Last issue, The Outsiders finally learn the truth about Jakita Wagner and her whereabouts since Planetary. Unfortunately, the revelation causes Kate to leave the team behind. Now in Outsiders #8, Batwoman will learn there may be no other place to go. Let’s take a look!
Solo Travel Batting
In the wake of her adventure in the Bleed and “Drummer’s” subsequent reveal, Kate returns to square one. This apparently includes returning to her busted Gotham apartment building with broken windows, no furnishing, and food on the floor. In comparison to her living quarters in the Batwoman solo series and the blank check Fox gave her, this feels like a massive fall from grace. Fortunately, Jenny Crisis contacts Kate out of the blue with a brand new opportunity. Ever since her liberation in issue 4, Jenny has begun using her powers in a brand new way. More specifically, she has found a way to sense other century babies and needs Kate to save them. In any case, Kate is more than likely suffering from depression and has nothing better to do.
Nevertheless, this issue introduces the current plight of one time Young Justice member, Jinny Hex. As a reminder, Jinny is the distant relative of DC’s supernatural gunslinger Jonah Hex. As a Bendis legacy character, Jinny inherits a box of fantastical artifacts that she uses to become a “superhero.” Although we haven’t seen much from this character at all, Outsiders revisits her with a brand new artifact absorbing all of her attention. In particular, this issue surrounds a cursed firearm mysteriously conjuring hordes of ghosts. As far as I understand, whomever possesses the gun must fend off the ghosts or become one of them. To be honest, the conditions of the curse heavily reminds me of It Follows (2014) or Kentaro Miura’s Berserk!
867-5309
By the time Kate arrives in Zero, the horde has stalked Jinny all the way across Texas. Curiously, the ghost of Jonah Hex himself appears among the souls drawn to the weapon. This leads to some neat exposition in the style of the stained paper notes seen throughout the series. Yet, these pages feature sketch only panels and novel-like prose meant to resemble typewritten copy. Additionally, while I still think the gestures are stiff, the effects and look of this issue are creative! Each apparition glows ethereal baby blue, and looks even better when temporarily destroyed. Similarly, Jenny Hex’s wild explosive displays light up the page in volcanic red hues as well. Lastly, the unique framing, color, and lettering of several of its panels are cinematic and exciting.
For the most part, the primary goal of this issue is to recommit Kate to the title. While Kate dislikes how Drummer’s team operates, she understands that the larger questions in the world still need answers. To that end, Batwoman truly dedicates herself to the mission, despite Hex’s circumstances warranting any strong convincing. Whether Jinny or Jenny Crisis formally join the team as well is unclear, but would be welcome. Anyway, this was the first issue without Drummer present and finally felt relatively like a Outsiders title. In spite of this, Lanzing and Kelly use this issue to introduce more loose ends and two brand new mysteries to follow up on in upcoming chapters.
Recommended If…
You’re curious about where Kate went after the previous issue.
You’re a fan of Jinny Hex.
Held captive by a subscription to every issue of Outsiders.
Overall
Outsiders is beginning the long road to a confrontation with a mysterious antagonist. In a way, this evil silhouette and subsequent McGuffins are excuses to give the Outsiders something to resist. Luckily, this issue remains a somewhat self-contained adventure between an unlikely duo of characters. It’s fun, mysterious, and often times creative, and that is more than enough to earn a decent recommendation these days. It would be unfair to mourn what this book should be, and just settle for the monster-of-the-week sci-fi tale it offers. Which is to say, characters show up with unresolved baggage, and then they disappear just the same. Overall, if you don’t mind quirky guest cameos and hanging plot threads, then you’d get a kick out of this week’s Outsiders.
Score: 6/10
DISCLAIMER: DC Comics provided Batman News with a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review.
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