Red Hood and the Outlaws #1 Annual Vol.2

Jason and Dick finally hang out with the Outlaws. A.K.A. an actual look into how Jason and Dick relate to one another.

SPOILERS AHEAD

A bad guy has a beef with Red Hood and tries to get KGBeast to help him. It doesn't work out so well for the other people on the boat. Dick arrives at a circus to watch the Outlaws perform. Jason gave Dick little information in case he turned him down. Dick ends up getting roped into it anyway.

When Dick's performing the Outlaws are led to K.G.Beast who just goes by the name Beast now. This clears up any confusion I had over whether they were recognized since they were. This is mostly a piece examining the dynamics between Jason and Dick something no other writer has really bothered with since Jason started working with the family again.

If you're looking for action there's little to be found here although I don't mind at all. The action it's self didn't really work for me but I was at least impressed that Beast was able to figure out the Outlaws were undercover agents.


Overall: Given Dick's annoyance/playful teasing with Jason keeping him in the dark and Jason's reluctance to be turned down I think we got some good insight into their relationship to right away. Jason doesn't like to ask for help, in fact he hasn't actually asked any of the family for assistance with his missions in his titles. Tim and him started working together after they shared information. And some of it is still unclear. (*1) But the fact Jason is making the effort to ask (though it takes a while to get him to spit it out) is HUGE. I would have liked a brief nod to the "death" of Tim inspiring Jason to reach out to the only other brother that cares about him. I'd like to think that played into this some along with Artemis wanting them to get along due to her own loss.

I'm not sure why Dick tries to make excuses to not help right after Jason struggles with actually saying the words. Artemis calls it all B.S. as she thinks it's clear they want to work together. I think the implication is that both are awkward and Dick knows Jason is the brother he failed. Jason does get Dick back in a way as he introduces Dick as Flip Flop the acrobatic clown to the owner. I do like how Dick told Jason that being social is the way to work the case. It would nice if either of them were being social with the circus people when he says this. Dick's obviously not paying attention otherwise he'd notice Jason was bothered.

This is going to be a rant for a bit so sorry but this REALLY grated on my nerves. I don't like the Artemis and Dick stuff in this. I had picked up on the clues of her greeting, putting on lipstick (much to Bizarro's confusion) and laughing at a really bad joke to see it coming. Look I know Lobdell doesn't want to have Artemis get with Jason. He might just be messing with us but this random pairing is annoying whether it's serious or a joke. Artemis just gushes over Dick? What? It's really cringe worthy. I gotta say I didn't see Artemis liking Dick I kinda wanted her to be immune to his charms.

Wait, wait, wait. Dick asks Artemis if she's with Jason...after he spends all that time talking to her? When he decided to walk back with her to the trailer? When he heard how annoyed Jason was but ignored him? I'm having flashbacks to the first issue of the first RHATO but you know the difference? Roy wasn't seen hitting on Kori before she makes her move which happened when Jason wasn't around. Why? Roy assumed they were together until Kori told him otherwise. In neither case is Jason with the women in question but both Roy and Dick thought it was possible.

Roy made sure to respect boundaries until he was sure there wasn't a commitment and even after tries to make sure there were no hurt feelings. Dick ignores the actual mission sitting between Jason and Artemis to focus his attention on her. Do you see my problem with this? Roy wasn't even Jason's best friend at that point but he still had the common decency to ask before escorting the potential girlfriend. Yet Dick, who seems to be struggling to get on the same page as his somewhat estranged adopted brother doesn't think about this until they leave? What if she was? Sure it doesn't mean he'd go through with anything but he still would have alienated Jason possibly ruining both relationships Jason has with them. Not to mention the mission and the team. Their behavior (Artemis for how random it feels) and Dick only considering this as an afterthought just really pissed me off.

Whether or not Dick saw Artemis in a flirty way or as someone to voice his thoughts to regarding Jason is up to interpretation. I personally think it was the latter on my second read of the scene and possibly he wanted to ruffle Jason's feathers. Either way he still has a long way to go to be the kind of big brother to Jason that he is to Tim and Damian. Jason needs to hear the things Dick tells Artemis especially since he has serious doubts about his importance to the family. Even so I don't mind how this is written as long as Lobdell follows up on it at some point. I know no other writers won't bother to actually show character development with Jason much less his relationships. Sad but true. Anyway...

Artemis scoffs at the idea of Jason with anyone which is pretty mean. Dick says she's out of Jason's league which is a pretty jackass thing to say. Especially if you count the odd cameo Jason had in Nightwing when he gave Dick romantic advise. Given Roy's reaction when he thought Kori was with Jason, which was basically the same "out of your league" stuff, It's no wonder Jason has low self esteem.

