COMIC BINGE: RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS, VOL 4: LEAGUE OF ASSASSINS
PLOT: A new era begins for Red Hood and the Outlaws (collects #19-24 & Annual #1)! Following the Joker’s horrifying attack on the Bat-family, Jason Todd finds himself lost in his own past. Kori and Arsenal set out on a treacherous journey to the far reaches of the globe to rescue him, but when they come face to face with the All Caste, Hugo Strange, and the League of Assassins, the Outlaws might reach their breaking point.
REVIEW: Red Hood and the Outlaws is one of the good new titles to come out of the New 52 movement. After the events of the Death in the Family arc that swept across multiple Batman titles, Jason Todd has found himself exhausted and unsure of his former life. The Joker seems to have that effect on the Robins, but fortunately in this book there are other characters that grace the pages while Red Hood fumbles through his new reality. This collection does feature the first issues from the new writer James Tynion IV, whose recent work includes collaboration with Scott Snyder on New 52 Batman and Talon (which is worth reading if you’re looking for something new). I have to say that I am really pleased with his takeover, and really transitioned well into a great story of redemption for Jason Todd.
For those who may not know, Jason Todd was once a Robin to Batman. He was beaten brutally to death with a crowbar by The Joker in 1988 when Denny O’Neil penned Batman #428, after readers voted whether or not the character would die after the previous issue. Jason Todd was revived, and has been through several incarnations since, but is now the leader of the Outlaws in the New 52. What this book has always had going for it is that it is Gotham oriented, and thus allows for a lot of great stories for the main character, the previous volume as evidence. This is a new beginning for the comic with a new author, but also with it being post-Death in the Family we find Jason Todd in a new place. With his memories now removed from his mind, he lives in another realm and away from the world that has driven him to evils he did not wish to commit. This book chronicles a rebirth, if you will, of the Red Hood character after this huge event swept through Gotham in all of the previous third volumes. This tale of redemption is what mostly sold the book for me, as I’m a sucker for any story like it. It’s not the only good thing about this book, and I will say there is a surprise visit from a familiar Batman villain in the final issues.
The Outlaws are rounded out with Starfire (not your kid-friendly, innocent Teen Titans version), and Roy Harper a.k.a. Arsenal. What you get with these three characters assembled, is a lot of great banter but also a lot of great interaction on an emotional level. Roy was an underling of Green Arrow, and quite possibly saved by him from alcoholism and general shitbaggery. Starfire as you know, is an alien who was betrayed by her sister on her home planet, and now happens to fight crime for us (go aliens). The three of these characters together provides quite a few laughs, and that has probably been the best ongoing quality of this title. This collection also delves into Roy’s relationship to his team, and with others, to show just how much he cares about his fellow heroes now that he has since redeemed himself, at least in his own eyes. Roy has a really great moment mid-book that was the ultimate punchline to his always present humor. This book is plenty epic, at a little larger than your normal size volume, and is perfect for new readers to jump in on. You may only need to brush up on your Death in the Family knowledge (which is not too difficult) to give this a read, and I would recommend Scott Lobdell’s run through the first three volumes if you enjoy this one. Looking forward to more from Tynion IV in the next volume of this fun New 52 title.
RATED : ( PG-13 )
WRITING : ( 7 / 10 )
STORY : ( 8 / 10 )
COVERS : ( 8 / 10 )
AWESOME : ( 7 / 10 )
FINAL RATING : ( 8 / 10 )