Over at Newsarama last week I wrote a short piece about how Justice League needs a rival of sorts in terms of sales and stature inside the DCU. Marvel has two big franchises with the Avengers and the X-Men, but for DC it’s Justice League or bust. Thinking about that further, I came up with a solution that could help DC branch out while still falling within the decades of continuity built up. It all centers around one intriguing and loaded idea:
What if the Justice League kicked Batman out?
Although currently operating outside the auspices of government in Justice League, what if Superman and Wonder Woman steer the team into being a U.N. sanctioned team. Think about that — do you think the U.N. would want Batman as part of it? Do you think Batman would reveal all that would be necessary to get that U.N. mandate? I don’t think so. Therefore, Batman relaunches the Outsiders.
The Concept:
Mixing Seven Samurai with The Bourne Identity, Batman could launch the Outsiders as an outgrowth of Batman, Inc. Frustrated at being left on the outside of the JL it could offer with a different mandate, while still toeing the heroic line Batman strives for — all the while trying to evade the Justice League. In essence, now Batman could create his own Justice League — and solve problems before they ever get started. Borrowing a page from both Uncanny X-Force and Wolverine & The X-Men, a new Batman & The Outsiders could be heroes taking a different approach to crimefighting — more in the vein of Batman.
As far as team make-up, I think it should be grown organically from Batman on up, recruiting a team Mission: Impossible style. At the top of my list would be Outsiders stalwart Metamorpho, and I’d also be high on Catwoman and the overlooked superhuman bouncer Grace. I’d also possibly look into bringing the Flashpoint namesake of the book, the Outsider, into the mix.
The Creators:
Writer/Artist: Leinil Yu & Gerry Alanguilan: DC has a long tradition of giving opportunities for comic artists to venture into writing, and that’s become a valuable commodity in today’s market. If I was DC, I’d lure Leinil Yu and his longtime inker Gerry Alanguilan over to their side with the chance to write their own series and have it be one of the biggest potential launches in 2013. Yu seems tailor-made to draw Batman, but for one reason or another he only drew a single one-shot during a four year tenure at DC in the early 00s. While it would be Yu’s first published writing, Alanguilan has written and drawn several books; and other artists with little writing experience like Francis Manapul have done great in the New 52.
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I’m all for this. DC needs to bring back the magic that made them great. Batman and the Outsiders would be to the Justice League as the X-Men is to the Avengers….
The New 52 has brought me back to (new) comics and this would make it even better.
Chris, you should work for DC.
Isn’t “StormWatch” that same idea?
Stormwatch is a watchdog against alien threats against earth. In their previous continuities some have been U.N.-sponsored, but that’s been changed for years Markavo.
But if the JLA kicked Batman out, who would deal with all the red tape?!?!
Barry Allen loves filling out forms
They’ll stick it on Martian Manhunter, like always.
why not use past outsiders with members of batman inc like batwing and nightwing.
I mentioned Metamorpho in the post, and I inferred Batman Inc. Maybe Wingman?
I think you’re thinking too small in terms of potential candidates. If you’re going to rival the Justice League. You have to RIVAL the Justice League. That means being able to take on Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern etc. While I agree with the stealthy aspect (DC desperately needs an Uncanny X-force), I still think you need some raw power on this team.
Isn’t that was Suicide Squad is supposed to be? Young Justice the TV show is closer to UXF than anything in the New52 though.
JohnDoe101: You have a good point.
I really like this idea. Batman doesn’t strike me as a character who plays wells with others in the JLA. He’s too much of a control freak. he doesn’t need teammates, he needs soldiers who will obey his commands without question. The JLA are basically treated as all being equals. batman NEEDS to be the boss. I never understood how he put up with all those other people on the team thinking they were all equals.
I would love to see a reboot of the Outsiders. Batman as the leader, with either Nightwing or Robin as his right hand man/leader in his absence. Metamorpho and Firestorm as the heavy hitters, and possibly Martian Manhunter. bring in Katana, Catwoman. Green Arrow for the tension with the leader (like Hawkeye used to be with Captain America.) Plastic Man for comic relief. I’d buy the Hell out of that book.
I’d be all over this. I’m going to say that we keep: Batman, Metamorpho, Black Lightning, and Looker. From there, I would recommend acquisitions from the other universes: Icon for the muscle (from Milestone), Backlash, and Zealot (both from Wildstorm, of course).
You sold me at Backlash. DC needs more ensemble books using the DC and Stormwatch pool of characters
There are WAY too many Bat books. How about an Outsiders book without Batman?
I’m down with that idea. Do the Outsiders NEED Batman? Why not have a new origin that doesn’t involve Batman at all.
An Outsiders book without Batman wouldn’t sell. There’s a reason he has so many books. If you get rid of him, you need to replace him with someone of the same pedigree. Wonder Woman and the Outsiders? Superman and the Outsiders? Green Lantern and the Outsiders? Flash and the Outsiders? I think the concept works strongest with Batman at the head. And with Batman Inc. already established, it’s an easy progression to make.
I like the idea of not having Batman at first, like they did in the outsiders reboot a few years back (which was awesome by the way) but reintroducing him at the end , having him stick around for a few issues, and then have it become Damian and the Outsiders.
could be legit. Damian is a bit of a loose cannon, perfect to head up a team (even if he is only 12)