Issue Three

By Barry Reese

"Outside the Lines" Part One

This series is written in honor of Mike W. Barr, who created the Outsiders.

OUTSIDERS ROLL-CALL

OUTSIDERS HQ, LOCATED BELOW THE MARKOVIAN PALACE

Tatsu crouched, watching her opponent circle her slowly. Jefferson Pierce was a skilled fighter, but undisciplined. He relied on his athleticism too much, not to mention on his uncanny ability to generate electricity. Letting out a sudden cry, Tatsu lunged forward, kicking Jeff hard in the side. The man known as Black Lightning tried to deflect the blow but it had come too suddenly for him to avoid.

With pain flaring in his hip, he tried to move back and regroup -- only to find that Katana would have none of that. She pressed the attack, offering us chops and kicks faster than he could block. With a final open fist assault to his chin, Katana sent Jeff to the padded floor.

Katana stood there for a moment, watching Jeff stare up at the ceiling. Then she offered him a hand, saying "You did better this time."

Accepting her help in rising from the floor, Jeff let out a sigh. "If you say so. We've been having these sessions ever since the team regrouped and I'm still getting my butt whupped."

"But you are lasting longer and that is something to build upon." Tatsu offered her friend a smile. "Truthfully, you could outfight 90% of the beings we normally encounter."

"Yeah, but it's the other 10% that worry me, Tatsu." Jeff led his teammate into the Outsiders' main meeting room, smiling as Rex Mason, aka Metamorpho, rolled by in the shape of a little red wagon. Rex's son was gleefully bouncing up and down in the back of the wagon. "Hi, Rex."

"Hiya, Jeff, Tatsu." The element man skidded to a stop and turned to face them, his face elongating out from the front of the wagon. "You guys seen my blushing bride?"

Jeff nodded, pointing upwards. "She and her dad were headed to the roof. I passed them on my way down here."

Rex made a face. "Ugh. I forgot that the Marine Marauder was stopping by today."

Tatsu waved a finger at Rex, adopting the same mothering tone she frequently used on Halo. "She no longer calls herself that! You had best get used to thinking of her as Marlene... If Simon does marry her, she'll be your mother-in-law!"

Rolling his eyes, Rex began to move away. "Don't remind me! That's all I need -- a super-villain in the family. Like we're not weird enough as it is!"

GREENWICH VILLAGE

Madame Xanadu ignored the fact that her candles were nearly extinguished, having burned themselves out. The brief flickers of light were more than enough to illuminate her cards....

The mystic had once beaten Death itself at cards, gaining immortality and a few minor occult abilities. She had never doubted herself then, knowing that she would come out on the other side of the conflict unscathed. Now, however, she felt the icy pangs of fear.

Ever since the night that Andrew Bennett had come to her, seeking advice on how to end his centuries-long torment, Madame Xanadu's life had been in turmoil. She'd directed him to Los Angeles and the heroine known as Looker, not knowing what would come of it. Two weeks after Bennett's visit, a package arrived, containing several pieces of parchment, upon which an ancient prophecy was written -- Bennett had found them and come to the conclusion that Xanadu's predictions were related. Unfortunately, he had been right.

The resurrection of the ancient being known as the Destroyer had led not only to Andrew's and Looker's deaths, it had annihilated all vampires from the Earth. The mystic community, including Xanadu, had felt the wave of death like a slap in the face -- even now, she had difficulty sleeping, the sounds of thousands of vampires dying at once echoing in her head.

"You still using those damned cards? I figured you'd have gone all medieval on us and dragged out the chicken bones by now."

Xanadu looked up from her work, a sardonic smile on her full lips. Faust, son of the feared Felix Faust, stood in the doorway to her study. He was dressed in tight jeans and a leather jacket, his eyes needlessly hidden behind sunglasses. "What do you want, little wizard?"

Faust sauntered into the room, looking cocky and sexy. Xanadu had to admit that the young man was exactly her type -- and he knew it. "Why are you doing this?"

"Reading fortunes is my calling...."

"Ha. Ha. Seriously. When the Eradicator came a-calling, I didn't expect him to bring me and Marissa to Greenwich Village... and I sure didn't expect that you'd rented out the flat next door to use as the headquarters for some weirded-out version of the Outsiders."

Xanadu leaned back in her chair, watching as Faust took a step across from her and set his boots on her desk. She hated arrogant men, she really did.

Really.

"I made a mistake not too long ago. Told a man who wanted to kill himself how to do it."

Faust shrugged. "And?"

"And it's going to lead to armageddon."

"Doesn't it always?"

Xanadu reached out and gave Faust's feet a push. "Get your shoes off my furniture. I'm serious, you little poser. Something called the Destroyer is loose -- every vampire in the world is dead."

"They were already d--"

"Give it a rest," Xanadu murmured. "Didn't you feel it a few weeks ago? Something like a flashbulb going off inside your mouth?"

