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 - Heroes on the outsideOn an individual level, DC does quite well with its superheroes: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, etc. Team-wise, however, they've never quite prospered as well as they could. While Marvel has long-lasting teams like the Fantastic Four, Avengers and X-Men, DC has gone through many incarnations of its one really big team, the Justice League. Other teams, from the Teen Titans through the Metal Men, prosper for a while and then fade away. Such is the case for the Outsiders, or as they were originally titled, Batman and the Outsiders. The Outsiders formed when Batman, in a fit of pique over the Justice League's lack of intervention in a civil war, decided to go it alone to rescue a friend. This civil war, in the land of Markovia, would attract other heroes as well. These other superheroes were much rawer in their talent and Batman decided to lead them and train them. The Outsiders consisted initially of Batman and five other heroes, some of whom were new to the DC Universe. Metamorpho could change his form and his chemical composition but was bothered by his freakish appearance. Black Lightning had electrical powers but was bothered by the death of an innocent bystander in one of his fights. Katana had no special powers but had a magical sword and great fighting skills. Geo-Force was a prince of Markovia, given powers to help his country during the war. Halo was an amnesic teenager who had light-based powers, with each color representing a different power (sadly, Halo's powers show the shortcoming of the black-and-white Showcase format). This is typical early-`80s DC material, decent if not really spectacular. Most of the stories are one or two issues long, often pitting the Outsiders against supervillain teams like the Fearsome Five, the Masters of Disaster and the Force of July. It's all okay, but outside Batman, neither the good guys nor the bad guys are particularly memorable. But if you enjoy superhero comics, this is a slightly above average collection. Rating:  - A fun series, & a lot for your money!The original Outsiders series contains very attractive art, interesting characters who have developed relationships with each other, & good plot devices to keep them challenged. It is also shows us how Batman organizes a superhero team, something of intrest to any comics fan. The 1st team-- Batman Geo-Force Black Lightning Katana Halo Metamorpho the Element Man (Later, Looker & Windfall will join the team, not in this volume) The "Showcase Presents" series reprints original comic books in a black & white format, at low cost. Big chunks of a comics run can be published cheaply this way, & fans can read classic material otherwise difficult to obtain. I hope to see a volume 2, as it would introduce my favorite Outsider---Looker. Rating: - JIM APARO GREATNESS !!!!Jim Aparo is an amazing artist and this collection of his BATO work is no exception. Magnificent detail and gracefull figures. Jim was the ultimate Batman arist for me. Rating: - Batman/OutisidersBatman growing tired of the "politics" of the 1970's Superhero scene quits the Justice League of America and finding like minded quirky heroic individuals he forms a new team of misfits dedicated to helping the common man in protection from criminals of all types. A diverse group mixing classic 1960/1970's heroes and newly created individuals growing together as a team as they learn about life and themselves. Very underated but fondly remembered incarnation of Batman utilzing superbly wonderful Jim Aparo illustrative work. Quintessential 70's and some of the best in remembrance of a time when comics were fun and adult at the same time without losing sight that comics are meant to entertain ALL ages! page 1 of 1
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