Jason Todd, a failed Robin brought back from the dead. Roy Harper, an expert marksman fallen from grace. Princess Koriand'r of Tamaran, an amnesiac alien powerhouse. Separately, these three wayward young heroes may be lost and abandoned, but together they can become something greater than the sum of their broken parts--and maybe the heroes the world needs.
As the Red Hood, Arsenal and Starfire, this makeshift team known as the Outlaws will take on the DC Universe's strangest threats, from the mystical menace of the Untitled to a raging interstellar war to the machinations of Ra's al Ghul. But when The Joker launches his master plan against Batman's friends and family, Red Hood will find himself summoned back to the painful past in Gotham he left behind...and what they find there will change the Outlaws forever!
Red Hood and the The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 1 collects the first adventures of the hard-luck super-team by writers Scott Lobdell and James Tynion IV and artists Kenneth Rocafort, Julius Gopez and Timothy Green II. The omnibus includes Red Hood and The Outlaws #0-27, Teen Titans #16, Batman #17 and R ed Hood and the Outlaws Annual #1, including the blockbuster "Death of the Family" crossover.
Scott Lobdell (born 1960) is an American comic book writer.
He is mostly known for his work throughout the 1990s on Marvel Comics' X-Men-related titles specifically Uncanny X-Men, the main title itself, and the spin-off series that he conceived with artist Chris Bachalo, Generation X. Generation X focused on a number of young mutant students who attempted to become superheroes in their own right at a separate school with the guidance of veteran X-related characters Banshee and Emma Frost. He also had writing stints on Marvel's Fantastic Four, Alpha Flight, and The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix mini-series with artist Gene Ha. He wrote the script to Stan Lee's Mosaic and an upcoming film from POW Entertainment featuring Ringo Starr. He also participated in the Marvel Comics and Image Comics (from Jim Lee's WildStorm) crossover mini-series WildC.A.T.s/X-Men.
Not the real start date, just approximate since I only remember starting on summer. So, this is the level of writing we have for Jason? Jason fans really are hated by DC. Not the worst comic I've read at least, but it's somewhere on the bottom, even if I didn't actively dislike it, I just wouldn't recommend it.
It is a dense comic that does not quite know what to do with itself, one of the highest examples I've read so far of "try to get all you can out of these characters". This is why it is so unbearably long and took so long to finish too. I'm just glad I have read more things in the middle and this was not part of my introductions to comics, or that I already like Red Hood before trying to start this, even if he was not the worst character of this run.
I actually liked the Outlaws. Roy was fun as other characters were aware of how he's a goof, yet very resourceful. I want to highlight what Jason said on one of the last issues (#38 or so?): he is on a Batman level of intelligence, and I might say, also resourcefulness. It is not a question of will nor moral compass that makes them different, but maybe the struggle with oneself. Roy might be closer to Nightwing on that sense: knows where their heart is, willing to do good. The difference might be that Roy is more chaotic in a problematic sense, uncaring for law and struggling with the consequences of addiction. Although the comic portrays him as having overcome an active addiction, anyone that has struggled with any similar matter (even if just behavioural, or something more common like nicotine) knows that it is not a war you win, but that your life will keep on finding its battles. I can tell he struggles with the consequences of what he did while addicted, but also with avoiding to relapse, even if the comic did not explore this in depth. I can remember more vividly the last issues, obviously, since I've taken so long to finish it. I enjoyed the issues centered on Roy and his relationship with Oliver Queen, and the self-awareness of how his memories are distorted to make him more of a victim. Very realistic and a nice psychological hint.
Starfire is a character that one would say doesn't really fit into the mix. Is she really an out-law? She is an alien, and a tragic past does not make her fit into this category automatically. I'd say, they just wanted a woman into this mix, and landed on her as fitting the type of character they wanted. Can you imagine Raven or Huntress? Raven would not fit with the risk of these characters and bring too much emotional introspection (because the weight is expected, and is actually a nice contrast with this unavailable team); Huntress would lean too heavily on Gotham or Batman, since we already have Jason. So Starfire is a nice option. I have to say, I disliked the issues or plot-lines following any of the space opera genre. It was a love/hate relationship with wanting to explore Starfire's psychology, but not wanting any of the alien conflicts. It couldn't be done otherwise, I still have that personal opinion. On another note, I have not ready any other comics involving Starfire, and my only input on the character has been Teen Titans Go! (yes, I know, not even the actual good Teen Titans TV show), so this was quite a change which I actually liked. She feels adult without losing her clueless-ness that highlights she's not from Earth, but that she's still trying. It might be my favourite aspect of the character: she's introspective, with great intra and interpersonal skills, keeping kindness as powerful as she is, and aware of the cultural differences. At times she's a deus-ex-machina, since having "the power of an exploding sun" is obviously overpowered for her human non-meta companions, hence why the outer space plot-lines are necessary. It goes without saying that she's extremely sexualised, but it comes to a point you just give up. This comic is not made to be relevant, only to provide content to consume.
