Girl In The Hood: Outlaws #11 Edition

By

Elizabeth Airelle

"Stars Fading, But I Linger On, Dear--Still Craving Your Death!"

     The story opens with Roy Harper; he has been taken prisoner by the Blight. They are torturing him trying to find out where Koriand’r aka Starfire. He claims she left him behind, abandoned, so he feels no need to protect her any longer and the stoy unfolds.  We flashback to the end of last issue, the Starfire crew wipes out a majority of the Blight’s fleet and the rest flee.  While the ship celebrates, Roy notices that Kori is sad so he and Jason talk privately with her  in the sickbay.

     Starfire’s origin is explained.  She and her sister Komand’r grew up together. They were very close and Komand’r cared a lot for her younger sister, until she traded Kori for her people’s freedom. She suffered for years and grew to resent and hate her older sister. After her, Depalo, Orn and K’tten escaped to Tamaran she planned on killing her, until Komand’r held her and they cried for days together. But the damafe was still done.  Kori and Komand’r couldn’t reconnect so she left to command the Starfire.

     For years Starfire was a slave, and not one person on her planet had tried to save her. Now she really doesn’t want to help them. She claims a part of her wouldn’t care if the planet got destroyed.  Jason starts to say she’s not wrong but Roy interrupts and tells Kori she is a good person and if she is going to help, it comes from her own strength not because of what her people did or didn’t do. It’s interesting how one member of the group seems to play the role of a conscience for other at various times.

     Starfire leaves to be alone and Roy debates on going with her but stays. Is.Abel aka Isabel aka Jason’s date from last issue catches up with them.  Jason starts to explain himself but Isabel says there is no need, and until aliens crashed their date it was the most boring date for her. Interestingly from one issue to the next Jason’s phoney life story for his date went from Dry Cleaning service owner to Real Estate Agent. I sort of wish we’d had an issue of Jason just lying to his date to see how far he’d take it.

     We cut to now and the Blight is enraged over what’s deemed a delaying tactic by Roy, telling a whole story instead of answering a simple question of : Where is Koriand’r?  A voice off panel says that he is stalling because he thinks Kori will save him, but she won’t because Kori only ever has been worried about herself and her own safety.  The voice is Komand’r aka Blackfire and she is demanding to see her sister. Roy states that will happen sooner than later and he can’t wait.

     Roy narrates this story which I like because so far we haven’t focused much on him. Isabel handling this situation makes sense when she compares it to a scared kid alone on a plane. I like the space outfits, very nifty. I really like the space adventures but can’t wait for them to get back to Earth. Also was I the only one to catch Roy saying he was wounded?

     So we finally get to see some of Starfire’s past. I want more already. From the sound of Komand’r there’s another version of the story and I’m curious to see it unfold. The old origin was Komand’r was born with an illness that made her unable to fly and lost the title of princess to Kori, and that’s where the hatred and jealousy came from. It seems she became queen at a young age so I really want to know what happened. I always liked the Starfire/Blackfire rivalry. Also love Blackfire’s new look. She used to be drawn to be less attractive than Kori but the uniform, claws even hair looks a lot better. Kudos to Rocafort, because this is one of my favorite redesigns for the new 52. 

Until next time Hoodies !! 

You can find Elizabeth chatting with other Hoodies at:

https://www.facebook.com/RedHoodOutlaws

And follow our Twitter feed: @RedHoodOutlaws

Girl In The Hood- Outlaws #10 Edition

By

Elizabeth Airelle

Starlight, Star Bright- First Star I Kill Tonight

The issue starts with Roy and Kori sleeping while a mysterious ax-wielding alien stands over them.  At the same time, 20 floors below Jason Todd is walking out front with his date Isabel, a flight attendant he met some time ago. It’s hard for him to be honest with her about whom he really is and spent the night lying about himself. He offers to call her a cab but she’s not ready for the night to end and kisses him. While they kiss Jason notices the said ax-wielding alien falling towards them and grabs Isabel out of the way.

Jason puts on his helmet [Hoodie Admin note: I love he takes the helmet with him everywhere in his man purse] and opens fires on the alien in front of Isabel. The bullets do not hurt him at all so he starts swinging at Jason. Meanwhile Isabel starts to realize that Jason doesn’t own a dry cleaning business.