When Bizarro has a crush on a girl it is more believable and sweet. Even if I'm not really sure where it will go. Angelique is afraid Bizarro will make fun of her like the others at the circus and reveals she has facial hair. This doesn't bother him and after introducing himself he says she's the most beautiful woman he's ever seen. While the kiss is sudden it doesn't feel out of place to me since he's probably the first person to be nice to her. I like how it's not even played for a laugh.

Lobdell has expanded and reused flashback scenes before. He did it with Kori first using her powers and the "Jason hides under the table" bits. Here he has Dick talk about the memory Jason had when he first saw Bizarro. Of returning home after going on a solo mission not going well and Jason dealing with the burden of being the Robin after Dick. I like that Dick has the insight to have noticed the pressure Jason was under and him not wanting to be someone he wasn't.

I always liked the idea of Jason having his own room in the manor but yeah I love the idea of Alfred just being lazy. (Though I doubt that helped with his issues of being Dick's replacement.) Jason crawling into bed then noticing Dick was in it and learning Alfred never bothered to give Jason a new room because it just meant cleaning another room. Dick admits Jason and him aren't exactly friends. He's not even sure that's possible anymore which is pretty much how Jason seems to feel. Their awkwardness at sharing a trailer and not knowing what to say is really well done. I think Jason was wondering if he should tell Dick about the "job" he was offered.

I do my best to say away from spoilers but the fact some fans got riled up over Jason seeing Dick perform when he was little like Tim did was brought to my attention. First and foremost Jason originally was a Grayson copy in his origin so making any connections (without going the Morrison route) is fine by me. Secondly how this affects them differs. Tim figures out Dick was Robin from his show as well as witnessing the Graysons deaths. Jason finds an escape to briefly live vicariously through someone with a better lot in life than him and there's no mentions of the deaths.

Small detail but I like how Dick simultaneous compliments and insults Jason at the same time while also coming off like it's an accident. He likes Jason's idea and bring up the fact the circus uses local talent and amateurs. Jason is a little sensitive and starts to defend himself suggesting he's not an amateur. Bruce and a lot of people compared Jason to Dick when he was Robin. All the time. A lot of writers tend to get it wrong and make it look like it was just that "Jason was jealous because Dick is so awesome." But Dick, well meaning or not, can be insensitive. Neither look bad they just have communication problems. Dick can and has been thoughtless.

Above I wrote my gut reaction while reading the parts with Dick and Artemis. While it can be interpreted differently either way it doesn't paint Dick in the best of lights. Sure he doesn't make a move on her per se (both seem more interested in talking about Jason) not even when she says she's not with Jason. But whether or not there is romantic interest between Jason and Artemis he still was a bit of an ass. Jason wanted him there for a mission and other than showing up for a fight at the last minute Dick doesn't contribute much. This is not a dig at the story choosing to focus on the characters more than action. Honestly the connection with Dick desperately needed to be explored properly.

No, Dick might have told Jason what to do but he didn't follow his own advise. Jason found a led while Dick talked with Artemis. Strictly speaking Dick didn't need to be there and once again failed Jason by not helping him out in his Intel. Yet Jason is there for Bizarro encouraging him in a romantic pursuit while Dick chats with the woman he thinks Jason might be with. He never even asks if Jason is at least interested in her. I'm glad Dick finally owed up to the fact he wasn't a good big brother to Jason. While Jason admits Dick tried I don't think Lobdell means in the original material but rather the flashback he showed in RHATO #6 Vol.1 when Dick tried to teach Jason. Which judging by Jason's "I'm listening Dick" he did see Dick making a little effort.

There's a great exploration of Jason's admiration and insecurity around Dick. Much like Morrison jumping the gun with bringing Jason back into the family I feel like Lobdell had to write around other writers shortcuts (suggesting they were close without explaining why) or being vague. I feel like the confirmation of that was Jason's short narration of : "we've made up since then." There are still issues between them which Dick even admit to although Artemis tells him not to let the past dictate their future. Her nod to her own loss basically underlining the fact she regrets losing her sister and doesn't want the same for them.

While Dick does have his faults in this he generally seems interested in Jason's friends and actually wears the clown suit for Jason with no complaint. I especially loved him admitting he did see the effort Jason put in and admired how Jason strived to be his own person. There's even an acknowledgement of Bruce trying to replace Dick which wasn't fair. For once Jason isn't painted as the problem child which I love. Dick does admit that Jason is such a hero that it's easy for him to forget Red Hood is supposed to be a bad guy. A vast improvement over Tomasi having Dick mutter about Jason having to prove himself.