Faust pondered it before nodding. "Yeah... Yeah, I noticed it." He leaned forward, seeming interested for the first time. "So you played a role in the Destroyer coming out to play, right? So you decide to form your own little hero group to go out and stop him... Understandable. But why us? Why not contact the real Outsiders? Or the freakin' J L of A?"

"Because the cards were very specific. This group we've assembled has experience working with one another... and they're all of questionable morals. That sort of malleable sense of right and wrong is going to be needed -- there might be call for bloodshed."

Faust reached out and touched her hand. "Then we're exactly what you need." Lowering his voice suggestively, he added "Don't you agree?"

Xanadu looked at him for a moment before replying. "If you feel up to it, I suppose.The bedroom's upstairs, second door on the right. I'll meet you there."

Rising, Faust grinned. "Sounds good. Let's go make some magic...."

God, she thought, I hate these cocky bastards. I really do.

MARKOVIA

Brion Markov stood at the head of the team's meeting table, allowing the pleasant conversation around him to dwindle to a close. Halo was still cuddling her new kitten, Tiger II, who was meowing and prancing about on the meeting room table. Black Lightning and Metamorpho were talking about Simon Stagg's upcoming nuptials, while Katana sat stone-faced with her arms crossed. Only the Batman was missing, which was not unusual. With his duties in Gotham and with the Justice League, he was rarely at routine meetings such as this.

"If I may have your attention, everyone?" Brion smiled warmly at his friends. It felt good to be with them. "As you know, we have several mysteries that are still awaiting answers. Lia Briggs is still missing, I'm afraid..." Brion saw several members of the team exchange worried glances, especially Halo. The young girl had been very close to their teammate, Looker. "But Dr. Moon is expected to come out of his coma any day now... and answers should be forthcoming then."

"Isn't there something more we could be doing? Is Bats on the case?" Metamorpho asked.

"He is, but we have to give him time. Even the Batman is only human."

"Tiger! No, that belongs to Brion... Bad kitty!"

Brion forced himself not to look at whatever the cat had gotten into. It's best not to know, he decided. "I've been in contact with Wonder Woman and informed her of Circe's recent involvement with the New Olympians. She's going to keep us updated. As for Zeus and his friends, they are currently under treatment at the Slab." Geo-Force paused, obviously hesitant about continuing.

"What's wrong, Brion?" Halo asked. She had retrieved the cat by now and was holding it tightly, trying to avoid its flailing claws. "Be still, Tiger!"

"Yeah, spit it out," Metamorpho said.

"My duties as monarch are increasingly difficult... and with the coming baby, Denise and I will be even busi--"

"A baby?" Tatsu blurted out, her eyes wide with surprise. "You and Denise are expecting? That's wonderful!"

"Yeah, way to go, big guy," Rex murmured with a chuckle.

Halo bounded into his arms suddenly, having flown across the table. Tiger squirmed between them. "Wowie-zowie! That's great! I'll be Aunt Gaby! That'll be soooooooo cool! I hope it's a girl!"

Brion laughed, separating himself from Gaby. "Thank you -- all of you."

Black Lightning shook his head, grinning. "We're gonna have to open up an Outsiders day care center around here."

Geo-Force's smile faded just a bit. "Well... I should get back to what I was saying before... with the baby coming, I think this is a good time for me to stand down as field commander of the team. With Batman's guiding our overall operations, I think we need someone in the field who can think quickly and strategically."

"Sounds like you have someone in mind," Katana offered.

"I do." Geo-Force locked eyes with Jefferson. "I think you should take the job, Jeff."

Not surprisingly, the hero shook his head in response. "We've been down this road before, Brion. I'm not interested."

"You would be wonderful," Tatsu prompted.

"Not interested."

"I'd follow you, pal." Metamorpho agreed.

"Not interested."

"C'mon, Jeff! It'd be fun!" Halo said, as Tiger tried to scurry off the table.

Black Lightning sagged in his chair. "I'm being drafted, aren't I?"

Brion shrugged. "Even the Batman approves."

"Rex, darling?" Sapphire Mason's voice filtered out through the communications console. "Daddy and Marlene are here."

Metamorpho placed a hand over his face. "Ugh. Finish off the celebrations without me, guys. It's time to meet the new in-law. Ugh."

GREENWICH VILLAGE

"You think this is a good idea, boss?" Charlie Wylde, a former bodyguard transformed into a half-man/half-bear, towered over his old employer but still acted with deference towards the man known as Technocrat.

Geoffrey Barron grunted before replying. The two of them were standing in the second-floor hallway of the rented building that served as the new team's headquarters, watching as Marissa Barron stood on a small balcony. Her back was to the both of them, but the gentle sway of her hips as she moved was all-too familiar. "I loved that woman, Charlie. Man, did I love her."

Wylde scratched at his fur uncomfortably. "I know, boss. But you got over that, right? Back when Halo was in Marissa's body, remember?"

"I remember... but this is Marissa. Not some simulation, but really her."

"Is it? I mean, how do you know? She doesn't remember nothin'. And even if she did remember -- heck, she tried to kill you the last time you met!"

