Customer Reviews

Batman and the Outsiders: The Chrysalis (Batman & the Outsiders)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

With this trade, you can regrettably add one more title to the list of frustrating and inexcusably botched DCU relaunches since One Year Later. People who follow the comics industry may already be familiar with the behind the scenes intrigue that took place before its new debut, with the original writer slated for it, Tony Bedard, being removed at the last moment for unbeknownst reasons. In quickly steps Chuck Dixon to purportedly right the ship, an already sticky situation also saddled with an apparent editorially mandated cast of characters. This resulted in a team formulated by a revolving door policy painfully lacking much needed chemistry and appeal, with the overall disappointing outcome possibly being a direct byproduct of these circumstances. The concept of a Batman led black ops troop has always held intriguing possibilities, but unfortunately usually misfired in its creative execution. Sad to say, this is another shameful example. The basic premise is fairly interesting, centering on a discovered OMAC and its possible use by shadowy adversaries for some ulterior purpose on another planet. However very little of import takes place, with Dixon instead focusing more on internal bickering and gratuitous titillation than the telling of a substantial and compelling tale. It also doesn't help that the trade, consisting of only five rapid read issues, unforgivably ends right in the middle of the story, therefore creating the impression of a serious lack of foresight by the powers that be. In view of its inauspicious beginnings, this project almost seemed doomed from the start, yet the lunacy incredibly rages on. Recently Chuck Dixon and DC bitterly parted ways, which is a whole other soap opera for another time. Considering the current uncertain status of Batman due to RIP, one has to wonder what the future holds for this comic, and whether or not it even has one.

How many times will DC re-launch the Outsiders? Chuck Dixon's short-lived series is one of the better takes on Batman's "side project," although it doesn't suffer from its flaws. The rotating cast (including Martian Manhunter and Green Arrow) work in the context, since Batman tends to not be a team player. The fight between the Outsiders and the Justice League feels forced. Isn't Batman smarter than that? Apparently, Dixon isn't a team player, either--he was let go from DC, and this series is being re-launched with a new line-up yet again.

The Outsiders were a concept ahead of its time. When they were formed in the early 80, the Outsiders were a group of heroes, led by Batman, who did not fit into the mainstream heroics of the Justice League--indeed, even handling the dirty tasks some heroes would not want to handle. The concept seems to fit better in the late 2000s and early 2010s than it did the 80s or even the 90s. "Batman and the Outsiders: the Chrysalis" tackles the concept with Batman serving as the enigmatic leader to a motley group of heroes. One of the problems with this book is the group is too motley. There are some solid secondary characters here but they get lost as major characters pop up in cameos and then promptly leave. Catwoman, Martian Manhunter, Green Arrow, the late Elongated Man and his equally deceased wife Sue, Hawkgirl all show up--and most of them quickly depart. Nor are the villains particularly memorable. What holds the book together besides a fast moving plot is trying to keep up with Batman and following a solid cast of secondary characters who deserved more attention than they received in this work. Yes, DC had issues with staffers when they relaunched the Oustiders line but that type of inside baseball can only explain so much. This is not a bad book by any means but there is a lot of unfulfilled potential here.

Fast moving lots of cool additions to the team coming and going and fantastic artwork. I was really glad I ordered both trades because I jumped right into the next one "Snare" when I finished. If you enjoy Metamorpho, he steals the show in this one.

As a fan of Judd Winick's Outsiders series I've been anxious to get my hands on this book. Outsiders: Five of a Kind (Outsiders) left me excited about Batman returning to the helm of the group. After reading more than one negative review I was nervous I'd be let down. Even though Chuck Dixon is a favorite writer of mine I figured everybody makes a mistake and I was worried he might phone this one in. If he did phone it in, I sure can't tell.

I love this story. I'm not at all let down. I'm intrigued by where the book leaves off, but I feel satisfied that the chapter of the story is over. The internal bickering of characters seems completely in line with Judd Winick's group. Infighting is part of the fun! It's like superhero reality TV.

The art and coloring is at least adequate. Each chapter starts with the cover picture in it's raw form. I LoVe that. I wish all TPB used that format instead of putting "cover galleries" in the back. Do what I do and buy this one cheap. There's certainly no reason to pay retail for this book and if I had I'd feel shortchanged but at the right price this is a very fun read even if it's a little too short. The good ones always seem to short anyway.