Cover by Jim Aparo

Title: “One-Man Meltdown”
Synopsis: The Outsiders continue to settle into their new lives in Gotham – at least until Ned “Meltdown” Creegan escapes from prison.

Writer: Mike W. Barr
Penciler: Jim Aparo
Inker: Aparo

Review: Writer Mike W. Barr takes a slow-build approach to this series, taking time to develop individual characters and their relationships with one another. For the most part, his characterization is strong (though the Katana/Halo relationship feels a bit forced this time out), resulting in a team readers can easily connect with. It also helps that Barr keeps Batman front and center; the writer has a great feel for the Dark Knight, and it’s fun to see The Outsiders through Batman’s eyes. Top it off with solid art from the always-dependable Jim Aparo, and Batman and the Outsiders is on its way to being a winner.

Grade: B+

Cool factor: This done-in-one adventure is full of character moments; it’s amazing how much writers could pack into a single Bronze Age comic.

Notable: According to a note from Mike W. Barr on this issue’s “Inside the Outsiders” letters page, this story was actually a quickly thrown together fill-in, when the crossover with the Teen Titans (published in Batman and the Outsiders #5) was pushed back a month. It’s a pretty strong issue, considering!

Character quotable: “For a warrior, there may not be a ‘next time.’ ” – Katana, again showing off her exceptional maternal instinct

Copyright ©2020 Off the Wahl Productions, all rights reserved. Each week, T. Andrew Wahl offers up a Bronze Age Minute. For more, check out Wahl’s website, SequentialReaction.com.