Red Hood and the Outlaws #5

I've been a large proponent of this book since the first issue where half the comic world went crazy because she slept with Roy on a whim. It's been a great action book with fantastic art and a compelling story. I find all three characters very likable, and there have been some great moments that have surprised us all. Sadly, issue #5 doesn't quite live up to the quality of the first four issues, and leaves the reader with a somewhat anticlimactic conclusion to the fight scenes introduced in issue #4.

Issue #4 set up this great dichotomy between Jason's fight against the "Untitled" and Starfire's battle against the vengeful monster "Crux." Crux had depowered Starfire, and Jason was in a fight against a seemingly immortal creature where he dual-wielded swords. That was cool, which is an adjective underused when thinking about Jason as the "Red Hood," frankly, he's just cool.

Red Hood and the Outlaws #4

Despite early criticism, I stuck with this title because of the same promise I saw when this book was announced last summer. And boy is it paying off now. This issue and the last are some of the most entertaining pages in the last few months of the DCnU. While some are letting anger over revised histories cloud their ability to read the book, what see is a book full of action with new and unique character dynamics and the freshest title I'm reading in the New 52.

This issue picks up in a bar in Colorado, Roy Harper lamenting how Jason dragged his alcoholic self inside. Of course, Jason proceeds to kick someone's ass indiscriminately and blow their cover. Because of course Jason is, if nothing, discrete.  Of course the arresting officer turns out to be the baddie from the "Untitled."

Red Hood and The Outlaws #3

The first two issues of "Red Hood" were good, not great, essentially good enough to keep reading. Issue number thee however, was awesome. In an upset, this comic was better than both Batman and Nightwing, exploring the inner-selves of Roy, Jason, and Kori, while also telling a great adventure for the trio to retrieve ...a snowglobe?

In order for them to retrieve this artifact (calling it a snowglobe makes the story sound silly, it's not, it's a cool quest). They have to each give up their most cherished memory as collateral to "Saru the Proctor" in exchange for their journey to find the artifact. Saru takes a peak at Roy's and Kori's cherished memories, knocking Kori for her overly-violent memory being her most-cherished, and Roy for having too much sympathy.

Red Hood and the Outlaws #2

Wow. I never thought that Red Hood and the Outlaws #1 would gather so much hate. It wasn't the best comic in the world by any means, but the outrage over this issue, mostly dealing with Starfire's characterization, was quite frankly stupid. It's one freaking issue and people are tearing into Scott Lobdell for ruining the character.

What bothers me more is that it is coming out that the entire history of every Teen Titans team, as well as Young Justice for that matter, is erased. All of it. While that may partially be Lobdell's fault, how can the editor allow this? That history is crucial for everything that has happened to the next generation of heroes after Bruce Wayne/Clark Kent/Barry Allen/Hal Jordan etc.

But enough about that mess. Red Hood and the Outlaws #2  I found to be an equally entertaining followup to issue #1, as it greatly enhances the backstory of Jason Todd. It's clear that this is purely Todd's book, and Roy and Kori are along for the ride, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Red Hood and the Outlaws #1

Most of the "New 52" #1's so far have served as solid openers for their new series. While some succeed and give hope that the upcoming storylines are going to be awesome, some haven't been as inspiring, but even those who don't make me very interested in the series at least do a good job of introducing the characters and their major plot points.

In an odd twist, this comic does the absolute opposite of that. Scott Lobdell (known for his 90's Marvel work on X-Men titles) very, very briefly introduces us to the three characters. If I didn't have some background on them, honestly I would be a little confused about these characters.

Honestly, after reading this, I'm not sure what this comic is about, why Jason has teamed up with Starfire, or why he busted Roy Harper (Arsenal) out of jail. And then in the latter plot, I can't figure out what the hell the "All Caste" is, and whether it's completely new or if I'm going to have Wikipedia it to find out.