Here are my picks for a new Outsiders roster, followed by Batman's thoughts on each team member.
Katana, Tatsu Yamashiro. "Tatsu has proven herself time and time again. I'll need a lieutenant."
The Question, Vic Sage. "I know I can trust him because he doesn't trust anyone."
Metamorpho, Rex Mason. "Rex is a good man, and his knowledge of the four corners of the globe rivals my knowledge of Gotham."
The Creeper, Jack Ryder. "I may not like it, or him, but I've fought enough madmen to realize that there's value in unpredictability."
Animal Man, Buddy Baker. "Buddy's never really fit in with a team environment, as his short stint with the League's European branch proved, but he's willing to sacrifice for his family. I can use that."
Deadman, Boston Brand. "There are few places I can't get into on my own. That's where Boston come in. Useful. Hal and Barry's friendship. I always saw it as a liability in the field, but with Boston I just can't help liking the old ghost, even despite his annoying habit of possessing random strangers and using them to break into Wayne Manor, raid Alfred's wine cellar and get drunk in front of the TV."
Green Arrow, Connor Hawke. "All of his father's talent with none of his... failings. The kid proved himself with the League and could be useful, from time to time. Taking advantage of his naivety will be simple."
Manhunter, Mark Shaw. "There's no denying his talent even if I can't stand the man or his motivations. A check of his bank accounts reveals that he's thrown the Mirror Master back in jail enough times to buy half the real estate in Star City. Time to find other motivations for him. He really, really hates Kobra. So we have that in common."
Marvin & Wendy. "American college kids, backpacking abroad on their parents dime. Ubiquitous enough to be invisible. Inexperienced, but so was Tim once."
Not quite a full pitch, but I've got a few ideas kicking around. Maybe I'll elaborate on them when time permits.
Black Lightning I'd leave off the team because his profile's too high (Secretary of Education, Meltzer's JLA). Katana fills the lieutenant role nicely and ties to the original team.
Same with Metamorpho. Original team, experience, can fill the heavy hitter role and I'd love to showcase some crazy applications of his powers.
Bats has a history of training children and "Wendy: Agent of the Bat" has badass potential all over it. Wendy and Marvin would be the "Outsiders in plain sight".
I loved Ostrander and Yale's Manhunter series. Plus the guy really hates Kobra and you gotta respect that.
Connor is exactly the kind of guy Batman would use for 20 issues or so until the scales fall from his eyes and he realizes Batman's been playing him. "Of course I've been playing you. I'm Batman." Talented but naive.
There's another character, long deceased, who I'd bring back as an unoffical member of the team as Deadman's new sidekick. I'd build up the character's return slowly, at first only through Deadman's dialogue, making comments and references about the "new kid" he's showing the ropes. Can you guess who it is?
Finally, the line that demands to work it's way into the first issue: "I'm the god damn Creeper."
This is a book I'd love to write. Love to write.
2 comments:
I'd love to read it.
Well, maybe not the Wendy and Marvin bit. But I'm willing to give them a try, based upon the rest of your vision.
I really like the idea of bringing back Vibe as Deadman's sidekick. The more I think about it, the more it's growing on me.
I wonder what they'd say if I just called up DC and politely asked to take over the book after Tony Bedard's run.
Actually, I can probably guess the answer.
It's The Outsiders featuring Wendy, Marvin, The Creeper and the ghost of Vibe. It practically writes itself.
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