Red Hood Outlaw #39 Review

Words: Scott Lobdell

Art: Keneth Rocafort

Colors: Steve Firchow

Letters: ALW’s Troy Peteri

Published by: DC

After a pretty interesting previous issue, Red Hood Outlaw sees the conclusion of the first mission for Red Hood’s new team of recruits at S.T.A.R. Labs. I have to admit that when I read the previous issue, I was intrigued by the notion of a character like Red Hood becoming a defacto teacher to a group hand picked by Lex Luthor and that sentiment continues in this issue. 

Unlike the previous issue, this month Lobdell keeps the fighting to a minimum and only really expands on one of the new characters - Cloud 9. The rest, including to a certain extent Red Hood, are relegated to the background as we learn a little more about Cloud 9’s power set and how they affect her. It’s an interesting choice by Lobdell as it seems to put some limits on the character and how powerful she becomes and is definitely something that can be explored in further issues. 

The other part of the issue revolves around Red Hood’s old group of Bizarro and Artemis and their plight to escape a “micro-universe” and return home. Not spoiling much, but they end up back on Earth at the end of the issue just in time to spot something in the sky (and for those who are current readers of DC, you’ll know what I mean). 

Rocafort and Firchow continue to bring the excitement to the visuals as only they can. Rocafort has such a unique style that it makes reading any book that he is on a joy. Couple that with Firchow’s complimentary colors to the line-work and inks make for a visually pleasing read.