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RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #16

[ SMILING SAVINGS
I love it when two team clash. It's somewhat thrilling, and always a good bash. Red Hood knows the score. Red Robin wants more. And the rest of them want to go for slash. But only if this it's allowed by the earthy creative team of Writer: Scott Lobdell; Artist: Timothy Green; and Publisher: DC Comics in February 2013.

Using GENERAL terms, answer the following 4 questions about this STORY entitled ''.
  • WHAT'S THE MAIN THRUST OF THIS TALE: As soon at the Teen Titans and the Outlaws join forces, Roy orders Kori, Kid Flash, Wonder Girl, and Solstice, to retrieve a batch of Joker-anti-toxin from a disused warehouse he's located, leaving him and Bunker to fend off a bunch of Jokerized homeless people until they get back.
  • ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED: Yeah. In a manner of speaking, they do.
  • ANYTHING ELSE HAPPEN: Roy reminisces about how Killer Crock helped him back onto his feet again many-many years ago. And a new author is introduced to the New52 too -- some chap called Doctor Hugo Strange. You might have heard of him?
  • HOW DOES THIS STORY END: With the Joker tampering about with the Red Hood's helmet, whilst Deathstroke prepares himself to take on the Outlaws.

What is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?
Even though I thought it was somewhat amusing to hear Roy say that Bunker reminds him of what he was like when he was younger -- snigger-snigger -- I did like reading his opening remarks a lot more. Particularly that bit where he said...

'My name is Roy Harper. Arsenal when my mask is on. When Starfire and I came to Gotham to search for our friend, Jason Todd, the second to last thing I expected was a small army of homeless people turned into an army of deranged Joker stand-ins. But, hey -- it is Gotham City, right? Abandon hope, all ye who enter'.

The tag-line is a real zinger as well, isn't it?

What was the BEST thing about this issue?
As much as I did enjoy following the flashback sequence and the conceptual intent of the 'Jokerized premise', the stand-out for me has to be the cameos presented in this issue. Doctor Hugo Strange. Deathstroke. The Joker. Wow! It's starting to look like the Outlaws are in store for one hell of a crazy time ahead, huh? Furthermore, you know that it's bound to be good. Reeeeeeaaally good.

What was the WORST thing about this issue?
All in all Timothy Green isn't a bad artist really. His facial expressions show character. His backgrounds complement his foregrounds. And his style of pencilling is very uniquely his own. However, the one thing I'm too happy about with Tim's work; is how his children look like adults.

Yeah. No kidding. There was a panel in this comic book where Bunker and Arsenal were standing together side by side, and for the life of me, they looked exactly the same age. Right down to their broad shoulders.  

What was the most INNOVATIVE thing about this issue?
On a subliminal level this tale was a way of showing how Roy has progresses so much since he was a drug-addled teenager, because now he is confident enough to help out other teenagers like Killer Crock did for him in the past.

Personally speaking, I thought this 'additional layer' was a very nice 'mirror image' to include into a tale that didn't really need it in hindsight. As it gave the overall story a little more depth and girth, and was just great to read.

Pick TWO CHARACTERS out this comic book, and compare them individually to a SIMPSONS CAST MEMBER.
MILHOUSE VAN HOUTEN AS BUNKER: Come on. Don't tell me it wouldn't surprise you to hear that Milhouse... err... you know... likes to dress in purple. Hint-hint!

CRAZY CAT LADY AS A JOKERIZED GOTHAMITE: Again. I don't have to explain myself, do I dear reader? She's a crazy cat lady. Nuff said.

What WORD or PHRASE could you use to sum-up this story?
'As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands: one for helping yourself, the other for helping others' -- Audrey Hepburn

What SONG, THEME-TUNE, or MELODY, would complement this tale, as well as add and extra dimension to it by default?
'BABY COME BACK' BY UB40 AND PANTO BANTON: Largely due to all of the fetching and reminiscing done in this adventure, I thought this reggae / rap hybrid would be a fairly decent match.




ANYTHING Else?
If this issue of 'Red Hood and The Outlaws' was a piece of cheese, it would have to be: fat free, slightly mild, and with a picked chilly inserted into the middle of it for good measure.

I'm sure you know the type of thing. Right? Although it may taste slightly bland after the first nibble, once you've taken a big bite out of it, you know what it's really all about.

See what I mean? Huh? What do you mean 'P*ss off! Your talking out of your ass again butt-face'? That's not very nice now, is it dear reader?  I am just trying to convey to you in terms of cheese what the experience of reading this comic book was actually like.

Huh? What's that again? Oh! You don't like cheese! OK then. What about if I said that this adventure was like a hand-grenade inserted into sesame seed bun, topped off with ham, lettuce, salami, pickle, and cheese -- no -- scrap that -- you don't like cheese -- I mean, couscous.

HUH? WHAT? YOU DON'T LIKE SESAME SEED'S? Sod you then. I'm going to make myself something to eat. I'm hungry.

GIVE IT, IT'S DUES: A much better issue than I initially thought it would be, plus it had some really intriguing surprises too.

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #16 RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #16 Reviewed by David Andrews on February 11, 2013 Rating: 5
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