RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #9

[ RED HOOD COUPONS ] 

It's the owl verses the freeze. That battle certainly won't be an easy breeze. Jay lends a hand. Kory joins the band. And Roy takes a big whiff from some cheese. Though he could also take a sniff at Writer: Scott Lobdell; Artist: Kenneth Rocafort; and Publisher: DC Comics in April 2012. I personally prefer the cheese myself.

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

This fringe segment of the 'Night of the Owls' cross-over event, entitled 'Who are you? Hoo? Hoo?' reminds me why I should never be too nostalgic about porn. Each tit has a mind of its own.

• You see, all Jay, Kory, and Roy, thought that they had to do, was to protect lovelorn bad-guy, Mister Freeze, from his one time secretive employers, 'The Court of Owls'.
• But no. Mr Freeze does not want any help. This smug git thinks that he can stop the Talon who is trying to kill him all by himself.
• However, 'The Outlaws' think otherwise. And so together, yet apart, they divide and conquer this dastardly duo with a dash of old school 'Haly history' thrown in for good measure. Yatzi!

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

When the Talon said to Freeze about Jay 'He must be an ally of the Batman' I thought it very in character for the Red Hood to then respond...

'I should blow your head off for saying that out loud, Talon. But to answer both your questions, I'm just a concerned citizen. Now you two are going to break this up, or else I am going to do it for you'.

Don't you agree?

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

There was a lot to like about this tale all in all. For example: (1) The tail-end of this tale with was nicely inserted due to the Batgirl inclusion and the whole reluctant 'say hi to the family from me' vibe about it. (2) It was a very nice touch how thought Mister Freeze's cryogenic origin was linked to 'The Court'. And (3) Another nice touch was how the 'Haly association' was conveyed to Jay, and I hope that this point has relevance in the future of this saga.

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

I would have liked for the Jay / Talon battle to have been much more arduous in execution. You see, if this fight has been more relentless and brutal in flavour, the twist at the end of it would have come across more like 'I can't win this brawl' instead of 'hurry up and finish this story please'.

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: This story had that extra sardonic edge to it, as if it did not want to be apart of this 'cross-over event'. Well, the victim did not want to be saved. The villain did not want to live. And the heroes did not know what the hell they wanted.

It's as though this story was concocted in spite of itself. Very original an idea, huh?

ART: I really did like how the opening sequence looked in this issue. It was expansive and vast, whilst at the same time having a desolate and intriguing tone to it too. However, one of the little artistic touches that I was not too keen on, was that scratch effect of Mister Freeze's lips. What was that all about?

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

MR FREEZE: No. Arnold Schwarzenegger would not be my choice for this role at all. Rather, I feel that someone like Pete O'Toole would do this frigid villain justice. Just a younger version of course.

TALON: Jackie Chan's pal, Yuen Biao, could play this aerobatic assassin in his sleep. Well, he did double for Bruce Lee in the film 'Game of Death', plus doubled for Jackie on numerous others movie projects also.

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

Get Ready For A Wild Rollercoaster Ride That Old Troubled Souls Wants To Be Involved With. Welcome To Politics.

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

OK, so in essence this story had a very jaded rhythm to it, as if it was carried over the threshold through sheer force of will. Therefore, why not 'End Of The Line' by the Traveling Wilburys? Bless em.

FINAL thoughts...

For a book that felt like it did not want to be apart of this event, it sure did do a good job of telling an angst ridden adventure full of its usual sarcastic and jovial wit. I hope that other comic book creative teams will take note of this issue, because it illustrates very well how you can manipulate 'editorial edict' in your favor.

Good on you Scott and Keith. Your both stars.

MARKS out of 10? 8.5