Batman & the Outsiders #16

The story 16 issues in the making finally arrives as the Outsiders face Ra's al Ghul who plans to unleash his new weapon on the world. In "The Demon's Fire, Finale," Batman leads the Outsiders into battle but it's two of the team's members who steal the show. First, Orphan mops the floor with the League of Assassins and Black Lightning flexes his enhanced powers against the Demon's Head who offers Jefferson the opportunity to be a hero to a greater world.

I don't know that any payoff would be worth such a wait, but Batman & the Outsiders #16 does deliver the conflict teased since the launch of the series. The real question, now that Ra's has been beaten (for now), is what happens to the Outsiders?

Batman admits to Lady Shiva that her daughter deserves better, but what is that? Just how powerful is Black Lightning now? What happens to Sofia Ramos and the rest of the heroes? These are a few of the questions left to be answered in next month's issue.

[DC, $3.99]

• Title: Batman & the Outsiders #16
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Bryan Edward Hill
• Artist: Dexter Soy