RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #21

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A couple of years before he joined forces with Batman, the second Robin, Jason Todd, worked as a monkey wrangler in a wildlife park situated in Detroit, whilst the Writer: James Tynion IV; and the Artist: Julius Gopez; slapped them. Yeah. If you don't believe me, just ask those Elephant huggers, DC Comics, in May, 2013? OOGGA-OGGAA!

Using GENERAL terms, answer the following 4 questions about this STORY entitled 'Dissolution'.

• WHAT'S THE MAIN THRUST OF THIS TALE: Roy Harper thought that it would be a good idea to pay a visit to his therapist, Professor Hugo Strange, so that he could help him sort out his head.
• ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED: No. Not really. Essence suddenly shows up and informs Kori that the Professor has sold Roy out to 'The Untitled', and this eventually results in a peculiar parting of ways. 
• ANYTHING ELSE HAPPEN: Somewhere else, Jay gets into a scrap with Lady Shiva, Cheshire, December Graystone, and Bronze Tiger, and they take him back to the sacred city of the 'League of Assassins' -- called 'Eth Alth'Eban' -- afterwards.
• HOW DOES THIS STORY END: With Kori going, KISS! With Roy going, HI! And with Jay going, OH!

All in all, what is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

Although he's a lying piece of pond scum, I did like it when Hugo said to Roy...

'You've always been so eager to trust those who've done nothing to earn your trust. It's hurt you before'

... because on a certain level this statement it very-very true. Well, in my own opinion, this 'New 52' version of Roy is a much more humane person than he's ever been previously. I just hope that his frailties don't hinder him too much over time. 

What are the BEST bits about this issue?

(+) Thank God Ben Turner isn't a... ahem... man with a permanent cat head. Honestly, when I first saw those designs on the DC Comic website, I thought to myself 'Nooo!! Don't mess him up like that! Ben's a great character. Not Toby the tiger!'.

(+) Julius Gopez is one smashing artist, and in my book, his earthy and polished style has transformed this title into some sort of seventies action-adventure. Brilliant. Just Brilliant. 

(+) The counselling sessions between Roy and Hugo was to die for. It was informative by nature. It was very personal to follow. And the only thing I didn't like about it; was that it was interrupted by something... coff... else.

What are the WORST bits about this issue?

(-) If truth be told, there were two concepts in this comic book which didn't really work for me in retrospect. Firstly, a utopian city full of assassins seems like a silly idea on the printed page. As what's stopping them from running amuck or fighting amongst themselves? And secondly, what type of a name is December Graystoke? Plus why the hell did he and the 'assassin squad' piss about by attempting to capture Jason? Why didn't they just -- BANG! -- and be done with it?

(-) Essence's brief appearance felt very wedged into this issue, as if she has a mysterious and elusive quota to fill each time she shows up.

Choose TWO CHARACTERS out of this comic book, and then compare them to two ANIMALS.

A TIGER AS BRONZE TIGER: What? Is this comparison too obvious for you? Come of it! What other animal could I compare him to? A polar bear perhaps?

A POLAR BEAR AS DOCTOR HUGO STRANGE: No. I didn't just chose this creature because I just thought of it. Instead, I thought to myself: what animal has beady eyes, white tuffs, and once had a lengthy conversation with Roy Harper? Simple as that.

What QUOTE would be appropriate to sum-up this story?

'Don't let mental blocks control you. Set yourself free. Confront your fear and turn the mental blocks into building blocks'. -- Roopleen

What SONG, THEME-TUNE, or MELODY, would complement this tale, as well as add and extra dimension to it by default?

'LEADER OF THE PACK' BY 'THE SHANGRI-LAS': Now if you think very closely, folks, this song and this story is about how one person feels about another person, who by the default, is some type of leader. See where I'm coming from? Hint-Hint!

ANYTHING Else?

So there you are, one of the many members of the 'League of Assassins', strolling on down 'Gnash-Fish-Hsuahsa' Street, situated on the Eastern quarter of 'Eth Alth'Eban'. So go on, what do you find in your travels, huh? What types of shops or places will pepper your path? Oh! I know...

• 'Guns R Us' -- For all your municipal needs.
• 'Crazy Joes Broom and Groom' -- So Bronze Tiger can have his fur spring cleaned.
• 'Whore Not Law' -- Just in case you may require a good hard... coff-coff.
• 'Monster Marks Movie Emporium' -- Screw screaming videos. We only have VHS here.
• 'Ali Ka-Boom's: Ding-Ding Ba-Bing' -- With a half-price nuke-em duke-em sale now on.
• Gamblers Anonymous -- If you don't say where your money's coming from, we won't either.
• A Private Medical Facility -- Well, not so private really. Unless you're a politician of course.

Anyway. That's enough of my silliness for this month, folks. All I have left to say is that this issue of 'Red Hood and the Outlaws' was a great read all in all. The art was seventies in tone. The story was cryptic by nature. And by in large this was one great book that's one hell of a sight for sore eyes.

Nuff said.