RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #2

[ OUTLAWS ON A BARGAIN ] 

There once was a rogue called Jason. Who did have quite a bad reputation. But do not dismay, he did have time to play, and that is why he is no Dick Grayson. Or alternatively, maybe you should read this comic book Written by Scott Lobdell; Drawn by Kenneth Rocafort; and Published by DC Comics in November 2011.

So what’s the story morning glory?

This second instalment of Red Hood and the Outlaws, entitled ‘Shot Through the Heart – and Who is to Blame?’ is a nicely structured tale in three parts.

Now the first part concerns Jason (Red-Hood) Todd’s back-story – about how after his resurrection, Talia Al Ghul introduced Jason to wise teacher called Ducra, whom taught him how to be a ‘trained assassin and a better person’.

Next, the second part of this tale, is set within recent times, and how Jason, Roy, and Kory, all travel to Hong Kong, and beat up some of Jason’s ‘known felons, just so that he can get his ‘wings’ (don’t ask).

And the final part of this tale, is how Jason – aided by ‘the gang’ – goes to avenge Durca’s death.

What is the most memorable sentence spoken in this issue?

After Durca gives Jason a slap, she says to him ‘I can mold you into the most skilled assassin in the world. All you have to do is stop being such a yutz’.

Was the story any good?

Personally speaking, I did not mind the story at all. It presented a bit more depth into Jason’s ‘current character’, as well as progressed the evolving ‘team story’ also. Granted, it is not too highly developed as a ‘grander tale’ – and does come across as somewhat jovial at times. However, in a round about way, the joviality does generally help the dynamism and the pace of this piece.

Was the art any good?

I do like Kenneth’s art. Its bold, its brash, it has a distinctive ‘Image’ style, and it is clear in composition too. On the down side of this though, I do find that his characterisations a mite overt at times – especially the women in this issue – because they either look like ‘porn stars’ or ‘bag ladies’.

What is the best thing about this issue?

I enjoyed the scene in which Roy attempts to ‘air his views’ about his ‘liaison’ with Kory. Blatantly, Jason and the orange vixen do not want him to say anything.

What is the worst thing about this issue?

For a start, I was not too keen on Jason’s back-story – as it felt too conceptual as a definition, and kind of superfluous once Ducra died. Also, why are ‘the ladies’ attracted to Jason all of a sudden? Is his ‘bad-boy’ image that irresistible?

If you could sum up this issue in a phrase or saying, what would that phrase or saying be?

“Never piss off a Kung-Fu Granny”.

If this issue were a movie, an object, or a piece of music, what would that be and why? 

This issue reminded me of an amalgamation of an old Hong Kong revenge film (such as ‘Snake in the Eagle's Shadow ’) and a Judd Apatow / Seth Rogan movie (take your pick) – both jovial and vengeance driven together.

What do you think would have made this issue better than it was?

More depth to the story – and Kory should have been given something more to do than show her tits and pout a lot.

Final thoughts...

Overall, this was an above average issue of Red Hood and the Outlaws. The art was nice, the story was well structured, and – in places – it was quite entertaining also. Now if this comic book had a major flaw to it, that would be that the dynamic of the concept has not been fully defined yet, and the characters (especially Kory and Jason) do come across as somewhat confusing.

Marks out of 10? 8