Review: Red Hood and the Outlaws #23

DC Comics
Review: Red Hood and the Outlaws #23
By Philip Schweier
June 13, 2018 - 04:35

DC Comics
Writer(s): Scott Lobdell
Penciller(s): Trevor Hairsine
Inker(s): Ryan Wynn
Colourist(s): Rain Beredo
Letterer(s): Taylor Esposito
Cover Artist(s): Trevor Hairsine, Antonio Fabela; Guillem March

Red Hood, yes, but Outlaws, not so much. And that’s bound to happen from time to time, as a story focuses on a specific character rather than the team as a whole. I’m okay with that, and you should be, too.

In this issue, we’re provided some background on Jason Todd’s childhood, pre-Batman. Jason reviews a handful of letters from his dad, written to him from prison. Jason’s father was originally a drug dealer, his mother a customer. When Jason was born he had medical needs, steering Dad into a life of crime as a super-villain henchman.

As the letters conclude, Jason realizes his father may have had one last gamble in play, and pursues the obvious lead to determine how it panned out (if it panned out). This brings him into contact with the Penguin, who has a much more personal connection to Jason’s father. In the end, a seed is sown, one I hope will entirely grow in the manner I expect. I’d prefer to see the story take a more original trajectory.

It’s only the beginning of the story, so there’s no way to guess how much Artemis and Bizarro will play into matters with Jason. As co-stars, it’s safe to say they will. As Jason’s investigation becomes more troublesome, he’ll need their help. But if this is perhaps a prelude to the series being retitled as a solo book, well, I’m okay with that, too.

Rating: 7/10