Review: Red Hood: Outlaw #42
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer:Â Scott Lobdell
Artist:Â Paolo Pantalena
Colors:Â Arif Prianto
Letters: ALW’s Troy Peteri
Reviewer:Â Tony Farina
Summary
Red Hood: Outlaw #42 follows the old team and the new team on a high octane adventure through mayhem, chaos and craziness. Blood flows and bullets fly.
OK. Just kidding. Jason and Artemis hug, kiss and hold hands. Bizarro meditates with half of Generation Outlaw. Seriously, Bizarro does not stand up in this whole issue. Babe in Arms makes a plan. Faye makes a confession. That’s about it.
Positives
There’s yet another new art team. This time Paolo Pantalena and Arif Prianto take over as artist and colorist. It is hard to know how good this will be in the future, but for an issue where people sit around, eat apples and hug it out, they do a dazzling job. There is a sparkle effect on almost every panel. It fits with the mellow vibe of Red Hood: Outlaw #42. It makes one just want to take a break and stare at the pages. Troy Peteri’s lettering is really amazing as well. Having Bizarro back means his word bubbles are back. DNA, Doomed and Babe in Arms all have distinct “speaking” voices as well. Nicely done sir.
Negatives
In addition to the slow pacing, the will they/wont they of Jason and Artemis is really annoying. It seems that it has been resolved for now, but then that last panel happens. I don’t care. I don’t think people were that excited to finally get the band back together so they could see the two reds make out. I have always wondered if the CW would do a Red Hood and the Outlaws show with Roy, Thea and Nissa. Maybe Scott Lobdell is auditioning for that. I like the CW shows because they know what they are. I have always like this book because it knows what it is. Those lines are blurring and it doesn’t really work.
Verdict
This ends the generation outlaw story arc. The hope is that next month, a better, more thoughtful and interesting story will begin. Lobdell’s love for Jason Todd is unrivaled so I have faith that he is playing a long game here. I love loved this book when few others I know have, but it has been harder and harder to defend. I am hopeful that next month the title will change back and we can pick up where we left off a few years ago.
