The most recent incarnation of Outsiders has traveled to a Kaiju graveyard at the bottom of the sea, a host of Batmen from infinite Earths, and an interdimensional spaceship. Their next assignment: surviving an invitation to an exclusive club called IV. IV plays host to some of the most horrific monsters that live within the DC Universe…including the vampiress Nocturna, who hypnotized and manipulated Kate Kane.
In fact, the theme of the issue seems to be how the Outsiders struggle with their own inner demons – as well as actual demons. Kate must deal with her history with Nocturna, especially when the vampiress drops a bombshell on her. Luke Fox is struggling with the weight of the Outsiders’ missions, which leads him to take a drastic risk. The Drummer shows just how far she’s willing to go in order to get information, though what that information is remains a secret. Writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly put the trio through hell (literally), and the fact that they walk out stronger for it is a testament to their convictions.
Robert Carey and Valentina Taddeo continue to step up their artwork with every issue; Carey really seems to have a blast drawing the various creatures that inhabit IV. There are some familiar faces, most notably the Upside-Down Man from Justice League Dark and Clayface (who Kelly and Lanzing wrote before in Clayface: One Bad Day) to beasts who defy description. Even Nocturna looks monstrous; if it weren’t for her pale white skin and blood red eyes one might mistake her for human.
Taddeo’s color work is what really sets the mood for this issue of Outsiders. The blood red hues set against a cold blue background throw the various horrors of IV into sheer focus, especially in a page where Luke stumbles through its halls. In fact, he’s the one speck of light in the place due to his bright white suit. That darkness continues into Tom Napolitano’s lettering – quite literally in Nocterna’s case because her word balloons are purely black.
Outsiders #5 takes a walk on the darker side of the DC Universe, testing its heroes yet again in the process. This series continues to impress with every issue, and we haven’t even hit the halfway point yet. That’s how good it is.
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