Based on the cover it’s not looking so peachy for this team and they only combined forces last issue! Scott Lobdell continues this story with the “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Bizarro?” story. We check it out to answer the question, is it good?
Red Hood and the Outlaws #7 (DC Comics)
So what’s it about? The summary reads:
“how do you solve a problem like Bizarro?”! Now that Black Mask is defeated, Artemis continues her quest for the Bow of Ra—a weapon of immense power. Meanwhile, Jason is dealing with an immense power of his own—Bizarro. What’s to be done about such a volatile creature…and is he too dangerous to be kept alive?
Why does this book matter?
Lobdell has been writing a very good slow burn story that’s built towards the team congealing. Artemis, Bizarro and Red Hood aren’t perfect by any means, but together they make sense. This issue takes them forward as an actual team!
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Hulk smash! I mean…
Bizarro fans should love the heck out of this issue, not only because we learn more about his creation, but Red Hood bonds with the big galoot some more. Red Hood and the Outlaws #7 opens with an action sequence pitting Bizarro and Red Hood against some goons (along with a surprise appearance) and they do a rather good job. That is, if you don’t count the fact that they almost kill someone against them. Lobdell is clearly playing with the idea of Bizarro being too dangerous for crime fighting and it’ll be interesting to see how Red Hood can curtail killing given Bizarro’s childlike demeanor.
A nice scene between Red Hood and Alfred also takes place in this issue; it’s a reminder of Red Hood’s roots, but also the respect he deserves. Lobdell reminds us he’s a natural born leader thanks to his tutelage under Batman.
Mirko Colak draws this issue (sad to see Dexter Soy go) and I think he holds up a style that’s respectable and sometimes almost similar to Soy’s. That action is intense–thanks to some choice blur effects–and the delicate nature of Bizarro is conveyed well. The final few pages lead up to what is depicted on the cover of this issue and they do a great job reminding us Bizarro may have a right to live because of Colak’s well rendered outdoor scene.
It can’t be perfect can it?
Artemis however, is drawn very differently from what she looked like in previous issues. Maybe it’s because she’s not in her war gear, but I wasn’t even sure if it was her at first.
Aside from that, the general feel of this issue seems like a filler sort of issue. A bigger plot isn’t started, but instead, it tackles the issue of Bizarro which I thought was already focused on in an earlier issue. It’s done well, but I wish there was more to the issue than this.
Can we seriously change his name to Red Him?
Is It Good?
Red Hood and the Outlaws #7 is good issue that delves into the delicate nature of letting a god-like power continue to be on your team… even when he has the intellect of a child. It’s a complex issue, but given Red Hood’s proclivity to break the rules it makes sense and also makes for fun drama.
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