Outsiders, Vol. 7: Five of a Kind

Outsiders (2003)

by Tony Bedard, Freddie E. Williams II

Nightwing hands over the task of leading the Outsiders, a band of rogue superheroes, to Batman, but before they are reunited as a team the Outsiders must individually prove themselves to their new leader.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Batman, Superheroes, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics

160 pages, Paperback

First published March 5, 2008

About the author

Antony J. L. Bedard is an American writer and editor who has worked in the comic book industry from the early 1990s through the present. He is best known for his work at CrossGen Comics, where he was under exclusive contract, and for his run writing Marvel Comics X-Men spin-off Exiles.

Reviews

[John Yelverton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Batman decides to pick new team members, and they're amazingly just like his original team. Just an excuse to put a new book out.

[Ben Truong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five of a Kind is a monthly miniseries published in 2007, which are composed of five one-shots each by different creative teams. Outsiders: Five of a Kind collects all five-issues of the 2007 miniseries with Outsiders #50.

This trade paperback is a transition between the Outsiders as they were, and their reintegration into the original concept of their acting under Batman’s direction. Dick Grayson as Nightwing ceded leadership of the team to Batman, and it is his vision that in a time of increasing public scrutiny of established superhero teams, the Outsiders ought to live up to their name and act independently where needed.

What follows is a series of individual missions by assorted creators spotlighting that Batman's considering for membership of his new team. He pairs up: Nightwing/Capitan Boomerang, Katna/Shazam, Thunder/Martian Manhunter, Metamorpho/Aquaman, and Wonder Woman/Grace and sends them on different missions and Batman would evaluate them, which cumulates into the last issue of the series – Outsides #50, which Catwoman joins the team for the mission.

With the exception of one issue (Outsiders: Five of a Kind: Wonder Woman/Grace), which was written by Marc Andreyko, Tony Bedard penned the entire trade paperback with the help of Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir (Outsiders: Five of a Kind: Nightwing/Boomerang), Mike W. Barr (Outsiders: Five of a Kind: Katana/Shazam!), and G. Willow Wilson (Outsiders: Five of a Kind: Metamorpho/Aquaman). For the most part, it was penned moderately well.

As expected from an anthology-like structure, the quality is variable. The set-up, though, is novel, explaining why arch-loner Batman requires a team. There are simply too many matters he wants to investigate and even Batman can only fit twenty-four hours into a day. Each chapter concludes with Tony Bedard writing Batman's assessment of how the tryout has worked, although the title gives away how many make the cut.

Freddie E. Williams II (Outsiders: Five of a Kind: Nightwing/Boomerang), Kevin Sharpe (Outsiders: Five of a Kind: Katana/Shazam!), Koi Turnball (Outsiders: Five of a Kind: Thunder/Martian Manhunter), Joshua Middleton (Outsiders: Five of a Kind: Metamorpho/Aquaman), Cliff Richards (Outsiders: Five of a Kind: Wonder Woman/Grace), Matthew Clark and Ron Randall (Outsiders #50). For the most part the pencilers have distinct penciling styles, which made the artistic flow somewhat rough it is mitigated somewhat as each penciler does one issue.

Overall, this Outsiders series was written and constructed moderately well. It was a controversial sort of series where it was purposely designed to be more of a professional team than a family and then partway became a team where the ends justified the means, whose actions were rather dubious. As a Robin fan, Nightwing seemed a tad out of character throughout the series and it never really sit with me right. However, Judd Winick did an admirable job conceiving an overarching series despite the many tie-in and team-ups that Winick was forced to write around.

All in all, Outsiders: Five of a Kind is a mediocre conclusion to an equally mediocre series.

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

A handful of writers wrap up The Outsiders series with the goal of starting a new series. DC's editorial genius on full display. The idea of Batman building his own team is fine but the hows, whys, and results are all subpar. Without spoiling much, the team doesn't change that much and the reasons are goofy. There are multiple artists as well and its a mixed bag. Overall, this was a mostly solid series and deserved a much better conclusion.

[Brad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Batman and DC editors blow up the Outsiders and start over with the pieces. Each issue in this book focuses on two characters auditioning for Batman's new, exclusive Outsiders.
Some of the characters obviously won't join Batman's team of "renegade" heroes; Shazam and Wonder Woman have better things to do take Batman' orders. All five of the two character team-up issues are dull, and end with Batman usually berating the characters. (Wonder Woman and Grace, recently revealed to be an Amazon, do have a few nice moments.) Things don't really start moving until last issue, which is a prequel to the new Batman and the Outsiders book.
I'm happy that at least Judd Winick version of the team got to go out with a bang in the previous Outsiders' collection.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lead-in to the new Batman and the Outsiders series this trade sets up Batman's new team. It really cements Batman's rep as the emotionally constipated master manipulator.

[Warren]

amazons attack aftermath

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the tales by Marc Andreyko and G. Wilow Wilson best.

[H. Givens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I get tired of origin stories; the book was best once the team was formed and active.