129 Red Hood And The Outlaws Vol 2: Who Is Artemis?

I'm sure I've said this before.  Scott Lobdell is far from my favorite writer.  I enjoyed him back in the 90s, but his recent output has left me really cold.  Except this series.  The first volume was highly recommended to me, so I read it and I actually liked it a lot.  The same with the second volume.  Though I liked the first one better, this one is nothing to sneeze about.  Scott has a cast of characters that doesn't seem like would work together, but it surprisingly does.

This volume is mostly about Artemis' back story.  I wish they held off just a little longer telling it until they get Wonder Woman's current back story all straightened out because Artemis' story hinges somewhat on Wonder Woman's.  But they didn't wait.

I hate that we have to get a new back story for Artemis.  She was a character I didn't much care for when she first appeared, but I grew to love over time.  We're starting at square one with her again.  I hope they don't fuck this up.

Red Hood And The Outlaws Vol 2: Who Is Artemis?

Writer: Scott Lobdell

Artist: Dexter Soy, Mirko Colak, Tom Derenick, Kenneth Rocafort

DC Comics

080 Red Hood And The Outlaws Vol 1: Dark Trinity

I'd like to start this post by publicly stating that I think all the work Scott Lobdell has done for DC since the New 52 started has been shit.  Awful.  Terrible.  But DC seems to love him.  He's constantly working.  I'd also like to state for the record that I had no intention of reading this book.  Mostly for the above stated reason.  But I was told to actually give this one a chance.  So I did.  I went in open minded.  And I will admit, I really liked this book.  I have tried reading Red Hood in the past and it was garbage, so I don't know if the bar was set really low or if this was actually really good.

The story starts with Red Hood out on his own.  He's about to try to infiltrate the Black Mask's criminal empire in an attempt to bring him down.  Along the way, his path crosses with Artemis (possibly her first post New 52 appearance?) as they are both hunting down things that bring them together.  And then the two of them come across Bizarro.  It all feels fairly organic in nature and makes sense.  They bring the Black Mask down and decide to stick together for the time being.  They make an oddball team, but it seems to work for them.

Red Hood And The Outlaws Vol 1: Dark Trinity

Writer: Scott Lobdell

Artist: Dexter Soy

DC Comics