RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #8

[ BIG DISCOUNT ] 

Susie Sue is finally back. You can tell from the size of her crack. Kory is not amused. Roy looks abused. And Jason is bringing up the slack. I wished that these people were as well. Writer: Scott Lobdell; Artist: Kenneth Rocafort; and Publisher: DC Comics in May 2012. Though it could just be the way they are sitting.

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

In 'Last Regrets, I Had A Few', we see Jay, Roy, and Kory, primed and ready to make some fat b*tches life a living hell.

You see, portly Hong-Kong crime boss, Suzie Su, wants to get her own back on Jason Todd, because this red-hooded rascal shot her into a coma quite a few issues ago. Therefore, for Suzie to carry out her revenge, what she does is to lure Jay and his pal's back to Gotham City, by holding a hospital full of sick children hostage.

Ooops! Bad Idea. 

Well, let us just say our trio to turn-coat troublemakers make short work of Suzie and her ruse. Inadvertently making them be in the right place, at the right time, to hear Alfred, Batman's butler, send out a distress call to all of the Bat-clan in the vicinity.

'The Court of Owl's are on the prowl, we need your help Obi Wan-Kenobi, you're our only hope'.

Or something like that anyway.

So do you think that Jay complies with this call for help? Maybe. If Tim Drake has anything to say about it he does.

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

I thought it funny when Roy broke into the hospital, and said to the gunmen...

"Can you help me? I'm looking for the cosmetic surgery ward. You can't tell in this light, but I really hate my nose".

Ha! What a joker! Plus I liked Jay's and Tim's conversation in its entirety. Very revealing.

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

The little nods and winks to continuity was a blast to read in this issue. For example, that whole scene between Jay and Tim was just a joy overall, especially that pre-cursor to the Teen Titan book, relating to the Cassie Sandsmark. Moreover, I did like how the gang are starting to gel as a team, making this dysfunctional family really click on more than one level. 

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

I suppose in hindsight, the whole Suzie Su segment was just an excuse to get 'The Outlaws' in Gotham City. Still, it worked as a tale on its own. So this is only a small gripe really. 

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: Although this story was obviously a story divisible by two, I have to admit, that it did not really feel that way whilst reading it. Personally speaking, I put this down to the way that writer, Scott Lobdell, has managed to layer in his jovial tone throughout this book, allowing this tale to feel like a running narrative.

ART: That whole fight scene between Jay and Suzie was very funny to look at. I could almost envision what it would look like in real-life - half amusing, half baroque, and all style. Good on you artist, Kenneth Rocafort, you have just made the implausible plausible.

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

SUZIE SU: As Gwyneth Paltrow did that whole 'big girl' thing in the film 'Shallow Hal', I am sure that she could also do the same thing again with red hair and a fiery temper.

OLD LADY CRIME BOSS WITH STICK: I would love for see ex-Golden Girl, Betty White, say "Kill that snot nosed punk", particularly if she is meant to play a crime boss. Wouldn't that be age-tastic?

If this issue had a MOVIE TAG LINE, what would it be?

Never Hold A Hospital Hostage. Vote Democrat.

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

So this issue was an excuse to get the team in Gotham City for the 'Court of Owls' cross-over, right? So what is a good analogy for an excuse where 'a bird' is concerned? Oh! I know! The Cyndi Lauper song 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun'.

Works for me.

FINAL thoughts...

This is one of those titles that I really look forward to reading each and every month. Granted, like in this issue, sometimes it is just a throw away tale that is leading to something else. Nevertheless, 'throw away' where 'The Outsiders' are concerned, is still better than a lot of comic books out there.

MARKS out of 10? 9