[net.comics] BATO and it's members

brad@umcp-cs.UUCP (02/01/84)

A friend recently asked me a question about Batman And The Outsiders that I
really couldn't answer, so I'm posting it to the net with the hope that it
will spark some discussion.

	Why is Metamorpho in the Outsiders?

He's always been a loner (going so far as to refuse membership in the JLA).
I don't think that it's simply because he can be near Dr. Jace (Who is
looking for a cure for him) because he could do that anywhere.

On the same note, why does Batman have this team.  Doesn't it contrast with
his "loner/creature of the night" image?  Perhaps he does like to be a
leader of sorts, or maybe he really does in some way need to be in a team
such as in JLA, The Brave and the Bold, or World's Finest.

Comments, flames, etc.??

				b**2
				brad@maryland
				brad%umcp-cs@CSNet-Relay
				{seismo, allegra}!umcp-cs!brad

ciaraldi@rochester.UUCP (Mike Ciaraldi) (02/02/84)

I agree that Batman does like to be a leader, especially
when he is also a mentor/father-figure.

You can see how he is different when around the new Robin,
less self-absorbed.

The Outsiders are mostly people who have been loners, but
many are also looking for emotional support.
In detail:

1) Halo has amnesia, and may even be an alien. This gives her
a way of getting into society.
2) Katana has a lot of hostility inside her, and some sort
of family problems, I gather.
3) Metamorpho is a loner in the sense of not joining the JLA,
but has always had a supportig cast who knew who he was.
Recent issues imply he has broken up with Sapphire Stagg and
her family, so he may be looking for com@panionship, too.
4) Black Lightning has gone through a crisis of not
really wanting his powers.
5) ?Geo-Force is a new super-hero, and wants to learn more
about his powers, etc. Besides, he is royalty at home, but
not the ruler, so he is somewhat redundant in Markovia.
Rather than fell underfoot, he can be useful in the US.

How's that?
Batman has the experience and connections to help these people
fit in, amnd besides, "team" books are IN this year.

Mike Ciaraldi
ciaraldi@rochester