Starfire flies down and demands that the creature shows himself. It is revealed that the creature is Orn, an ally of Koriand’r. Orn informs her that trouble has fallen on her planet Tamaran and she must come back to fight for them. She is briefly conflicted; her people traded her freedom for their own. She’s never felt wanted by her people. Jason and Roy don’t really believe his story and thinks she shouldn’t become involved. However her loyalty comes first and she agrees to go, Jason and Roy insist on going as well.

They teleport to the ship in a risky condition and Kori leaves to meet with the Captain. Jason and Roy still feel off about this and decide to look around. However Isabel has been there the entire time and has been accidently teleported as well. She is upset because she feels that first date or not she should have been told the truth about him so she could make her own choice. Jason demands that she be sent home but teleporting is not available so she is along for the ride.

The spacecraft is named The Starfire. A certain Captain DePalo gives command to Kori and informs her of the danger facing them. The enemy known as “The Blight” attacked three days ago. They “live only to thrive off of the bones of civilization”. They have taken out the shields and have done nothing else but wait for Starfire to return. She opens up communications telling them if they lower their weapons and power down they will live. However once the battle begins the offer is off the table.

This issue does a good job of setting up this story. Kori and Roy seem to be starting some sort of relationship, which I have always liked. For too long it’s always been about her and Dick Grayson. Even if it doesn’t work out it’s nice to see her move on. I am curious now that she is back to Tamaran how her subjects might feel about their princess being with a human. Jason worked up the nerve and went out with Isabel. He brings up a good point. How do people with secret identity’s date?  At least when she regains consciousness he can be a little more honest with her.

I am really looking forward to seeing Starfire command this ship and see some battle scenes. Starfire’s background has always been very emotional. She was enslaved by her people to save them.  It’s awesome to see her go home for what I think is the first time since she was enslaved. I can’t wait to see Blackfire, find out about her and Kori’s relationship and find out what part she is playing in this war.  

Until next time Hoodies !! 

You can find Elizabeth chatting with other Hoodies at:
https://www.facebook.com/RedHoodOutlaws
And follow our Twitter feed: @RedHoodOutlaws

ASK LOBDELL- 5/29/12 Post 3 Day Weekend Edition

Welcome to our sixth installment of Ask Lobdell where YOU get to ask Scott Lobdell questions about Red Hood And The Outlaws.

This week, Steve asks: 
What character would you have loved more than anything to be on Red
Hood's "team", but were unable to use for one reason or another, and
how would you have brought them on board Outlaws? What do you love
about that character?

Scott Answers
That is a great question, Steve, because there were probably a lot of characters I had toyed with adding tot he roster right from the start.   I, along with everyone else who heard the title "And the Outlaws" thought "Really?  Can they be a 'team' with just three characters?"

(Of course, it turns out they can!)

But I think you asked about the one character "more than anything"... so that narrows it down to Misfit.

I thought she would have made an excellent addition to the team because she is just so out there.   I think Jason, Roy and Kori carry a lot of their "out there-ness" inside with them, so at a distance they seem like mostly normal (sometimes violent) people... until you get to know them and you appreciate the damage within.   Misfit, however, is just so gosh darn loopy that she wears her damage on her sleeve.   If RHATO were the A-Team, she would be their Murdock.

Gail Simone has done amazing work with Misfit -- is it any wonder I wanted her for RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS!  (MIsfit, that is!)

Remember Hoodies, you get to ask Scott a question in our weekly polling over at the Red Hood & The Outlaws Facebook page, so like us and keep an eye out for the invitation to submit next week's questions.

Mike DePalo
Hoodie Admin
https://www.facebook.com/RedHoodOutlaws
@RedHoodOutlaws on Twitter

ASK LOBDELL: 5/22/12 It's late because I have a house guest edition

Welcome to our fifth installment of Ask Lobdell where YOU get to ask Scott Lobdell questions about Red Hood And The Outlaws.

This week, Mike asks: 
The ending of Red Hood 9 was somewhat ambiguous, did Jason pull the
trigger and kill Xiao Loong, the Talon? When writing the piece, was
did you feel was going through the Talon's mind that made him break
away, and say "No mas!" to the Court of Owls?

Scott Answers
Well, as you know, I wasn't there... but I can tell you that in the previous issue we actually saw Jason pull the trigger.   So...

I don't know what Xiao's thinking was, but I got the impression he might have felt any obligations he had to the Court of Owls were fulfilled "in life" -- and that perhaps this second chance at life was an opportunity to take his fate into his own hands.    But you know, those Talons are notoriously non-forthcoming, so that is just a guess on my part. 

