History Comicbook / BatmanAndTheOutsiders

In August 2003, a new version of The Outsiders was launched, now led first by ComicBook/{{Nightwing}} (Batman's former protege Robin) and then by Arsenal (Speedy, ComicBook/GreenArrow's ex-partner) and Jade (ComicBook/GreenLantern Alan Scott's daughter, former GL for a while and an ex-ComicBook/InfinityInc). This version wasn't as popular as the first, and has something of a reputation for being composed of "heroes currently not being used by the League or the Titans" sort of like Marvel's ''ComicBook/TheDefenders''. Despite this, it went on to be the longest-running ''Outsiders'' title to date, making it to 50 issues up to November 2007 before being relaunched.

* ThouShallNotKill: Subverted with Katana, although most of the time it was in self-defense. Ironically Batman was OK with this, as editorial were not militant in Batman being a nazi about never allowing villains to be killed off.

In August 2003, a new version of The Outsiders was launched, now led first by ComicBook/{{Nightwing}} (Batman's former protege Robin) and then by Arsenal (Speedy, ComicBook/GreenArrow's ex-partner). This version wasn't as popular as the first, and has something of a reputation for being composed of "heroes currently not being used by the League or the Titans" sort of like Marvel's ComicBook/TheDefenders. Despite this, it went on to be the longest-running ''Outsiders'' title to date, making it to 50 issues up to November 2007 before being relaunched.

A teenage version of The Outsiders (initially featuring only Black Lightning, Metamorpho and Katana) appeared in a few episodes of the cartoon version of ''[[WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold The Brave and the Bold]]''. A later episode added Geo-Force and Halo to the roster and showed Black Lightning and Katana in their traditional costumes. The Outsiders are also formed in the final episode of ''WesternAnimation/BewareTheBatman'', consisting of Batman, Katana, Alfred, Oracle, Metamorpho, and Man-Bat.

* BatmanGambit: [[spoiler: It's revealed by issue 40 that the reason why Deathstroke had been masquerading as Batman and feeding intel to the Outsiders was because the villains they were taking down had plans that were in conflict with the Secret Society. THEN it turns out this was actually a plan by Dr Sivana who had joined the Society specifically in return to set up his own plan]]
* BigBad: [[spoiler: The overarching villain of the 2003 series turns out to be Dr Sivana, who's been orchestrating most of the series events from behind the scenes]]

* EnergyBeings: part of [[spoiler:Halo's origin. She was actually such a being trapped in human form.]]

* EvilLuddite: An interesting version. [[spoiler: Dr Sivana's grand plan, specifically named after Ned Ludd, turns out to be to destroy all technology on Earth with a device that will also wipe the memories of every intelligent being on the planet, leaving them all blank slates for him to mold and rebuild in his own image, and let him shape a new technological foundation]]

* TheMole [[spoiler:Brainiac 8]] in the Nightwing incarnation.

* SceneryCensor: A scene involving a nude Batgirl.

** Similarly evoked during Crisis On Infinite Earths; when Geo-Force, Blue Beetle, and Doctor Polaris are sent back in time by the Monitor, to when Nazis occupied Markovia, Geo-Force tells Doctor Polaris that he can kill the Nazis attacking the three heroes and even joins in.

A short lived relaunch had Geo-Force looking for heroes to defend Markovia against a vampire lord. These included Superman's AntiHeroSubstitute '''[[ComicBook/TheDeathOfSuperman the Eradicator]]''', and the magic-user '''Faust''', [[RedeemingReplacement son of Felix Faust]]. Over the course of their first story Looker became a vampire, which is now seen as her status quo. They were also joined by '''Technocrat''', another PoweredArmor guy. This version lasted for 24 issues (November, 1993-November, 1995).

* SoulCuttingBlade: Katana's sword.

* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: Geo-Force.

* FollowTheLeader: Owlman was added to the team around the time that DC's parent company released a movie adaptation of ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'', and his costume bears a strong resemblance to Dan Dreiberg's Nite-Owl costume in the film.

* FollowTheLeader: Owlman was added to the team around the time that DC's parent company released a movie adaptation of ''ComicBook/{{Watchman}}'', and his costume bears a strong resemblance to Dan Dreiberg's Nite-Owl costume in the film.

In 2003, a new version of The Outsiders was launched, now led first by ComicBook/{{Nightwing}} (Batman's former protege Robin) and then by Arsenal (Speedy, ComicBook/GreenArrow's ex-partner). This version wasn't as popular as the first, and has something of a reputation for being composed of "heroes currently not being used by the League or the Titans" sort of like Marvel's ComicBook/TheDefenders. Despite this, it went on to be the longest-running ''Outsiders'' title to date, making it to 50 issues before being relaunched. Lasting from August, 2003 to November, 2007.

'''The Outsiders''' (not to be confused with [[TheOutsiders the novel of the same name]]) are a DCComics superhero team that has starred in its own comic book series several times. The group is best known as "Batman's own superhero team" since he formed it, though he's no longer a regular member.

(Comicbook/BlackLightning and ComicBook/{{Metamorpho}} were already established characters; {{Katana}} and the others were introduced in that story.)

