Outsiders #6 – Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, Writers; Robert Carey, Artist; Annette Taddeo, Colorist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: This series has been a huge surprise for how experimental it is, in a way that few comics have reached – with the exception of its spiritual predecessor, the iconic Planetary. This issue takes that to the next level, with a complex story that brings in a new x-factor to the team – Lucius Fox, who is still recovering from the stroke he suffered last year as well as the mental trauma he suffered at the hands of the Joker. He’s on hand to set up the conclusion of a long project he’s been working on with Drummer, one that involves exploring new realms of the multiverse – and beyond. Because this issue begins with a journey beyond the known universe and ends with a journey beyond the pages of the comic itself – in a way I’ve really never seen done in a comic book. And the catalyst for all of this is the Carrier, the Wildstorm mainstay that the characters discovered. And in this issue, she’s transformed into a human being.
This issue centers around a unique location known as the Place Between the Pages, a sort of limbo that becomes a home to all the characters who are erased from continuity. This includes those who are erased in events, and those whose books are cancelled prematurely. One of my favorite parts of this issue are the many, many cameos that show up here, including some from the ’90s books that I grew up on. But that’s only one of the surprises here – with the biggest coming at the end of the issue, as we find out the true identity of a major character – and it ties back to this book’s earliest origins. So far, this title has taken us to time, space, the multiverse, the realm of the supernatural, and now even into the realm of metacommentary. Where is it going next? I have no idea, and that’s a rarity in comics these days. I hope Lanzing and Kelly keep this gloriously weird book going as long as possible.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
