Flashpoint: The Outsider (1 of 3)
Writer: James Robinson
Artists: Javi Fernandez
Date: Aug ’11
My Rating: A nice counterpoint to the main Flashpoint storyline, with good artwork.
The Outsider, it turns out, has nothing to do with the Outsiders. I should have known that, and once I re-read the first issue of Flashpoint it came back – he’s the guy who says he’ll help fight both the Amazonians and the Atlanteans, as long as it doesn’t get his suit dirty. He’s in India, and has mysterious but far-reaching powers. One thing I liked about this comic was seeing that meeting from a different point of view, it was done really well – turns out the Outsider really is hunting for that Blackout guy! Be warned, there’s a spoilers below.
A side conversation, almost a throwaway moment, tells us that Bruce isn’t the only important character who didn’t make it to the Flashpoint world:
Alfred! *sheds a single solemn tear* “Hm”? That’s all he gets? The man who was closer even than Batman to being meta-human? Well. He’ll always live on in my heart! And presumably in DCnU, too.
The fight scene that follows is sort of watered down by the dialogue, which all relates to shared history between a bunch of characters I’ve never heard of. The point seems to be that the Outsider can fight like hell, and they really play up the ‘keep the suit tidy’ thing!
I do quite like the artistic style in this issue, the use of colour and space, and I’ll definitely read the following two issues to find out what happens with the Outsider and whoever’s trying to have him killed. Here’s one of the final pages, I think it works really well.
Did anyone else read this one? Let me know what you thought of it, and have a great week!
