Batman and the Outsiders #4 Review

Written By: Bryan Hill
Art By: Dexter Soy, Veronica Gandini, Clayton Cowles
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 14, 2019

I have enjoyed the Batman and the Outsiders booke so far, but it's time it starts getting going at a faster pace, in my opinion.  I mean, Sofia was captured and taken away by Ra's and Batman decided to do a little team building below Gotham rather than go get her?  He talked a good game about not letting her down, but...  So, this issue I am ready for Batman to get the Outsiders and head off to knock some heads in!  Do we get that?  Let's find out...



The issue starts off with Ra's talking his smack like he always does and while I didn't think that Sofia was smelling what he was cooking, by the end of the scene it certainly seems like she is smelling, eating and then cleaning up!  Dexter Soy's art kicks ass right away and it looks like Ra's might have a replacement for Talia.

Back in Gotham, we get Cass and Duke hanging and while I like seeing these two as much as I can, it reverts back to Duke whining a bit and I thought we got past that last issue.  It's very quick as we go and see what Black Lightning and Kaliber are up too.  Again, it is dialogue that feels overdone, even at this early stage of the book.  Black Lightning doesn't trust Kaliber, Kaliber talks shit in a cryptic way...rinse repeat.  This is followed by Katana dreaming and Jefferson bitching at Bruce and Bruce giving Jefferson his next job.  No, wait a minute!  The job is the same job...rescue Sofia!  Why the hell is everyone just hanging around still?!?!  It's just made worse as you see Sofia going deeper under Ra's spell this whole time!  The scene ends with Bruce telling Black Lightning to gather the team at the Batcave that night...what the fuck?!?!?

While Duke works out his daddy issues (some more) and the team plans out how they will get to Sofia, we see she is knee-deep in the hoopla and by that, I mean she is kicking mucho asso in Kadym.  It's all part of Ra's mind-fuck and I know we aren't supposed to like what's going on, but I'd rather hang here more since this is where the (only) action is.  We finish with some friends talk with Katana and Black Lightning and a threatening cliffhanger that shows that maybe the Outsiders have twiddled their thumbs a little too long here.

My patience with this book is wearing real thin.  I understand what Hill is trying to do with the team and maybe it will pay off in the long run, but the standing around talking has to end...or at least have them talk about something different.  Instead of fleshing out these characters, it is actually making them all one dimensional.  They each have their issues that are already repeated way too much and it's only made worse because they have one job to do in this series so far and four issues in, they haven't even started!  I love Dexter Soy's art, but this book is stalled out at the Starting Line and if that doesn't change quickly, I'm going to have to bail. 

Bits and Pieces:

Another issue of Batman and the Outsiders standing around while Sofia (you know, the girl they need to save) suffers.  I love Dexter Soy's art, but this book needs some forward momentum real soon. 

6.0/10