The Trial of Batman - The Execution of Black Lightning

Batman and the Outsiders #10 - Pages 1-3
Now, I don't expect Geo-Force to be a master of the details, but in the previous issue, Black Lightning gave himself up to the Masters of Disaster to spare a large group of hostages. It was his decision, and he told Geo-Force this specifically. So of course, as we embark on Part 2 of this saga for the ages, GF is saying it's all Batman's fault. And touching the pimple on his chin.Dude, NEVER touch Batman's pimples.

It's a situation so awkwardly unearned that Halo has to step in. HALO! And GF slaps her down hard.
Yes, I think Batman can deny all of that.
Bats, man, what are you doing? At the close of issue 9, you clearly implied that you'd be after the Masters as soon as possible. I guess in calling a staff meeting so GF could hear himself speak, you did lose the initiative there, forcing you to abandon the hunt for Black Lightning. Hopefully you do remember him. The guy whose chair that is? Memories...
What WAS Batman's easiest decision? Dropping the JLA to invest in the Outsiders? Because that seemed like something he did without any effort or thought at all. But it was all for the best, right?
Ulp! There you go, the Outsiders were such a good idea, he's ready to sacrifice them all for the greater good. And himself. After a short hesitation. Have I ever mentioned Batman's management style may not be the warmest?
Halo has just now figured out that Bats is a pretty humorless dude, but that's fine by Katana whose obviously read Batman Earth One. Metamorpho, you're just throwing Japanese words out to impress your new lunch date, because really, Batman's a far cry from being suicidal. When his life is at stake, he always finds a way to survive the "sacrifice". That's what makes him Batman. Hopefully you guys will be good at doing that too, the day he sacrifices you.

It's the kind of talk that makes Geo-Force want to touch Batman on the eye. Or the nipple. Somebody should tell the Markovian Prince that it's not polite to point in America.
Oooh, throwing Batman's "for now" in his face! Sassy! Of course it doesn't help that Batman being incredibly callous. "We'll rescue him or avenge him. Either way. No biggie." I think Batman needs a lesson in communications. So here's one.

5 Better Things Batman Could Have Said at This Moment
-"He's my friend too. We'll get him back, don't worry."
-"The Masters are heading for Disaster, or my name isn't Batman!"
-"Are you forgetting that Black Lightning WANTED it this way?!"
-"Catch the episode of Community last night? That Abed cracks me up."
-"We're going to MacDonald's!"
But instead...
Geo-Force gets off with a warning, but really? That's how you want to run a team of like-minded adults (and Halo)? No wonder Dick doesn't call home much anymore.

Tomorrow: Chillin' with Lightning and the Disasters.

Comments

SallyP said…
As much as I find Batman to be a jerk, this only confirms my belief that Geo Force is a bigger one.

Jerk that is.
Austin Gorton said…
Moreover, Geo Force's "...for now!" response to Batman's "is that clear?" doesn't quite work the way I think Geo Force means it to work. He's threatening Batman that at some point in the future, he'll lose sight of the objectives?

While that's more than likely to happen, it isn't exactly the threat Geo Force means it to be.

I also love that the Outsiders meeting place is just a dark room. No background details, no defining features, just the team sitting around an illuminated table, surrounded by darkness.
Siskoid said…
Not unlike their character backgrounds.