Review: Detective Comics Vol. 8- On the Outside

Quick Summary

Pros: The main storyline has plenty of suspense. Most of the volume’s characters are great and the formation of the Outsiders is exciting. The artwork is positive throughout the collection.

Cons: Batgirl’s role in this volume is disappointing. Some of the plot points feel pretty generic.

Overall: This volume has a mix of positives that give it somewhat limited appeal. Suspense and excitement are balanced out by a few lackluster plot points to create a distinctly average story. However, most of the characters are fun to see and their presence works as an entirely worthwhile prelude to a Batman and the Outsiders series. Overall, this volume is for fans looking to see how the latest version of the Outsiders got its start, not those simply looking for a good, standalone story.

Story

Detective Comics Vol. 8: On the Outside, by Bryan Hill, is a partially standalone story arc that fills in a point of transition for the Detective Comics series. It centers around a moderately tense and interesting fight against a powerful new villain. This fight has plenty of exciting moments and maintains a solid level of suspense throughout. However, not all of the characters are used in the best way and a few of the plot points are stale. Outside of the action through, this volume also creates the Outsiders team, which brings several cool characters to the forefront and promises more in the future. In this way, this collection is alright as a solo read but much better as an introduction to the Outsiders.

(spoilers start here)

On the Outside has Batman and a few of his allies fighting against a villain with the ability to read minds and who uses this ability to augment his fighting. His goal is to take down Batman’s allies and turn the Dark Knight into a remorseless machine of vengeance, rather than a crimefighter bent on redemption.

As a central storyline, this creates a good amount of tension and intrigue. The villain immediately establishes himself as a formidable opponent by easily dispatching Batman’s allies and nearly defeating Batman himself. From this point, the threat he poses and the Bat-family’s desperation in catching him create plenty of suspense.

However, some elements of this central narrative are underwhelming. Batgirl contributes far less to this book than one would expect, especially given her status as one of Batman’s oldest and most experienced allies. Plus, the book falls back on several Batman tropes that come across a bit stale, like having a minor criminal come back as a serious threat or having Batman use his emotional pain to destroy his enemy. These points undercut the work and prevent it from being an entirely worthwhile standalone story.

On the Outside also serves as an introduction to the Outsiders and their current mission. In this way, the book is more universally positive. Black Lightning shines throughout the volume as the Bat-family’s most recent new addition. Meanwhile, the inclusion of Orphan and the Signal hints at greatness in the future. Even the narrative bringing this team together hints at a far more serious threat in their future, one I’m looking forward to seeing develop.

(spoilers end here)

Art

The quality of the artwork in On the Outside is positive and maintains the good level of quality seen throughout the series. Both Miguel Mendonça and Philippe Briones put in some energetic and engaging work in the main storyline. It makes the suspense and tension come across clearly and also allows for several spotlight moments on individual heroes. Meanwhile, Sebastian Fiumara’s work on the Deacon Blackfire chapter captures the horror and darkness of that particular story. All in all, the visuals here look good and are a great fit for the work as a whole.

Continuity

Detective Comics Vol. 8: On the Outside continues the story from Detective Comics Vol. 7: Batmen Eternal (Review).

The Detective Comics series continues in Detective Comics Vol. 9: Deface the Face (Review). The story of the Outsiders continues in Batman and the Outsiders Vol. 1: Lesser Gods.

This volume also references and continues the stories from other comic books, detailed below:

• Black Lightning’s past mission for Batman is alluded to. This past mission is first brought up in Dark Days: The Forge, collected in Dark Days: The Road to Metal (Review) (Reading Order).
• Brainiac’s recent attack is brought up. This attack happened in Justice League: No Justice (Review) (Reading Order).
• Deacon Blackfire was destroyed by the Spector back in the Batman Eternal (Review) series.