Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Will Conrad; Sean Parsons; Pat Brosseau; & Guy Major
Cover Art by Kevin Nowlan
SUMMARY:
Published by DC Comics for September 2005, the first half of a two-part Outsiders reunion is entitled “Tick Tock, Part One.” Black Lightning recruits Metamorpho & Arsenal to investigate a resurfaced old case of Batman and his original Outsiders (Geo-Force, Halo, Black Lightning, & Metamorpho). Per a flashback, the original squad had thwarted the mysterious terrorist, Fuse, who was mind-controlling randomly-abducted victims into becoming human uranium bombs.
Of the Fuse’s few escaped minions, someone is assassinating them as innocent civilians, one by one. As Black Lightning, Arsenal, and Metamorpho check in on a comatose and incarcerated Fuse, another ex-Outsider returns.
Note: Peter J. Tomasi doesn’t provide any indication of a back issue of Batman and The Outsiders that the Fuse incident occurred. The case is simply referred to as having transpired “years ago.”
REVIEW:
In part due to some grim imagery, the art team conveys Black Lightning’s unsettling guilt revisiting this gruesome case. While the cover image is adequate, the interior artwork is much better. Instead of recreating the mid-80’s visual style from Batman and The Outsiders, the art team’s darker tone for the flashbacks makes sense. As for Peter J. Tomasi’s storytelling, it’s an inspired choice to revisit the original Outsiders. However, the morbid script may not appeal to fans of that team’s more kid-friendly heroics.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The single-page “DC in Demand” column includes thumbnail cover reveals of Outsiders # 27; JLA: Classified # 10; Catwoman # 45; and Wonder Woman # 219.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
