Red Hood and the Outlaws #5 Review

Daddy Issues

Written by: Scott Lobdell
Art by: Dexter Soy, Veronica Gandini and Taylor Esposito
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: December 14, 2016

The Dark Trinity is such a cool concept and thankfully, Scott Lobdell has taken it and turned it into
solid gold.  The best part?  We're only just getting started.  While I was hoping that the team would have already been formed and kicking ass by the 5th issue, I actually am glad my hopes and dreams didn't come true.  Why?  Because the character work that Lobdell has concentrated on since this series started has already paid off in fully fleshed out characters I care about.  It doesn't take much for me to care about Jason, but the fact that I like Artemis more than I ever have speaks volumes of what Lobdell has done in this series.  Sure, the whole Black Mask story is getting long in the tooth already, but I'm still intrigued to see what happens next.  So, what happens next?  Let's find out...


The issue opens with what you would have expected after last month's cliffhanger...a giant fight.  It's pretty cool and Jason Todd's narration continues showing that under that Red Hood, he is a pretty nice guy.  After a little Bizarro mishap (face plant!), the real big bad of the story makes his entrance...Black Mask!

As Roman talks about all the good he can do the city, Jason has him in his sights and I wanted him to pull the trigger so damn bad!  Unfortunately, Jason daydreams a bit about Batman's code and Bizarro wakes up from his nap.

Artemis is next to join the party and she confirms once again how much I love her.  Going into this series, I thought that Bizarro was going to be the main attraction (after Jason, that is), but I have fallen in love with Artemis and her interactions with jason are solid gold!

The fight continues and as Artemis and Bizarro square off, Jason notices a little side effect of Black Mask controlling Bizarro's mind.  He leaves Artemis and Bizarro to work out their problems to head back to his base...and a confrontation with Black Mask.  Again, I wanted Jason to just shoot him in his gimp mask, but Roman pulls the psych card and tries playing off of Jason's problems with Batman.  The issue ends with Bizarro trying to break free of Black Mask's control as we see what's underneath the Black Mask itself.  I was expecting to to be far worse, but it does look cool.

This issue is pretty much a long fight scene, but I found myself having a lot of fun.  Sure, I still just want the Dark Trinity to get up and running, but I've suddenly decided to let it all take it's time.  I know this goes against what I said last month, but the character work is great here and I'm glad we get to see some more Artemis/Bizarro interaction.  As for Black Mask...I want him dead, but isn't that a sign of a good villain?

I love Dexter Soy's art as usual.  I mean, I LOVE it.  I may just ask it to marry me and put a ring on it. It can be my trophy wife because it's so damn beautiful!

Bits and Pieces:

While this issue boils down to one big fight scene, I had a ton of fun and the art was fantastic.  Scott Lobdell and Dexter Soy continue hitting a homerun here and I am so glad that I am along for the ride!

8.0/10