Review by Tim Sheridan
“Deep Impact”
Writer: Jen Van Meter
Penciller: Dietrich Smith
Inkers: Art Thibert & Steve Bird
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Colorist: Guy Major
Asst Editor: Rachel Gluckstern
Editor: Joan Hilty
Published by DC Comics
This is it, the last issue before DC’s big “One Year Later” push. So this issue should play something like a season finale for the Outsiders. As I’ve mentioned many times before, this series was a tremendous surprise for me. There was a time where I was impressed month in and month out. The quality just got better and better. I was always able to look past the inconsistent (but always quality) art. But about six months ago, after a crossover with Teen Titans, it lost all it’s steam. Any drive this book had, was gone.
Since then, it’s been almost marking time until something better came along.
This issue was by far, the worst of it’s run. Now I’m not saying this is a bad comic book. But it is just very weak in comparison to the rest of the high quality run.
I think that has a lot to do with the creative team. For this issue, and the last one, Judd Winick and Carlos D’Anda (who I assumed was the regular artist) have been on hiatus, and we have been given a fill-in team. Jen Van Meter is probably a very talented writer, but Outsiders is not the right book for her. It’s something I can’t quite put my finger on, but I think it’s the fact that this was Winnick’s book from it’s start, and any other voice than his seems odd.
The art is completely serviceable, but that’s it. There was always something dynamic and kinetic about the art in this book, and Detrich Smith seems to be missing that. He does great work with the smaller, character moments, but the action scenes fall somewhat flat.
In terms of story, it’s not a bad one. The gist of it, is that the Outsiders have to rescue Ms Marvel from the clutches (yeah, I actually used the word “clutches”) of the Society of Villains. In typical Outsiders fashion, there are double-crosses, arguing team members, and of course, the good guys win in the end.
But there is something about the issue that just feels…dull. Perhaps because it is a fill in, that we know nothing can really be changed, and that things will work out in the end. Though there are two moments that I have to talk about. The first is when Captain Marvel Jr realizes that he truly does belong with the Outsiders. Now, I don’t know much about this character, but seeing him coming to terms with this, and wanting to be a part of the team was a very nice moment. I really felt happy for him. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the other moment I need to talk of is with Arsenal, right at the end. He seems completely broken down and unsure of himself. This is a long time coming, but it’s just very jarring to see someone who is (somewhat, at least) the leader of the team, act like this. He walks away at the end, and while I’m sure he’ll be back, it’s a nice little “season finale” cliffhanger.
