Mockingbird is stuck on a nerd cruise and a murder requires her to investigate. If you’re expecting a character focused story that’s got a cracking wit and a fun premise look no further. We check out the new arc and, as always, faithfully answer the question: is it good?
Red Hood and the Outlaws #9 (DC Comics)
So what’s it about? The official summary reads:
“Who is Artemis?” part one! When Artemis discovers that the Bow of Ra has been used to destroy an entire city, Red Hood and the Outlaws race to Qurac to discover the identity of this barbaric bowman-and who they find is too shocking to believe!
Why does this book matter?
Part one of the “Ghosts of the Damned” begins this week which thrusts Red Hood into a situation that calls back some very bad memories. And by very bad, we mean the kind where Joker kills you! Meanwhile, writer Scott Lobdell has been doing a great job formulating this team so it feels organic. Artemis and her need to find the Bow of Ra is driving this story to the Middle East!
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s…Bizarro!
Lobdell is writing two major character arcs here in an effective and efficient way. Using captions, Red Hood brings us into his past and why the location they’re at to find the Bow of Ra is deeply personal. Artemis meanwhile, is fighting demons she had to commit to in order to stop the last instance the Bow of Ra appeared. You get a good sense of where these characters are coming from and the conflict they’re enduring currently. That isn’t to say Bizarro Superman is left out, as there’s an interesting wrinkle for his character that shows he’s possibly way more good at heart than we ever imagined.
Plot-wise not a ton happens, but that’s because most of the development is in the characters. That said, all three characters are in brand new places by the end of the issue and they’re certainly in deep water in a variety of ways.
Dexter Soy continues to do what what he does best: Compose strong layouts and capture realistic looking expressions. His rendition of Bizarro was striking to me this issue as he looks more heroic and, frankly, attractive compared to previous iterations of the character. He’s nuts sure, but it’s clear the creators are trying to make him more appealing visually. While Artemis may have large breasts, I never once thought the art was exploiting her sexuality, which is a plus in the comic book realm.
What did the plane ever do to you?!
It can’t be perfect can it?
A scene where Red Hood speaks to enemy guards feels a tad off. They claim they’ll torture him and Jason Todd seems to not care and goes full “crazy” on them. They get scared off, and given the wartorn location and the person they work for it seems like an easy out so as to let Jason deal with his emotional issues.
Is It Good?
Setting the stage for new conflicts for all three characters, Red Hood and the Outlaws #9 is a great chapter in this new team’s storyline. The character work is on point too, as well as the promise of new details on Jason Todd’s untimely death.
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