Last but not least, the one and only Red Hood. Giving the name to the comic, being there all the time, taking the screen time, and the very reason I read this comic in the first place. I am grateful they explain how we jump from Batman: Under the Red Hood to Outlaws, because it is much needed, and I also think Red Hood needs time outside of Gotham as a character. Most of the interesting plot-lines follow him: Essence, Freeze, losing his memory... Still, it felt a bit orientalist at times, or that it didn't do justice to the character. His voice is grounded, realism that still leans towards pessimism almost in a corny way (I'm sorry but... sometimes the generational gap hits like a cold slap). But still, he has undergone some very needed character growth, learning to not only tolerate by his side and work with (which many think is his issue, but as we can see throughout the whole comic, is not an issue at all!), but actually regarding those by his side as friends. From a (basically) orphan boy at Crime Alley, to being under Batman's tutelage, dying and being lethally wounded by his father to save his murderer, it is no wonder Jason is emotionally avoidant towards absolutely everyone, and that his most needed growth involves trust without dependency: He has sacrificed himself, had to trust the outlaws and break his belief that "if you want something done right, do it yourself". The last issue tries to bring this to a conclusion: he declines a hug from Roy like it's second nature, like it's obvious despite all they have been through. The closing is not clean, he is not emotionally literate or accepting. Once he hugs Roy, it is as a goodbye. Recovery and growth never leads to perfection, and even if something is finally addressed and works, it does not mean scars disappear. Jason's emotional scars can be seen on how he finally allows vulnerability and people on his heart, yet action (arguably his love language, what he has always demanded from Bruce and never received) can only take place on his part when there are not consequences; once his friend leaves. Team technically dismantled, comic abruptly closed.
I wonder why they chose this poor ending. Did they get the news "you have to close it! not giving revenue anymore!" and tried to do something? Because it is obvious, there's a lot to be written on the plot they had open. Rose has just been introduced as one of Jason's exes. The last ex we knew of gave like 10 issues worth of content and became a staple to the dynamics of the Outlaws. I was glad when I was done with the comic, but I can still not help but feel sorry for the writers who thought of an idea that was not to be finished. God... this might be the worst ending I've ever read in literature. But I guess it's up to the expectations this comic had been building.
Being honest, I picked this up because I wanted to read a very specific page, Todd's most cherished memory. And that little bit of story was everything I wanted it to be. The rest of it...... a bit complicated to sum up in a quick review. Not my favorite style of Starfire. She is simplified down into a one-dimensional sex object with a punch. Lacking all the depth that we have seen from her in a other stories. And Roy, taking a very complex character story and using more as a punchline. Its feels a little cheap. As for Todd himself, he doesn't really seem to fit with this team. This team doesn't really seem to fit together. More together because things keep happening and I guess since I was here when it started I'll be here to finish it. I adore Jason as character and I love him getting his own storylines, not just as Batman offshoots. But I don't really feel like a lot of the New 52 line worked for him. Still s good read if you like Todd and/or DC.
This book has been critically panned by critics and audiences alike. I do understand the reasons why, but in my humble opinion, there are a lot of things that I do like about the new 52 Red hood and the Outlaws run. I will highlight it in detail down below.
The run does start off quite slow, and the first few issues do take Starfire's character into consideration. I was even offended by how they seem to portray such a great character as one dimensional but after the first few issues, the comic run starts to pick up. Jason has to track down the Untitled, a race of metahumans who are dangerous to the world. You dive down into Jason Todd's past and how he has moved on from the pain of the Joker killing him. I don't want to spoil too much of the story, but it does dive heavy into Jason Todd's past and his ambivalent relationship with the Batfamily. His two allies, Starfire and Roy Harper, do have their own character arcs to fulfill. Roy Harper is a struggling drug addict who was cast out of the superhero club and Starfire is a alien lost in foreign world. This unlikely team of outlaws faces numerous threats besides the untitled, and there is even a huge side story in this volume that deals with the joker and the Batfamily.
If you are looking for action and adventure, this completion of the Red Hood comics is for you, and like I said, I do think that after the first 4 issues, it does pick up quite a bit with different villains and challenges that the outlaws have to face. I also think that this run does add a lot of depth to Jason Todd's character, Roy's character and Starfire's character. There are also cameos of other superhero's that I don't want to spoil too much. The art is beautiful, and the pacing is quite fast paced. Jason does annoy me at times with his lack of care bad-boy attitude, but he does show a remarkable amount of depth.