Geoffrey stroked his salt-and-pepper beard thoughtfully. It was funny how close he and Charlie had become, considering all their differences. Charlie was white and moderately educated before his transformation -- and now he suffered from horrible personality shifts, altering between his human and bear persona. Geoffrey, on the other hand, was a veritable genius, a handsome and confident black man as comfortable in a board meeting as in front of a ball game. Geoffrey reached up and removed his helmet, holding it under one armored shoulder. "Wait here, Charlie."

Awkwardly, Technocrat approached his ex-wife. "Marissa?"

The beautiful brunette turned towards him, her face impassive. There was no sign of recognition in her eyes. "Yes?"

Sensing her confusion, Geoffrey tried to smile reassuringly. "It's me... Geoffrey. Your ex-husband."

"My... husband?" Marissa stammered. "I'm sorry... but I don't--"

"It's okay. I'll catch you up on things. I'll tell you all about us -- the good times, the bad...." Geoffrey reached out to touch her before he even realized it. Instead of warm flesh, however, his hand went right through Marissa's body. "What?"

Behind him he heard movement. Turning, he saw Marissa rounding the corner, her body sheated in a purple aura. "Damn. Nice move, romeo."

Outside the window, the young girl called Windfall hovered in the shadows. She felt sorry for Mr. Barron, who'd always seemed pretty nice, but she was more interested in how Marissa had used Halo's old distortion aura. Everybody else might believe you're suffering from amnesia, but I don't. Somehow you're Spectra, I just know it. But the only way I can prove is to contact Gaby and--

"What are you doing?"

Windfall nearly jumped out of her skin. She whirled about to see the Eradicator standing below her. "I... I was just... thinking."

The scarred visage of the Eradicator darkened for a moment. "You'll need to think later. I've found our quarry. Get the others."

"Our quarry? I don't think most of us even know who that is...."

The Eradicator's eyes flashed. "They call him the Destroyer."

LOS ANGELES

The music pulsed like a living thing, grabbing the patrons of the nightclub and pulling them along a path of decadence. Men and women rubbed against one another, plying their would-be lovers with alcohol and flattery.

For the Destroyer, it was breathtaking. The scent of courtship was so thick he could have extended his reptilian tongue and breathed it in deeply, languidly. Knowing his surroundings, however, he chose not to cause a scene.

Instead, he remained seated where he was, his handsome features drawing many appraising glances, from both men and women. He wore a handsome suit that he'd taken from a business earlier today, along with his identification and credit cards.

Beside him a strange creature stirred. At first glance, she appeared human but a closer inspection would have revealed that her skin seemed bunched in places and loose in others. She tugged on the skin of her right arm, pulling it tight around her fingers like one would stretch a pair of gloves. "This slut was the wrong size for me."

"She'll do for now. Where are the others?"

"Hunting on the dance floor. How much longer are we going to feed like this? We are Nar'stil! These mortals should not frighten us!"

"But they do, don't they?" the Destroyer asked. "Some of them in this era are powerful enough to destroy us. We must be quiet and observe." With a smile, the Destroyer nodded at his companion. "Be patient. Besides... I feel danger approaching. You will have time to test your combat skills soon enough. And I will get to see what it feels like to kill more of these 'superheroes'."

Next Issue: "Outside the Lines" continues as the Eradicator's team goes on the offensive, striking hard and fast at the Destroyer! Meanwhile, Gaby meets a boy! Ooooh!

AUTHOR'S NOTES

We've got a couple of reviews this month. First up is Des Davies:

I've never picked up many DC titles but I do remember picking up what must have been the first series of the Outsiders. I remember fondly the characters and the feel of those books and I have to say that Barry has drawn me in with this series. To be honest I was hooked from the first issue in B&B.

What do I like? Well, the characters for one and Barry does a great job of bringing them to the fore. Add to that the feeling of friendship that comes across and you instantly have an enjoyable read.

While that helps the title, it wouldn't be anywhere as good without the plots that have been woven throughout. I'm a big fan of multiple plotlines as it conveyes the feeling of a world going on around the heroes. I've lost track of the number of plots that are floating around through the five issues but it doesn't feel like too many. I'm particularly looking forward to finding out what's happening with the threat of the Destroyer and his kin. On the death of Looker. That came as a surprise but it also worked very well so no complaints.

In fact I have no complaints on any of these issues and do have to say thanks for an enjoyable hours reading.

Glad you're enjoying things, Des. The friendship between the team members is something that I always really enjoyed and I'm glad you appreciate the work I'm putting into that aspect of the series.

Next up is Bob "Goose" Gansler:

Barry keeps up the momentum from the Brave & Bold arc and continues to entertain.  Maxie and his New Olympians are perfect foils for the Outsiders.  (Did they really face off during the 1984 Olympics?  I remember buying that comic for my little brother.  Boy, am I feeling old)  Barry captures Batman perfectly.

I know what you mean, Bob. I bought BATO # 14-15 off the stands back during the summer of '84... 18 long years ago. I'm glad I brought back a few memories for you!

Keep reading folks -- Lots more interesting things to come.

Barry