Batman and the Outsiders #4
Published and © by DC, November 1983

Title: “One-Man Meltdown”
Synopsis: The Outsiders continue to settle into their new lives in Gotham – at least until Ned “Meltdown” Creegan escapes from prison.

Writer: Mike W. Barr
Artist: Jim Aparo

Review: Writer Mike W. Barr continues with the slow build, taking time to develop individual characters and their relationships with one another. For the most part, his characterization is strong (though the Katana/Halo relationship feels a bit forced this time out), resulting in a team readers can easily connect with. It also helps that Barr keeps Batman front and center; the writer has a great feel for the Dark Knight, and it’s fun to see the Outsiders through Batman’s eyes. Top it off with solid art from the always-dependable Jim Aparo, and BatO is on its way to being a winner.

Grade: B+

Cool factor: This done-in-one adventure is full of character moments; it’s amazing how much writers could pack into a single Bronze Age comic.

Notable: According to a note from Mike W. Barr on this issue’s “Inside the Outsiders” letters page, this story was actually a quickly thrown together fill-in, when the crossover with the Teen Titans (published in BatO #5 [see review]) was pushed back a month. It’s a pretty strong issue, considering!
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 75¢ Canadian variant of this issue. … According to MyComicShop.com, there is also a Mark Jewelers variant.

Character quotable: “For a warrior, there may not be a ‘next time.’ ” – Katana, again showing off her exceptional maternal instinct

Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Comics Bronze Age on Jan. 22, 2010.