A short lived relaunch had Geo-Force looking for heroes to defend Markovia against a vampire lord. These included Superman's AntiHeroSubstitute '''[[TheDeathOfSuperman the Eradicator]]''', and the magic-user '''Faust''', [[RedeemingReplacement son of Felix Faust]]. Over the course of their first story Looker became a vampire, which is now seen as her status quo. They were also joined by '''Technocrat''', another PoweredArmor guy. This version lasted for 24 issues (November, 1993-November, 1995).

In 2003, a new version of The Outsiders was launched, now led first by {{Nightwing}} (Batman's former protege Robin) and then by Arsenal (Speedy, GreenArrow's ex-partner.) This version hasn't been as popular as the first, and has something of a reputation for being composed of "heroes currently not being used by the League or the Titans" sort of like Marvel's ComicBook/TheDefenders. Despite this, it went on to be the longest-running ''Outsiders'' title to date, making it to 50 issues before being relaunched. Lasting from August, 2003 to November, 2007.

This version got two new directions in rapid succession, when Batman first recreated them as an "undercover" team that would be seen as borderline villains (a reflection on [[NiceJobBreakingItHero how successful the previous version had been]]), and then promptly [[FinalCrisis disappeared]], leaving Alfred Pennyworth to reassemble the original lineup, plus '''ComicBook/TheCreeper''' and '''Owlman''' (not the MirrorUniverse version, but a minor Gotham City detective wearing the same costume).

This version of the team then broke in half in the wake of ''BlackestNight'', when Geo-Force started treating them as Markovian special forces. Black Lightning, Metamorpho, Owlman and the Creeper split off, leaving Geo-Force, Katana, and Halo. When Markovia signed a non-aggression pact with New Krypton, they were joined by a new version of the Eradicator, while Black Lightning's team were joined by the bruiser '''Freight Train'''. The Markovian team is later bolstered by Looker and '''[[WonderWoman the Olympian]]'''.

In that story, Batman is angry at the JusticeLeague for refusing to help him rescue his friend, Lucius Fox, from being caught in the middle of a military coup in the European nation of Markovia (because they didn't want to start an international incident). He quits the team and goes alone, ending up running into various other heroes while there, including:

** In recent issues, Geo-Force became increasingly warlike and distant, seemingly viewing the team as an adjunct to the Markovian military, until Black Lightning finally snapped.

The team disbanded when the series was canceled, not before Halo recovered her memories and Katana got her revenge, though. Under the original name they lasted for 32 issues (August, 1983-April, 1986). As simply Outsiders, they had another 28 issues (November, 1985-February, 1988).

* TheDitz: Halo. Justified in that she had a childlike innocence about life. (It did bring UnfortunateImplications since she was blond.)

A teenage version of The Outsiders (initially featuring only Black Lightning, Metamorpho and Katana) appeared in a few episodes of the cartoon version of ''[[WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold The Brave and the Bold]]''. A later episode added Geo-Force and Halo to the roster and showed Black Lightning and Katana in their traditional costumes.

** Similarly evoked during Crisis On Infinite Earths; when Geo-Force, Blue Beetle, and Doctor Polaris are sent back in time by the Monitor, to when Nazis occupied Markovia, Geo-Force tells Doctor Polaris that he can kill the Nazis attacking the three heroes and even joins in.

* WhatTheHellHero: In recent issues, Geo-Force became increasingly warlike and distant, seemingly viewing the team as an adjunct to the Markovian military, until Black Lightning finally snapped.

* KeepCirculatingTheTapes: Due to royalty issues, only the first 18 issues of the 80s era Outsiders incarnation have been collected, in the Showcase Presents line.

This version got two new directions in rapid succession, when Batman first recreated them as an "undercover" team that would be seen as borderline villains (a reflection on [[NiceJobBreakingItHero how successful the previous version had been]]), and then promptly [[FinalCrisis disappeared]], leaving Alfred Pennyworth to reassemble the original lineup, plus '''TheCreeper''' and '''Owlman''' (not the MirrorUniverse version, but a minor Gotham City detective wearing the same costume).

In 2003, a new version of The Outsiders was launched, now led first by {{Nightwing}} (Batman's former protege Robin) and then by Arsenal (Speedy, GreenArrow's ex-partner.) This version hasn't been as popular as the first, and has something of a reputation for being composed of "heroes currently not being used by the League or the Titans" sort of like Marvel's TheDefenders. Despite this, it went on to be the longest-running ''Outsiders'' title to date, making it to 50 issues before being relaunched. Lasting from August, 2003 to November, 2007.

* '''Black Lightning''', a black superhero with electrical powers;
* '''Metamorpho''', an [[HiredGuns adventurer]] transformed into a chemical shapeshifting creature by an ancient artifact;
* '''Geo-Force''', the rightful prince of Markovia (and brother of Terra from ComicBook/TeenTitans) who gained the ability to manipulate the energies of the Earth (unlike his sister, who manipulates the earth itself) from an experiment;
* '''Katana''', a female samurai wielding a cursed sword (it steals souls) on a mission of revenge against the man who killed her family; Batman saved her life so she feels indebted to him.