My biggest complaint is of course the beginning. It does start off quite slow and I don't like how Starfire was first portrayed but it does get better as the story goes on. I'd recommend this volume too, for anyone who is interested in these characters and is a fan of the rebirth Jason Todd, this story does lead up to rebirth. It also provides a lot of good character development for Roy Harper and Starfire for their later appearances. Jason Todd is also one of my favorite characters, so being able to see how he develops is interesting. I would also recommend this for anyone who is a fan of batman lore and side characters, as well as DC comics in general. Another demographic would be action/adventure fans looking for a great graphic novel to read. This volume has it all!
This is the longest Comic Omnibus and more pages of DC than I have ever read.
I had seen the Red Hood cartoon movie where he is killed an reanimated and that is a great primer for that.
This takes place a few years later and has Red Hood/Jason teaming up with Arsenal/Roy and Starfire/Koriand'r and learning how to be a functional person and part of a team that is trying to do good, but not be good-little-two-shoes.
There are really good sections and personal moments between the team and how much they quickly come to care about each other and it is very believable.
Each character also has an arc that is dedicated to them and it really switches the pacing and also gives us insight into the character and what makes them flawed, but also it helps them to be more heroic in my eyes.
Jason's is about the Joker kidnapping all of the bat family and how they are all tortured physically and psychologically by him and that they are all are damaged and need each other, but are also too damaged to properly help each other. Plus it implies that the Joker might be behind many major events of Jason's life.
Roy, I had never heard of so maybe learning that he built gear for the Green Arrow wasn't new, but I have a feeling his Alcoholism and Therapy was. Again the flaws and struggles are really what makes them people and more heroic than Mary Sues.
Kori's section has them going into space and having to save her people once again. It showed how she suffered as a slave and how it affects her still and how she actually feels about her people. Plus it was kick ass space adventure in a street level book.
As I wrote street level I then thought about the overarching story line about he balance and the 3 sides and how they work together and is Jason's connections to them and also they are at all out war to dominate the Earth. So I guess it is also hugely important, but also at times very small and personal.
The huge fights and spread are action packed, exciting and fun. Plus they get the crap kicked out of them, which is fun because if there is no challenge then what was the point.
Conversely the tender, smaller interpersonal moments are what bring the book and characters together and really make you care about them.
I started leery, not know much about the characters, but by the end I loved them and will happily read another omnibus about them.
5/5🌟 I’ve been waiting to read this Omnibus for what feels like years. I finally got my hands on a physical copy once it was on sale for a reasonable price and I’m beyond glad that I did. Red Hood and the Outlaws: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 1 provides several consecutive storylines filled with action, magic, banter and many flashbacks. Through this 700+ page omnibus, we learn a lot about Jason and who he is beyond being ‘the dead Robin’ or ‘a good soldier’. His morals in this specific run are made very clear especially by the end of the story, his decision making is more easily understood the more you read about him, most evidently shown in the Death of the Family storylines as well as later on in Shakedown. The characterization is good in terms of Jason and Roy, I’d say Kori’s behaviour was questionable, especially at the beginning of the book, but then again, I don’t know much about her aside from a little more than the basics. A specific example I loved was the panels between Jason and Damian, showing that Jason does care and respect the kid despite everything in the past between Jason and Bruce—he tries to say goodbye and console Damian after everything that happened with the Joker, and reminding Damian that he doesn’t have to sacrifice himself into filling the Robin role left for him “I know, you don’t think anyone can possibly understand what you are dealing with.” - “But me, Grayson, Tim? We’ve all been where you are now, Damian.”, these panels made me respect Jason more deeply, he might have needed to resurrect himself to say and get to this point, but he truly did his best to try to leave on good terms, and leave Damian feeling maybe just a bit more relieved. Overall I’d say this had many re-readable stories and I see myself returning to it, though, the art style isn’t very consistent in terms of the characters faces due to what I assume is mainly a change in the artists who worked on the issues at the time, primary example being on the iconic ‘chopped Jason’ panel that i didn’t exactly expect to find in this omnibus, I truly assumed it was from one of the newer runs. However, that being said, the artist who worked on ‘Last Dance. Last Chance…For Death’, Tyler Kirkham, did one of my favourite art pieces in this, the panels of Jason and Bruce were so stunning and so heartbreaking.
This was just okay. Not as bad as I have heard from others and James Tynion jumps in and finishes this run which brings up the quality of the writing. While cool to see, the layouts for most of the issues make the stories difficult to read. I did not like the characterization of starefire or the arc in space. The highlights were the death of the family ties ins, the zero year tie in and the final arc.
Another bad comic for Jason Todd... This was bad, hated the mask with the nose and mouth. Hated the hypersexualisation of starfire...ig it's the new 52s...
I think the Red Hood character is really interesting. I don't know about this comic storyline though.
This only contains part of the new 52 red hood comic series. It also makes the reader seem as if they are missing critical information found in earlier comic series, but a lot of times the reader isn't-- it's just part of the storyline to go in and out of partial flashbacks. The character development is spotty at best.