Red Hood and the Outlaws one of the early titles of DC’s New 52 that receives bad recognition. After hearing the words of a few critics about the issues, I notice what makes the Rebirth edition stand out. But first let’s get introductions out of the way. Disclaimer: The majority of this series is written and directed by Scott Lobdell, who did several cases of sexual misconduct.
Red Hood and The Outlaws Premise
Red Hood and The Outlaws’ general idea is about outcasts of DC forming a team in the gray areas of morality. Under the leadership of the second Robin turned mercenary Red Hood, they tackle some of the more bizarre parts of DC. It’s an intriguing premise about the problem children of DC. But the execution can be equally as problematic.
The New 52
Most people who bring up the initial series and how it makes Teen Titans’ alumni Starfire a two-dimensional sex friend. But that’s just the worst of it. The real issue comes from how all of the action and outfits reminds readers of 90s comics. A time so absurd, nobody could really take it seriously. The same applies in this title. Arsenal is practically a comic relief character while Red Hood fancies himself an action hero. Given writer Scott Lobdell’s bibliography in X-Men from the 90s like Age of Apocalypse and X-Cutioner’s Song; it’s easy to draw parallels between his dual run with The Outlaws and Teen Titans with X-Men and X-Force.
What really drags RHatO is plot with events like time travel and conspiracies going on in the pages. Between Lobdell and James Tynion IV there is little to no consistency. With Lobdell the Outlaws have a messy if irrelevant charm especially between Red Hood and Arsenal. Tynion meanwhile tries to bring in the parallels between Red Hood and Batman. On paper that sounds good especially with how critics like Linkara say how Jason’s best depictions are as a Batman foil. Given Tynion’s relationship with Scott Snyder this should’ve been better. And to a degree it was with Red Hood going on a personal quest after Snyder’s Batman: Death of the Family event. Unfortunately Jason’s not all that interesting on his own.
Down One Outlaw
Most of the time he tries to be more of a rebellious Batman with “daddy issues up the wazoo”. The whole plot with the League of Assassin’s looks like a petty way of trying to get a leg up on Batman. But in the end, this barely goes anywhere with all of the bizarre parts accompanying it. I mean the Outlaws go to outer space at one point for no apparent reason. Pretty soon Scott Lobdell gets back as writer bringing back some of the only good parts of the previous series; Red Hood and Arsenal’s buddy cop chemistry. Which is partly why he lets go of Starfire for a new series called Red Hood/Arsenal. Unfortunately it has the same problems when it comes to mood. They shift from being silly to just plain moody. Yet Scott Lobdell gets one more shot with DC’s Rebirth.
Red Hood and the Outlaws: Rebirth
DC’s Rebirth initiative is all about bringing back the qualities fan love about the DC universe. For Red Hood it’s as Batman’s foil to tackle the issues the Dark Knight can’t fight as easily. For Jason it’s going undercover into the dark underbelly of Gotham’s organized crime. There he uncovers Gotham crime boss Black Mask’s operations. All the while meeting two other overlooked characters. The temporary 90s Wonder Woman, Artemis, and Superman clone, Bizarro.
These characters unlike Arsenal or Starfire provide opportunities for character driven chemistry. Perhaps the true star of the series is Bizarro, a character grappling with his mortality. This gives him a sense of awareness both of how dangerous he is and how much Bizarro values what few friends he has. So much that Jason shows much more humanity around this imperfect Superman clone than before. He initially opted to mercy kill Bizarro until hearing his friend’s relatable woes. This is but the first step of Red Hood conquering his demons rather than reveling in them.
That’s not to say Artemis doesn’t bring much more. Her own past of rejection from the people she valued the most left her hollow. Finding kindred spirits in both Red Hood and Bizarro after losing so much opens her up. It’s ultimately allows Artemis to forgive herself and become a hero in her own right. Which makes things harder when everything comes to a screeching halt.
Red Hood Outlawed
Due to DC’s mismanagement of events a number of sudden changes take place. So to change gears, DC decides to have Red Hood go solo with a new design. Complete with an explosive finish to the Rebirth story of the outlaws. With Jason exiled from Gotham after shooting the Penguin in anger he is on his own. Artemis and Bizarro meanwhile are thought to be dead after a crash. However they are really just lost in DC’s dark multiverse.
Jason unable to find his friends and with Arsenal dead from the events of Heroes in Crisis, he goes back to basics. In other words an uninteresting action hero falling back onto old habits. The nonsensical plots, the throwaway shadow organizations, even Red Hood showing up Batman. But that last part is actually a decent part of Scott Lobdell making better use of Red Hood’s character. No longer is he just Batman’s failure, he’s an expert saboteur who demolishes villain’s plans from the inside out.
Unfortunately, his co-stars like Lobdell’s earlier creation Bunker really aren’t that interesting. He is very passive and only reacts to events like with the Penguin. Not to mention it goes back and forth about Jason’s past. Some things just feel so nonsensical it’s only around for decoration. Even when the outlaws return they lack their original chemistry thanks to the status quo. Now it feels like the loud and absurd 90s are back.
Red Hood and the Outlaws Need A New Direction
Red Hood and the Outlaws is a very divisive title to say the least. Beginning as a means of bringing back past glory, the narratives lose balance quickly. However thanks to a good work environment and listening to fans, there is a chance for comics to reinvent themselves. But a messy work environment can take that away. Finding what works and what doesn’t should be the goal, not a means to an end. Hopefully DC can change Red Hood for the better again by including more characters for steady chemistry. As for Scott Lobdell, he should consider changing publishers… and a whole lot more.
Thanks for coming and as always remember to look between the panels.