RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #15

[ TIME TO BUY ] 

I've never been a big fan of events. They're sloppy, over produced, and make no sense. The Outlaws know what I mean. The Teen Titans dance with Mister Bean. Whilst they listen to the singer, Fifty Cents. Yeah. Just ask the funky creative team of Writer: Scott Lobdell; Artist: Timothy Green; and Publisher: DC Comics in January 2013. Boo-yahh!

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

Now can you guess when Roy and Kori come to Jay's rescue in this adventure entitled 'It Only Hurts When I Laugh'? Is it:

1. When he is attacked by the Gotham City Police Department, because they think he's killed his recently deceased girlfriend, Isabella.
2. When he is kidnapped by the Joker, who tortuous him both physiologically and physically.
3. When Harvey Bullock calls Jay's on his phone, only for Roy to overhear Harvey's message.
4. When it seems blatantly obvious that a Teen Titans cross-over is eminent, especially when Jay bumps into Tim, whilst Roy and Kori bump into the rest of his gang.

Yes. That is correct, dear reader. The answer is 'C'. For that, you win a... to be continued.

What is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

I did enjoy reading Jay's noir-like monologue whilst he was battling the GCPD. Especially that part where he says to himself...

'I can't blame them for my mistakes. Even if the Joker hadn't said he was coming for us -- the whole Bat-Clan -- being here painted a huge mark on Isabella's back. More importantly, I shouldn't have listened to Bruce. Batman said the Joker was bluffing. That the psychopath didn't know who we are. Damn you Bruce. You were either wrong or you lied. Now an innocent woman is paying the price'.

Wow! Very harsh words indeed. Let's see if this has any reprisals in the future, huh?

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

One of the stand-out things for me whilst reading this adventure; is the notion that the Joker was in someway responsible for making Jay the man he is today, plus him realizing this fact.

My God! Was that suspenseful or what! The way the Joker kept on alluding to this past ploy, again and again and again. It was kind of similar to when... errr... no... not yet. I leave that for later me thinks.

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

My one small gripe with this story was how contrary it seemed for Jay to grab his uniform whilst fighting the police force. Come on. If you've got the 5O on your tail, are you going to think to yourself 'One minute? I have to swipe my dud's just in case we cross-over with the Teen Titans!'.

Oh! That reminds me...

What was the most INNOVATIVE thing about this issue?

 ...I did like the incremental way that the Teen Titans were introduced into this tale. First you caught a quick glimpse of Red-Robin lying unconscious by the side of Jason Todd. Then you saw Bunker and Kid Flash a few pages later, bumping into Kori and Roy.

Yowser! I hope that the next instalment is going to be a good one.

If you had to CAST TWO CHARACTERS in this comic book, who would they be and why?

KORI: Still in plant-based casting-call land, dear reader, and still in the mood to cast this Tamaran princess as if she were an Orange Tree. Well, they're both orange, sweat, and have a lovely pair of... errr... next!

ROY: My Mum bought me a red 'Christmas Poinsettia' plant three Christmases ago, and the blooming thing is still alive. Moreover, just like the aforementioned Mister Harper, this botanical beauty loves pot.

Ops! Was that a bad joke?

What QUOTE could you use to sum-up this story?

'You can't choose you're family, but you can choose you're friends' -- Harper Lee

If this issue were a MOVIE, an OBJECT, or a piece of MUSIC, what would that be and why? 

Largely because of the Red-Hood / Joker connection heavily implied in this issue, I feel that the following scene from the Mel Brooks comedy, 'Spaceballs', would be a family decent match.

FINAL thoughts...

Whilst reading this particular issue of 'Red Hood and the Outlaws', a strange notion suddenly popped into my mind, making me realise what the Joker might be playing at.

OK. Just think about it for a moment. Over in the Suicide Squad, the Joker mentioned that he 'created' a number of other Harley Quinn's before he created the current one. Plus in this story, he insinuates to Jay that he somehow turned him into the man he is today.

Do you see what I am getting at, dear reader? Is the Joker creating his 'own Family', cause Batman has his? Moreover, do think Jay is the link between both parties, partly due to what the Joker has done to him in the past?

Food for thought, huh?  Food for thought.  

MARKS out of 10? 9