Say What?: Jason brings up trying to kill Dick but I never saw that as something he'd seriously do. Yes he had issues with him but I tend to see their relationship has more complex. Maybe in the spur of the moment out of anger?

It's been speculated what Bizarro would call the bat family as their nicknames. I didn't expect Dick Man to be Nightwing's.

Jason's "message" to Dick was the longitude, latitude and a trailer number. I'm curious if he just does this with Dick.

Jason trying to get Dick to help by saying he likes the circus which gets Bizarro to wonder who doesn't like it and Artemis to comment about war being more fun. I just love how much these exchanges naturally flow into each other and what it says about the character.

As much as I hate the random Artemis and Dick stuff I love how annoyed Jason gets over it. Particularly when he mimes them telling each other to check out their muscles. It voices my own irritation and I like that he actually notes that Artemis has muscles too.

Artemis questioning Jason being with anyone while mean made me wonder if this a plot point. Not in the way some claimed a while back when they assumed Jason was asexual. Seriously he's not as we've seen with him and Isabel. No, I'm wondering if Jason is intentionally ignoring dating because he feels things will go south like they did with Isabel. Though the team hasn't been together long as Beast notes so maybe she just can't picture him with anyone.

A cute bit with Artemis asking if they were both orphans and Dick claiming they share a father. I know this would confuse some newcomers who assume this means their half brothers but Dick means their adoptive dad (Bruce Wayne/Batman) is their father. Which is far better than that B.S. other writers are shilling about Damian being the only son. This is the kind of acknowledgement fans have been wanting to see again for years.

It needs to be mentioned since I know many gloss over it (both writers and readers) but Jason did put effort into his school and time as Robin. I LOVE that Dick mentions the fact Jason studied all day. He was quite a student in his Robin days and did his best to train to be a crime fighter.

Bizarro refusing to be dragged into Jason and Artemis' argument. It's just gold.


Questions Raised?: Willis actually spent time with Jason at the circus? I mean he still stole the tickets but the fact he made the effort shows a different side to him. I love the way Lobdell build up these details about Jason life. Willis even looks happy as he watches Jason's reaction.

How did Jason get to the trailer before Dick did when he left before Jason did with the intention of going to sleep? Sure Dick talked with Artemis but they seemed to go straight there.

Would Batman blame Jason if Bizarro or Artemis took a life?

Does Artemis mean Akila when she mentions her "sister"? I mean Amazons call each other that in general but given the hints about them being a couple this makes the mention a tad awkward by relating it to their brotherly relationship.

When exactly does this Annual take place? It says before #12 likely because of what happened to Bizarro. This means Artemis actually met one of Jason's "brothers in arms" before their talk when he admits their not family in a way that matters to him. It also brings up some complications canon wise since the Outlaws were on a mission for the Bow of Ra which Artemis has in this issue. There was no time for them to do this circus mission once their actually going to Qurac to when Bizarro is hurt.

Disregarding the Bow of Ra I'd like to place this after Artemis tells her story to Jason in the bar since the next issue also has her letting Jason see her more vulnerable side. If the sister she mentions is Akila it still works as she previously died at Artemis' hands. Yeah they were dead set on going to Qurac but things already delayed them such as getting the shapeshifter. Anyway if Artemis is trolling Jason by showing interest in Dick it could be to get more information on Jason. Their discussions were pretty much devoted to focusing in on him and Jason himself isn't opening up. But I could see her wanting to learn more after she opened up to him. If you believe Artemis/Jason is going to happen then I guess you could say she was seeing how interested he was based on how jealous he'd get. I'll write more about her behavior at some point in another entry.


Did you notice?: Another new character design for Willis. A goatee in this version, I like it better than the long haired look. Little Jason has holes in the knees of his jeans. Seriously I adore this panel, it surprised me and became my favorite of the issue. Because it's such a sweet moment that you wouldn't expect from the Willis we previously saw under Lobdell. And Jason is actually happy as a kid which is rare.

Glad to see that there's an obvious age gap between Dick and Jason in the flashback.

Little Jason eating bread at the circus. I hate that meme the fanon has and this just adds fuel to that. I think they brought their own stuff from home. Jason doesn't appear to have anything between the bread slices and was picking bits off to eat. Given how poor they were this makes sense.

Dick has a different Flying Grayson uniform than the new 52 blue and white one. He's wearing the ASBAR one.

Jason sitting on tires is automatically great but seeing him encourage Bizarro is adorable. He's just so happy for the big guy and not prepared for him getting up.

Was Artemis using the Bow an art mistake?


*1 Tim gave Jason a program to hack into Luthor's company, which he's used at least twice without being caught. How this came about, as a gift or exchange isn't clear.