories in which Superman set off massive earthquakes just to screw with the baddies... likely causing a ridiculous amount of damage, destruction... and casualties! Here however, he makes sure nobody will be hurt before slippin' the slopes. Very well done.
Overall, if my gushing didn't make it obvious... this issue (and series) is definitely worth your time.
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Batman and the Outsiders #28 (December, 1985)
"The Truth About Looker, Part 1: Abduction From Below"
Writer/Editor - Mike W. Barr
Artist - Alan Davis
Letterer - John Workman
Colorist - Adrienne Roy
Cover Price: $0.75
It wasn't too long ago that we checked in with the Outsiders to get "The Truth About Halo"... so, I figure why not see if we can't get to the bottom of Looker... Let's do it!
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We open with Halo nervously flipping through a hairstyle magazine while April... also nervously brandishes a pair of scissors. Halo is about to make a drastic change in her appearance as a way to claim at least a piece of her Earthly existence as her own. April is hesitant, but Gaby is steadfast... and so it goes.
We join Katana, Geo-Force and Black Lightning relaxing at an outdoor cafe at the Wayne Foundation. Tatsu shares a story of seeing Halo looking to the stars the evening before, commenting that she can "never go back". With the knowledge of Gaby's true nature, she seems to view her quite differently than she had before.
The trio breaks up and heads back into the building... with Tatsu walking right into her newly-shorn pal. And this haircut... lemme tell ya, it's really quite a sight. Gaby said she asked all the boys at school how she should get her hair cut... I have serious doubts that the overwhelming consensus was "pompadour". Yikes.
Before Gaby and Tatsu can continue their chat they are approached by the bookish-looking Emily Briggs. She has come to apologize to Katana for her behavior at the bank a few days back. She panics, and tries to leave... feeling as though she was wrong to visit. She really is quite squirrely. Outside we see a shadowy trenchcoated man. He is holding two marbles that appear to control a pair of thugs... their target: Mrs. Briggs.
We travel across the Atlantic to Switzerland... where Rex and Sapphire Mason are on their Honeymoon. Before they can get down to it, there is a loud shrieking from outside. Rex knows it's time to make the donuts, and so he Metamorpho's up.
On the slopes, he witnesses Prince William about to be abducted by some goons in green cloaks. Metamorpho quickly takes out all but one... the last one standing is holding a marble similar to the goon squad outside the Wayne Foundation. He uses it to draw Rex's consciousness out of his body.
Back in Gotham, Tatsu and Emily are walking outside. It's weird, right next to the majestic Wayne building... is a seedy alley. The ladies are attacked by the thugs from earlier. Briggs is abducted and Katana is awoken by the police some time later. She claims that she "fell"... she wants these thugs for herself.
After paying a visit to Mr. Briggs, the Outsiders head to the most likely place his wife is being held... Morgan Jones' yacht. On board, Black Lightning and Katana happen across the pair of thugs... and Katana jumps them straightaway. It's a fairly brutal... and one-sided fight. Pierce is content just kayoing his opponent... Katana bloodies hers real good by bashing his face into the deck.
Finally, Batman is face to face with Jones himself. A gangster holds him at gunpoint... which is easily reversed into putting Batman into a most opportune position. A working knowledge of how nerves work serves our man quite well.
The baddies start jumping overboard leaving the Outsiders ample opportunity to question Jones. When presented with a composite sketch, he claims to recognize Emily Briggs. He refers to her as a "mousey bank clerk" and assures Batman that he is out of the kidnapping game.
Batman takes a look at the fallen thugs and suddenly his radiation detector starts going off. This draws his attention to a shattered glass bauble. He uses his bat-science to deduce that the radiation in question could dominate a brain. Man, got it on the first try!
We conclude with Batman and the Outsiders resolving to rescue Mrs. Briggs... and speaking of our Emily, we find that she is still being held by ol' trenchcoat... who removes his hat, revealing himself to be... um... some bald guy!
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Not a bad issue. Not as intriguing as the opening chapter to the Halo-centric story from several months before, but still perfectly solid comic bookery.
It is still taking some getting used seeing Alan Davis on art. The art is great though... well, except there seems to be something a little off about the way he draws Katana. Her head has a definite "Ernie from Sesame Street" shape to it. It's weird.
I think if we were to look for themes in this issue, the one that immediately comes to mind is that of identity. I suppose we can start with Looker herself, Emily Briggs. We see her in her "plain Jane" persona here... most definitely not the costumed bombshell we may come to expect. She appears to be uncomfortable in her skin... and perhaps even a bit intimidated by being in the presence of beautiful women, like during the scene where she meets Gaby.
Speaking of Gaby... here we observe her making a drastic change to her appearance in attempt to take ownership over her new identity. In cutting her long hair she is both appeasing DC editorial who wanted some shorter-haired female superheroes, and proving to herself that there are certain aspects of her identity that she could control and affect. It's a fairly worn trope, however, quite effective in light of Halo's recent wringer-ride. Though I'm not sure I'd have gone with the pompadour...
Overall... another fun issue of Batman and the Outsiders. I'm still surprised at how much I am enjoying this run... and at how long I'd avoided getting around to reading it!
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