Remember Hoodies, you get to ask Scott a question in our weekly polling over at the Red Hood & The Outlaws Facebook page, so like us and keep an eye out for the invitation to submit next week's questions.

Mike DePalo
Hoodie Admin
https://www.facebook.com/RedHoodOutlaws
@RedHoodOutlaws on Twitter

Girl In The Hood- Red Hood # 9 Edition

By

Elizabeth Airelle

Who Are You?--Hoo Hoo?

     Continuing from the last issue it’s the night of owls and the Outlaws are in Chinatown which almost all of it has been frozen solid by Mr. Freeze in an attempt to bunker down.  Freeze has an assassin called a Talon from the Court of Owls after him [one of many high profile Talon targets the Bat-Family has to protect], so the Outlaws have come to look out for Freeze while trying to save the city from Freeze as well. The team splits up with Jason going after Freeze and Kory with Roy clearing the ice and getting people away to safety. Jason uses the moment to be alone with the city he was born and raised in. Being home makes him feel confused and anxious. With all that’s happened he would suspect that this was all just a ruse to ambush him and arrest him, if not for the ice fort he’s breaking into.

     Red Hood feels off his game and he is when the Talon gets a jump on him, but he's the only thing between Freeze and Talon. Our frozen foe is understandably confused as to why Red Hood is trying to protect him and refuses his aid because he won’t take any help from Batman. Freeze then cold-blasts Jason’s hand to his gun and in the confusion Talon attempts to slip away.

     Jason goes up against the Talon who explains about his past and Jason begins to understand him. The  Talons have risen from the dead to serve out the court of Owls mission to assassinate key figures in Gotham. Jason criticize him by saying “You get a chance to come back to life- and the only thing that comes to mind is “assassin”” It's an important moment we'll come back to later.

     Talon is about to strike when Roy intervenes. He fixes Jason’s frozen hand with a heat arrow, Jason remarking how brilliant he is at making weapons. They decide to switch with Red Hood going after Talon and Roy with Kory finishing Freeze. Starfire attempts to offer protection for Freeze, but he refuses blasting her out of the sky, warning there will be a frozen death for the next person who tries to enter his lab.

     Kory and Freeze battle out with her flames vs his ice. She feels repulsed and impressed by him. Freeze tells her everything he does is for love. Starfire not believing him states “Love does not leave suffering and death in its wake” realizing that she only pities him now.  The Court of Owls seemed to use Freeze’s experimental work to reanimate their Talons. It is the reason he got mixed up in this. He agreed to work with them because they promised the end of Batman. Roy finally ends the fight, shorting out Freeze with an electrical arrow, and a Back to the Future reference [1.21 gigawatts anyone?]

     Meanwhile Talon seems to lead Jason to an empty lot that was occupied by Haley’s Circus. The same circus that Dick Grayson, aka Nightwing, came from. Jason notes that Talon’s movements are that of an acrobat. Jason figures out that Talon must of “ran away and joined the circus”. Afterwards the Court of Owls enlisted him. Talon says they own his body, not his soul, which he feels has become a mockery since his return to life. Jason can understand. Talon revels himself as Xiao Loong [the name itself is a reference to Bruce Lee, Li Xiaolong being one of Lee's stage names in China]. Wanting to end this “life” on his terms, Xiao asks Jason to shoot him, almost begging. Jason complies [or does he?]

     On top of the Gotham Police department Batgirl, aka Barbara Gordon, having defeated her Talon waits for Batman.  She is surprised to see Jason dropping off Mr. Freeze. Batgirl tells her that this one act won’t make up for everything he has done and to leave Gotham. Jason says that better bats have tried and to tell Bruce he’s welcome.

     I really liked the second page with Chinatown covered in ice! It reminds the audience of the epic power Mr. Freeze has. Victor Fries as a villain I always liked, and made me sad at the same time.  The “love” he does this for is for his wife Nora.  His actions have always been about trying to save her.  He’s a tragic villain, not a pun saying, eskimo henchmen having villain (Damn you Batman & Robin movie!).

     The Talon Jason fight was good. A Talon not wanting to start again and end his life is understandable. I wish this had been two parts, just to see more of his past and how/why he was picked. Jason really is not the same Red Hood from the Under The Red Hood days. It’s displayed with his remark to Xiao about second chances being squandered as an assassin highlighting that change in him. A few years ago someone could have easily said  to Jason “You came back to life and all you want is revenge?”  This shows a lot of character growth.

