Outsiders #11
DC Comics
Writer: Judd Winick
Pencils: Will Conrad
Inks: Sean Parsons
Price: $2.50
Rating: 3 stars
After reading issue 11 of the Outsiders series, I felt two things. I was impressed with the depth of the tale Judd Winick wrote, and subsequent interactions. Roy?s haunted mind after being shot point blank five times is well played, and shows a realistic point of view. Unfortunately, this issue also helps reinforce the opinion that the book needs to be a mature readers? title. From Roy?s raw emotions, to his acts of pleasure, Outsiders #11 is from cover to cover, and adult driven book.
Winick has the persona of Roy Harper as close to as I have envisioned of any writer since the team?s inception. Rather then just glossing the surface with ribald humor and a keen glimpse into juvenile actions, Winick takes Roy, gets him shot up, and makes him pick up the pieces in a way that is revealing, and hard to watch at times. Roy?s obvious love for Lian, and his complete indifference towards teammate Grace manifest in glaringly different but effective ways. Such a stretch of characterization has not been done since Dick Grayson left Gotham City for Bludhaven.
The art done by guest artist Will Conrad was an admirable fill in. I was really impressed by his pacing and sheer shows of emotion. As Roy deals with one dilemma after another, no words are needed to show the raw need in his expressions. Conrad?s work didn?t flinch from the awkwardness of the situations Roy endured, and his portrayal of Lian was as good of one as I have seen. I would like to see Conrad and inker Sean Parsons on a regular title sometime in the future.
From issue one, Outsiders has fulfilled its title name, with more bloodshed and character complexity then the characters have been portrayed in former titles. The focus is on characterization, and how each team member emerges from a battle is anyone?s guess. Winick has not spared the pain or the humiliation, making for extremely compelling reading.
Fans of the old Titans series should prepare themselves. This isn?t our old series, brought to glory by Wolfman and Perez, though it does have the same level of angst that made us love the team so much back then. From Roy?s doubts to the indecision and bravado of the newer team members, Outsiders is a series to be reckoned with.
