New associate Kate Kane persuades Outsiders Luke Fox and Drummer to investigate a storm that’s been raging in the ‘Enlil Triangle’ since the first day of the new millennium. When she was a young cadet, ex-Army Kate encountered a sea monster while on an observation mission to the area, named for a Mesopotamian god.
Today the Outsiders arrive at the danger spot and find their approach was noted.
It’s the Challengers of the Unknown. Or rather, a Challengers of the Unknown. The New Challengers from 2018, who were hobbled at birth by being part of the Dark Metal nonsense event.
Given the Challs and the Outsiders have similar remits – to unravel the mysteries of the planet – they’re either going to work together beautifully or engage in a pissing contest.
Sadly, it’s the latter, due to differing approaches – the Outsiders want information for the sake of it, while the Challengers want to blast beasties to smithereens.
The New Challs are more obnoxious than I remember them. Trina, in particular, seems to be looking for an excuse to murder Kate, Drummer and Luke. When Kate jumps into a bespoke Bat-diving suit to try to find the source of the storm, the Challs show the size of their bespoke battle suits.
When Kate signed up with Luke Fox’s project last issue he was very anti-Spandex, but she immediately went into action in her superhero suit. Here Luke has run up a future action figure suit for her… I think we have a running joke.
Writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly have said they intent to go to the farthest reaches of the DC Universe with this limited series, connecting the weirdest places and characters. Well, I must say I never expected to see the New Challs again… I have built-in resentment cos they’re not the original Challs – Rocky, Ace, Prof and Red, with June as our extra hero – but perhaps they’re in Outsiders to be redshirts. I could stand that, although New Chall Krunch – the dopey shirtless strongman – is currently busy in Tom King’s Danger Street book (well, I say busy, I’ve not read the series since #1, he’s probably dead by now). Given how obnoxious Trina is, and the fact she’s visually similar to Drummer – you can tell them apart by a cigar – she’d be a handy sacrifice to the gods of Drama.
So, do the New Challs survive the instalment? Or will you see them again in another five years? To find out you could do worse than buy this issue, which features a ‘calm before the storm’ cover from illustrator Roger Cruz and colourist Adriano Lucassome, and fantastic monster shots from interior artist Robert Carey. The storytelling is generally good though at times the writers might have given us a few more words to make very clear what’s going on. And oh, how I wish they’d pack it in with the black smudges for, presumably, swear words – you’re professional writers, use words that excite and illuminate; we know the stakes are high and can imagine the characters cussing. I don’t need wasted space.
Valentina Taddeo’s colours are excellent, conveying undersea murkiness while lighting the panels enough so we can see what’s going on. As for ever excellent letterer Rob Leigh, I’m giving him credit for a nice tweak to the classic Challengers of the Unknown logo, which is so much more attractive than the one the New Challs were saddled with for their mini-adventure.
The big question I have about this issue is, how could there be a wild storm raging in the DC Universe for a quarter of a century without it being sorted by sundry superheroes? Other talking points might include the second-hand characterisation of Aquaman as ruthless monster killer. Can a sea creature be a Century Baby? And is Batwoman a fan of Hawkeye?
After last issue’s basic introduction to the new Outsiders I was hoping for a tour of the headquarters and a deeper dig into the concept. The closest we get here is an opening panel scene-setting caption: ‘Outsiders field office, London, England’. I get that Lanzing and Kelly might not want to slow things down, but a few pages of background would be illuminating.
That apart, this is a pretty good issue – again, I never needed to see the new Challs return, but I loved the surprise of their arrival. Who’ll show up next? Primal Force? The Power Company? Hero Hotline? There’s an outside chance.
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 
It is funny how disconnected superhero universes tend to be. When Gotham is being obliterated, millions of people are threatened, but no Superman, Wonder Woman, or Green Lantern shows up. When Hell’s Kitchen is being put to the torch, no Avengers show up. It’s like all the Superheroes have arrogantly laid claim to territory and other superheroes are not allowed to interfere.
Like they would do on Earth 3. Hmmm!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmmmm… do I see a theory? I can usually assume heroes are busy on a mission if they’re not helping their pals, but when Gotham is devastated for months and no one helps it stretches credulity.
LikeLike
I was neutral to negative about issue one. I really couldn’t stand this issue. Art that’s too dark to make sense of has never been appealing to me. I also hate the new villainous Challengers of the Unknown, because come on, let’s face it that’s what they are. The Anti-Challs do and say some heinous things and no hint in the story their actions are regarded as being as reprehensible as they are. I don’t mind anti-heroes but I prefer heroic fiction and I don’t think I’d be getting anything like it from this series so adios muchachos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
On first reading I hated this, I warmed a little on second go, but I’m not far from you – issue three may be the crunch one. I really wouldn’t have cared had these it-worthy-to-be-called Challengers has been eaten by a giant sea prawn.
LikeLike
I’m watching this from the sidelines for now. I like Batman but am not a “Bat-Family” fan so the leads are not the draw. But the premise is an interesting one. I’ve long thought DC needs an ongoing, or at least a long mini-series, about a team exploring the multi-verse. Although frankly a “Challengers of the Unknown” title fits that bill, although “Outsiders” is a cool name… But I’m a little hesitant about exactly what this wants to be. A Batman-related book? A multi-verse book? A reboot of an old Wildstorm property? I am getting some fun vibes that remind me of all of those dearly-departed series like Chronos, Primal Force, Chase, etc. that DC experimented with years ago. Who knows? More positive reviews from you, Martin, and I might have to give this a shot. I’m also not quite clear whether it’s a mini or an ongoing. Some of DC’s recent minis clearly are labeled as such on the front covers (Issue 1 of 6) while this, from what I can tell, isn’t, but was marketed as 12 issues, right? – Brian
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks you for mentioning these fab old comics. I really do want to reread Chase and Chronos, though I’ve still not got over the last issue of Primal Force. That was just weird.
LikeLike
It’s been like 20 years since I read it, but if I recall correctly, Primal Force wrapped up by jumping ahead, right? We saw like a last battle in flashback, then caught up with the characters after the team had dissolved off-screen or something like that? I do remember thinking it was a unique last issue and liking it for that reason, though the details escape me. Funny you thought the same, though. I’d like to re-read it again, too. Cool mix of characters with the “broken/haunted” Red Tornado in the mix. – Brian
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looking at it again, I like that the team were still hale and hearty at the end, even if not together. But we never saw the end of the battle with Lord Satanus, it seemed like he’d win. I need an untold story. I do wish we could see Primal Force again.
LikeLike