Outsiders #1

But Why Tho?

Outsiders #1 is a brand-new frontier. It’s an alternative approach to what superheroes can and want to do, putting their skills towards the search for knowledge instead of vengeance and justice. It carries a similar concept to The Ultimates by Marrvel, where there was a team set up to face multiversal threats. But that book was not as mysterious as this one. This comic only implies true power, focusing on the adventure. The cast is tiny but filled with personality. This first chapter was only a teaser, but it will leave readers longing for more.

COMICON

It’s time to explore whole new spaces of the DC Universe as ‘Outsiders’ #1 opens the door to a different type of story for the Bat-related titles. A very solid first story for this limited series, hitting the right balance between welcoming and rough.

Nerd Initiative

KNOW THE UNKNOWN! With sharp writing and exceptional art, the current incarnation of Outsiders make a hug splash in their latest run. Let by an ambitions take courtesy of the Hivemind, Carey and their team, Luke Fox and company look to shatter all you’ve known about this group and carve their own space into the legacy of DC Comics.

The Super Powered Fancast

The Story: Lanzing and Kelly always deliver new and interesting stories across comics and this one is no different. The team is dynamic and unique and both the characters and their mission are compelling. I really liked the dialogue and how Kate Kane is utilized in the story. There’s some great action in the story as well and the whole issue makes me interested in seeing more of this team. The Art: Carey delivers some beautifully detailed and dynamic art throughout the issue. I love the visual style and how beautiful the environments in this issue look.

Graphic Policy

Outsiders #1 is a fun start that delivers a dose of sci-fi superhero action. It teases a lot to come that may be a huge addition or shakeup to the DC Universe, but we’ll see how it all plays out. Until then, it’s a debut comic that’s a lot of fun and delivers a beginning that feels grand in its scope and ideas.

Geek Dad

This series has a hard sci-fi bent, and it’s very obvious where it’s taking its inspiration from. While it might be named after a major DC franchise, it takes a lot of cues from the Wildstorm universe—especially once we recognize exactly where that ship comes from and what it used to be. The visuals in this first issue are excellent, courtesy of artist Robert Carey, and the scale and tone of the issue can be a bit overwhelming at times. It moves fast, almost too fast, with some major developments happening off-screen. The last page makes clear that this is pretty much a direct sequel to one of the best Wildstorm books of all time—a major challenge to meet. Still, despite the huge focus, it has a great take on its two main leads and the scenes between Luke and his silent partner Lucius are really well-done. Lanzing and Kelly are an incredibly talented writing team, and this is a very promising if slightly bumpy launch.

Multiversity Comics

Getting a DC Comic book focused on Batman-adjacent cast members to carry the torch of “Planetary” was not on my bucket list. It is also nearly impossible to say that “Outsiders” can live up to “Planetary” from just one issue. However, the character interactions and science-fiction backdrop of this series is intoxicating. I’m in awe of how much restraint writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly wrote into this narrative. Robert Carey’s line is expressive and detailed, making sure to emphasize the strange situations this team finds themselves in throughout “Outsiders.” The odd pieces of dialogue from The Drummer helped “Outsiders” #1 exceed my high expectations.

The Comicbook Dispatch

Outsiders #1 is a completely different take on The Outsiders team, taking a more “X-Files” style approach and promising to show us corners of the Earth-Prime we’ve never seen. Batwoman and Luke Fox work well together and tantalizing hints set up some fascinating things to come.

AIPT

Outsiders #1 once again reinvents the dark horse DC team, bringing in elements of hard sci-fi along with some gorgeous artwork. If you’re looking for something different from the Batman line, or your superhero comics, you wouldn’t go wrong with this book. The ending, especially, hints at greater things to come.

The Batman Universe

I look forward to continuing to read this series. It appears that DC is willing to maybe look into other types of stories and characters and that can only be a good thing for the publisher in the future. It is good for a large publisher to diversify its offerings.

Get Your Comic On

Overall a great start for Outsiders. Kelly and Lanzing are doing great work in the DCU and it’s cool to see them continue that with this kind of project. I’m excited for more.

Graham Crackers Comics

Annoying! That’s what this new DC title is … annoying. You know why? Because in 1999, on the very edge of the new century, Warren Ellis and John Cassaday debuted a new Wildstorm title called Planetary and I was immediately hooked. The stories were steeped in pulp action and mysterious histories that was totally in my ballpark. Then DC bought Wildstorm and Planetary faded away. Now they are back and Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly story is a wonderful mix of old and new. The return of the Planetary Guide (I always wanted one of these!), a new Drummer and Fourth Man, and an interdimensional craft that is stumbled upon are all the building blocks of new mysteries. And Robert Carey’s art does remind me of some of the original art. So why is it annoying? Because it’s the flipping Bat-family again! DC seems to be unwilling to try any new Dawn of DC title unless it includes their cash cow or in this case bat. And even though Luke Fox tells Batwoman that his group will not have any use for costumes or super-teams, and no super-villains in cages, there she is throughout the issue in her black and red spandex. Even after they get her a winter change of clothes, she’s still sporting the Batarangs. Everytime I’m promised something new, it still has it’s roots in the Big 3.

Major Spoilers

There are oodles of Wildstorm Easter eggs in the pages of Outsiders #1, including at least two corpses that were once old friends, an ominous Planetary guide, the Carrier’s point-of-view on its time as the home of the Authority, with art that bridges the gap between Gotham City and Elijah Snow. I don’t know if I love it yet, but I did adore Planetary, and want to see how this plays out.

ComicBook.com

Since the team's creation in the 1980s, The Outsiders have been a home for the overlooked and underestimated personalities at DC Comics. With this week's Outsiders #1, that mentality is taken into a new dichotomy, blending the grounded with the outrageous to a sufficiently successful capacity. While some stylistic choices and a lack of clarity get in the way of the comic's perfection, the promise of Kate Kane and Luke Fox's grand adventure is just enough to make this series promising.

Dark Knight News

Outsiders #1 was an interesting first issue that planted many seeds for stories to be told. If they just keep the Bat-bashing in check, this series could be great!

Henchman-4-Hire

Good, solid start with a lot of potential, I just think there are a lot of little things holding this first issue and this new series back at this point.

Comic Book Revolution

The Outsiders #1 does exactly what it needed to do to sell its Multiverse concept led by Batwoman and Batwing. Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly showed a good basic understanding of the characters and concept. They do have to shake their Marvel training and remember they are now working in the DC Universe. Hopefully with more experience writing in the DCU and keeping up the one-shot style story format Outsiders can become a strong addition to the Batman franchise offerings.

Weird Science Marvel Comics

Outsiders #1 has a strong central concept - forming a group to investigate the weirder happenings of the DC Universe - with interesting characters and solid art. That said, Lanzing and Kelly try to get too fancy and too big in this first issue, leaving readers with a less satisfying adventure and a pompous aftertaste.

Batman-News

Overall, this is an extremely messy first issue. The series hook is weak, the dialogue is cliché, and the artwork is isn’t all too good. However, some of the designs like Batwoman’s snowsuit or Batwing’s nano suit are appealing. Unfortunately, this book is generally ugly and hard to read. Personally, the Outsiders have always been hard to find a way to fit in. With a more coherent direction, this overlooked team and underrepresented characters may have had a chance. Ultimately, the potential is still there, but depends on far clearing writing and artwork.