Reviewer: Andy Campbell
Story Title: Back to Normal
Writer: Judd Winick
Art: Karl Kerschl
Colors: Tanya & Richard Horie
Letters: Pat Brosseau
Associate Editor: Tom Palmer, Jr.
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Publisher: DC Comics
From what I can tell, people either love or hate the Outsiders. I am one of
the former. I really like Judd Winick’s writing, as he seems to be able to combine
cool stories, action-packed stories, heavy stories, and funny stories together
into one excellent book.
This issue’s primary focus is on the bizarre relationship between Shift, a
metamorph, and Indigo, an android. I thought the cover title was brilliant:
Strange Love, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Android. This issue
wasn’t important to any storyline, didn’t have any real pivotal moments, but
it was a lot of fun. The Shift/Indy relationship was explored much more in-depth
(MUCH more!), and the HQ was attacked by Shrapnel. Having Shift and Indy handle
Shrapnel by themselves was a nice touch, as we got to see how just those two
characters interact. The end of the issue sees an important reveal, but the
issue as a whole was all Shift/Indy.
I like the art in this book a lot better than the art during the America’s
Most Wanted storyline. In particular, Kerschl’s rendering of the Shift/Indy
love scene is…quite striking. I honestly don’t think anyone else could have
pulled it off so well. It’s one of those things that’s really disturbing…and
yet, I can’t look away.
Anyway, this is a fun, light issue that I recommend, if you like fun, light
issues. If not, wait until next month, because it looks like things are going
to be heating up.
