Red Hood Outlaw #50
DC Comics
Written by: Scott Lobdell
Art by: Paolo Pantalena
Colors by: Arif Prianto
Letters by: Troy Peteri
It’s too bad the end of Scott Lobdell’s run with Red Hood couldn’t have gone better. The majority of his time writing the character was good. Even though the title had a few moments after Generation Outlaw, it was abundantly clear the well had run dry.
Red Hood Outlaw #50 is all about transition and, as pointed out on Dexter Soy’s amazing cover, the end of the “Outlaw Era.”
As much as Red Hood can be an amazing character on his own, it’s weird to think he won’t have a pair of outcasts watching his back. His bonds with Arsenal, Starfire, Artemis and Bizarro were what carried the story when Red Hood & The Outlaws was at its best — even when arcs weren’t necessarily focused on their relationships.
Wouldn’t have minded if Paolo Pantalena stayed on the title for Red Hood #51 and #52, but it appears that won’t be the case. Hopefully, this new team handles these next two issues heading into DC Future State.
(WARNING: Spoilers for Red Hood Outlaw #50 ahead.)
Everything with Joker’s daughter felt forced. Never cared much for Joker’s daughter, personally. The idea for the character wasn’t bad, she just didn’t seem to fit right. To some extent, that’s the point — I realize that. But for some reason, embracing the character was difficult.
Also, for all the procrastinating that’s been done with Red Hood Outlaw, they totally missed out on the one promising storyline they still had left: Jason and Artemis’ relationship. That’s not to say things needed to be defined. It just wasn’t played out enough after her and Bizarro’s return.
It’s too bad the story itself hasn’t been more compelling since Pantalena came on. He’s done well — probably would’ve been a better fit when Red Hood’s look was first re-designed.