Outsiders #67is written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly. Artwork is by Robert Carey, colours by Valentina Taddeo and letters by Tom Napolitano. The book is published by DC. Main cover art (left) is by Roger Cruz and Adriano Lucas.
Outsiders #7 is available now, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
[TITLE REDACTED] A requiem is held for a fallen friend. The Guide is opened, and the truth of the world is revealed.
Review
Time for Drummer to come clean in what is easily the single-most explosive and meta issue that DC has released in years. The commentary that Lanzing and Kelly are providing on the complexity of contemporary multiverse storytelling, picking up on elements of the Wildstorm universe, is as exquisite as it is mind boggling. These are two writers single-handedly re-writing the rulebook in the most provocative and enthralling way.
Following on from the reveal of Drummer’s true identity last month, issue #7 picks up in the dying moments of the original Wildstorm Universe. We’ve barely cracked the cover when Lanzing and Kelly drop their first bombshell, Outsiders appears at least in part a following up to the critically acclaimed Planetary book by Warren Ellis and John Cassaday. Jakita Wagner – the true identity of Drummer – was an integral part of that series and so adding that connective tissue between these stories is important to keeping the Planetary legacy alive. Of particular importance here is seeing Jakita’s world come crashing down around her (thanks to The Flash?) as an energy wave seemingly destroys her universe.
Is your head already spinning? Well prepare yourselves for the next incredible bombshell. Jakita awakes in a strange unknown place. It’s quickly established that she’s landed in none other than the New 52 era of DC storytelling. The meta commentary is neatly baked in to the DNA of the story. Jakita’s confusion at this new and unknown universe reflects the experience of many long-time readers as DC entered a new phase in storytelling. The sense of loss she feels for her own universe aptly reflects the grief many felt as decades of storytelling was set aside for what would become the next five years of DC books. The meta hits keep on coming as Jakita learns about both Convergence and Rebirth on her way to a greater understanding of the Omniverse.
Jakita’s grief and confusion are communicated perfectly through the narration in this issue. There’s little dialogue outside of the opening scene. Instead Lanzing and Kelly are placing us directly in Jakita’s shoes to experience the pain and confusion of reboot after reboot of the universe first hand. It all comes to a head when she discovers there’s another out there experiencing the universal changes. It’s the final meta bullet in the Lanzing and Kelly’s very solo outing this month. Someone is watching. Likely us. Someone is also masterminding the stories and changes in the universe. In this case DC. It’s all a master plan but nothing is ever truly gone. Just pull the dusty old book off your shelf and those classic stories are as alive now as they were year ago.
There’s just enough room to bring in Batwoman and Luke at the end of issue #7 to get some of their reaction. Of course Luke takes the revelations in his stride, that is the job they’re here to do after all. Kate is typically angsty, throwing her future with the team in to doubt. One thing which isn’t in doubt however is just how impressive this story and this series has become.
Verdict
Outsiders #7 is blockbuster stuff. An incredible story which just keeps dropping gut-wrenching reveal after reveal as Drummer finally comes clean about her past and her identity.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
