In my reviews of Red Hood and the Outlaws, I have often compared the Outlaws to a charmingly pathetic version of the DC Trinity (Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman). With Red Hood’s status of being a failed Robin and Bizarro’s status as a failed Superman clone, only Artemis the Amazon seemed to be on the level of her counterpart. However, this issue is all about bringing Artemis down to the level of the boys. Which is, ultimately, a good thing for the character and this comic book.
Writer Scott Lobdell proves that Artemis is not on Wonder Woman’s level when Artemis describes the time the two of them faced off in combat and Wonder Woman absolutely dominated Artemis. It’s a humbling moment for the character, but I love it because it cements her place on Red Hood’s team. It makes her vulnerable in the right ways. It doesn’t make her subservient to a man, it makes her a character that is trying to do her best, but doesn’t always do her best.
Artist Kenneth Rockafort gives an intriguing depth to the entire story by playing up the homo-erotic nature of the Amazon society. Occasionally, the art dips into crass territory, but I think that giving Artemis a romantic history with her returned rival adds a depth to the story that I think makes the whole thing more compelling.
Score: 7 out of 10