     Batgirl’s cameo was a surprise! Now, I got into comics when Barbara was Oracle and read through Cassandra Cain to Stephanie Brown and I liked that dynamic so it’s been hard to wrap my head around still that she is Batgirl again. I loved how she was drawn and understandably did not like her attitude. Makes me wish it had been Tim Drake or Alfred at the end but I guess someone had to kick the three out of Gotham.

     I cannot wait for next month because the Outlaws will be heading into space. I’m hoping this changes the dynamic with Starfire in charge and the boys following her lead. Until next month Hoodies !!

  

ASK LOBDELL- 5/14/12- Maybe we'll just do this on Mondays rather than be late, Lobdell

Welcome to our fourth installment of Ask Lobdell where YOU get to ask Scott Lobdell questions about Red Hood And The Outlaws.

This week, Adam [yes, Adam, who asked the question last week too, come up with good questions a you could be Adam] asks:
Since Jason is able to do what most heroes cannot, kill, is the idea of a Rogues gallery for RHatO out of the realm of possibilities? Are large/overarching groups of enemies more or less what we will be seeing for a while? or even just one-and-done (or spanning a few issues) villains?

Scott Answers
I will try to answer this question the best I can, because I admit I don't really understand it. I'm not sure why his killing would prevent him from having a rogue's gallery. Just because he can kill doesn't mean he does kill, or have to kill -- so it is not as if every person he faces, he kills.(I believe he would have given Suzie the benefit of the doubt if she has opted not to define the rest of her life by revenge.) He didn't kill Crux or Mr. Freeze or (presumably) even the Talon.

So while yes, he will be battling larger scale groups (like the Untitled and Intergang and the Blight, to name a few) it doesn't mean he's not going to have individual "villains" making their way in and out of their lives.    And sometimes there will be villains that come from Roy and Kori's backgrounds that he might not see as it being his place to kill.

Remember Hoodies, you get to ask Scott a question in our weekly polling over at the Red Hood & The Outlaws Facebook page, so like us and keep an eye out for the invitation to submit next week's questions.

Mike DePalo
Hoodie Admin
https://www.facebook.com/RedHoodOutlaws
@RedHoodOutlaws on Twitter

ASK LOBDELL- 5/7/2012 A Day Late And A Dollar Short Edition

Welcome to our third installment of Ask Lobdell where YOU get to ask Scott Lobdell questions about Red Hood And The Outlaws.

This week, Adam asks:

What sorts of hijinks would Crux have been contributing to the Outlaws if you had decided to make him a member? Also, as a side question, would you mind explaining in detail why you decided not to have Cruxbecome an Outlaw after all?


Scott answers: [Spoilers below kids]
Originally I felt the team needed a physical powerhouse and a brilliant scientist and thought that Crux could provide both of those characteristics in a single character. The goal was to develop Jason, Roy and Kori first and then to introduce a fourth character who would have his own sort of redemption arc.

But as the series progressed and the dynamics between the trio became more evident, it also became pretty clear that a fourth member would have introduced a whole new slew of interactions and conflicts that -- in a comic of only twenty pages -- I felt that it was too soon to add another Outlaw.

Now I am going to do something I rarely do, but -- you know, Hoodies and all I think you deserve -- I'm going to tell you my plans for Crux moving forward:   Around issue 16 or 17 (it will be here before you know it, trust me) I want him to break out of Arkham and make his way to his lab, only to discover the Outlaws.  Instead of attacking them, he thanks them.  His time spent at Arkham really helped turn him around and get his head on straight.   So instead of continuing to stalk aliens across the globe, he decides to help Jason and Kori and Roy on their exploits.   Opting to never "dragon out" again, he is instead going to use his brilliance to help Red Hood and the Outlaws battle the Intergang!
That is the plan any way.   But in comics -- as in real life -- I don't always get my own way!   So stay tuned!


Remember Hoodies, you get to ask Scott a question in our weekly polling over at the Red Hood & The Outlaws Facebook page, so like us and keep an eye out for the invitation to submit next week's questions.

Mike DePalo
Hoodie Admin
https://www.facebook.com/RedHoodOutlaws
@RedHoodOutllaws on Twitter.