The final issue of the first story arc is here this week and Black Mask is more powerful than ever. He’s mind controlling a new Bizarro Superman clone and has Red Hood dead to rights, but does it wrap up well?
Red Hood and the Outlaws #6 (DC Comics)
So what’s it about? The summary reads:
“Dark Trinity” conclusion! Black Mask and Red Hood go toe-to-toe beneath One Police Plaza, while above them Bizarro and Artemis clash in a battle of titanic proportion! The finale to “Dark Trinity” is here—don’t miss it!
Why does this book matter?
Scott Lobdell has been writing a fantastic first arc as it has slowly built up the team and given them reasons to join forces that pay off. Dexter Soy is offering a layout style that splashes across two pages more often than not and gives the book a unique feel which also allows the action to feel splashy in itself.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Less talking, pull the trigger dumby!
Lobdell concludes this story well on a few levels including an emotional wrap up for Red Hood. The issue is split between Black Mask attempting to end Red Hood once and for all and a very well written sequence between Red Hood and Batman. It gives the book two endings, but also a recharge for future issues as the “outlaws” portion of the title is focused on. This gives the issue a satisfactory feeling for all parties. That includes the team, who have gone through a lot already, but there’s more work to be done too.
The idea of outlaws is explored well, including a surprise point of view from Batman, and it’ll be interesting to see how Lobdell explores it further with Artemis and Bizarro. Red Hood is certainly an outlaw based on a major choice he makes and this ties well into a cliffhanger that spells a new direction for a certain character.
The action in the issue is fun, basically an extension of the last with Artemis fighting Bizarro and Black Mask scrambling to kill Red Hood. Soy draws some cool blur effects to enhance a moment, which is a reminder this is more of a cinematic experience from beginning to end. Soy toys with the double page layout less in this issue (I counted only 1), but overall the action is interesting and flows nicely. There’s also a great full page spread of the team that’ll reinforce the series need to exist.
It can’t be perfect can it?
There’s a page in this issue that cuts away to a mysterious figure and I’m at a complete loss as to who they are or why we need to see it. More will be revealed in the future I’m sure, but it was a strange cut away that confused more than added anything to the narrative.
A funny moment!
Is It Good?
Red Hood and the Outlaws #6 offers a satisfying conclusion to a fantastic first arc. Lobdell and Soy have made a case for this team and its unique place amongst the pantheon of DC series.
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