Red Hood and the Outlaws 23
James Tynion IV, Julius Gopez
Spoiler alert! You have been warned!
James Tynion IV and Julius Gopez are continuing to explore the new “team” dynamics within this book without forgetting to insert very-necessary humor. The first few issues of this new creative team’s run were a little slow, but they’ve really come into their own and are starting to portray the three main characters (and the new cast of the inner circle of the League of Assassins) not only accurately and intelligently, but in a fun and unique manner not felt in any of the other DC books on the stands.
This issue starts off right away with a pretty sweet battle between Arsenal and, well, everybody. He loses, yes, but he definitely puts up a good fight. But as Jason steps in and saves him from being killed by the rest of the League, he barters for Roy and Starfire’s lives in exchange for voluntarily leading the team. So, in a sense, whether they want to or not, the other two members of the Outlaws have inadvertently become members of Ra’s al Ghul’s team of loyal killers and former mercenaries. Of course, this is a true team-up based on common interests: Survival. Because before anyone can argue too long or posture too much, the army that has come to end the balance between good and evil in the world has come to destroy Jason and his combined team of recovering superheroes and soldiers of fortune.
I’m sure someone will probably die in the war coming next issue, but I hope that the bigger shakeup is felt when the dust settles. This could go a number of interesting ways. Jason could leave his friends forever, leading the League out of some sense of misguided and newfound purpose. Jason could leave the League forever and gain new and very powerful enemies by doing the right thing and trying to continue the path of the hero. Or, what I’m hoping, is that he somehow either convinces Roy and Starfire to stay with him or Bronze Tiger and Cheshire to leave with him, forming a new team of Outsiders. This could be an awesome chance for Tynion and Gopez to add to the roster without it seeming forced or unnecessary. Either way, I’m excited to see how this all plays out. Consider me hooked again!
My Rating: 4.5/5
