[NOTE OF THE OWLS: This issue fits in between BATGIRL #9 and BIRDS OF PREY #9, but it's not gonna be the end of the world if you read BIRDS first (or not at all.)] I haven't read RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS for months - not for any particular reason. I just haven't. Maybe it's because the writing's iffy. Because it really is. The Outlaws (does anyone actually call them that?) are in Gotham for reasons that I'm not familiar with, nor does it really matter, I guess. They heed Alfred's call and head to intercept the Talon who's going after Victor Fries, of all people. You'd think that, given the Talons' weakness to extreme cold, going after the best-known ice villain in comics history would be a Bad Idea. But apparently this Talon doesn't have to deal with that problem. It isn't mentioned. The solution to their Talon problem, given that cold is apparently not an option for no reason, is...stupid. It just is. The script is fine - amusing, with some good character in the dialogue - but the plot is pretty poor. The art is a better point. I've always liked the layouts in RED HOOD, and at this point the series doesn't seem to force Kori into a pinup stance every few pages. I don't remember that being an issue beyond the first issue or two, really. I find the look of RED HOOD really good and interesting, and there's some worthy set pieces in this issue. It's too bad that the story isn't equally competent.