TITLE:Batman and the Outsiders vol. 1, issue #1
YEAR: August 1983
COMPANY: DC Comics
Writer/Co-Creator: Mike W. Barr
Artist/Co-Creator: Jim Aparo
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Editor: Len Wein
For those who have read “Batman”, especially during the ’80s and ’90s, we have seen a vulnerable Bruce Wayne, overworked, stressed out, frustrated.
And dedicated to protecting Gotham and trying to rid the streets of scum, needless to say, its been busy work that has kept him preoccupied.
While Lucius Fox of Wayne Enterprises is going to Markova on business, Bruce throws his good friend a party but during the next 48 hours, he has been busy. And when he arrives back to the Bat Cave, he learns from Alfred that Lucius has gone missing during the Markovian Revolution and the State Department and the Embassy is releasing no information.
Batman knows who can get the information and that is his team, the Justice League of America. Unfortunately, the JLA has been told by the State Department that troops or the JLA can not get involved because it may escalate the situation in Markova and Superman has promised that they would stay out of it.
Superman tells Batman the matter is closed and because the JLA are unable to help or get involved, Batman quits the Justice League of America.
Meanwhile, in Castle Markova, King Viktor is dying and gives his eldest son Gregor the title of King but wants him and his brother Brion to get along. As Gregor becomes the new king, Brion works with Dr. Jace who is a scientist who can has experiments to create a super power. And he is volunteering himself to be experimented.
In Markova, we are introduced to a group of people with abilities, amateurs that Batman has assembled in hopes to rescue Lucius.
Back in 1983, just seeing the front cover of “Batman and the Outsiders” was literally a shock. Batman leaving the Justice League of America? I never thought it would happen, especially like this.
But you have to give Mike W. Barr and artist Jim Aparo credit for creating a fresh series with new characters which included Batman, Black Lightning, Geo-Force, Halo, Katana (yes, the character that people may have discovered in the film, “Suicide Squad”), Metamorpho and more.
While this was the first issue, the true first appearance was in the 200th issue of “The Brave and the Bold”. The series would last for 32 issues and the title was changed to “Adventures of the Outsiders” which would last through issue #46 (issue #38 was the true last issue, issues #39-#46 were reprints). The series would then lead to four more volumes of “Outsiders” and a second volume of “Batman and the Outsiders”.
Overall, this series was no doubt one of the most anticipated titles of the ’80s and had a very awesome storyline that introduced characters that have become quite popular many years later.
Definitely a series worth reading!