The Outsiders continue exploring the weird and wild underbelly of the DC Universe the best they can. This time, Drummer takes the lead in the investigation of worldwide phenomenon surrounding a new metahuman. Rather than focus on the team's perspective, Kelly and Lanzing take readers through the life of a troubled twenty-something. Let's take a look!

London Calling

Much like the previous issues, each adventure thematically deals with the turn of the century. In this case, Kelly and Lanzing focus on a young girl named Jenny Cressi with no control over her abilities. This "Jenny" is the newest incarnation of Wildstorm's Jenny Sparks from The Authority/Stormwatch in the DCU. Usually, the spirit of the century is born at the turn of the century and has abilities relative to the times. In Warren Ellis' The Authority, Jenny Sparks becomes the leader and founder of the team. Now that more Wildstorm characters like Grifter in Batman, Hawksmoor in City Boy, Zealot in Birds of Prey, the return of Stormwatch in Batman: Urban Legends, and now Drummer in Outsiders, this inclusion doesn't surprise me. In fact, Outsiders foreshadows Jenny Sparks more than anything else.

Her story is complex, but straightforward. Since the night of her birth, the events of her life have affected the world. For example, her first cries influence Y2K, her anxiety causes floods, and her unsuccessful childhood crushes crashes the stock market. Slowly, Jenny begins to sense that her life reflects the state of the world. As a result, Jenny spends much of her later teens living in such a way to avoid harming others. For the most part, after some training and some alone time, Jenny masters her abilities. However, it isn't long before another failed relationship becomes the force majeure needed to interrupt her short lived peace.

Jenny Crisis

Drummer looks more suspicious with every issue and Batwoman knows it. Even though Drummer suggests searching for Jenny, she withholds the truth of what she knows about her. When Batwing and Batwoman confront Jenny, she runs out of fear. Strangely, she comments about how Bat-people don't come to London, but she seems to forget London has a Knight and Squire for quite some time. Before the heroes can catch her, Drummer manages to have a private conversation with Jenny. As suspected, Drummer knows way more about Jenny's true identity than she lets on and offers to team up with her. Unfortunately, Jenny not only hates superheroes, but feels entitled to do what she wants with her abilities, eventually claiming the moniker "Jenny Crisis."

Robert Carey's art seems to be improving issue to issue. There are some very cool choices in the depiction of Jenny's powers in a few panels. For instance, every time she freaks out, her eyes swell with red thunderclouds. Although, it is slightly unclear if other people can see this or what they can do. Still, the ugly typography over the parchment paper representing Drummer's thoughts continues to plague the series. Luckily, the arrangement of those narrative excerpts are better than previous issues. Lastly, Jenny Crisis' hero-like outfit is pretty cool, although I can't figure out why she would be wearing one.

Recommended If...

• You are a fan of Wildstorm comics!
• You don't mind Outsiders' format.
• Keeping an open mind with the Dark Multiverse stuff.

Overall

Overall, Wildstorm seems to be making a big comeback. Whether Drummer's suspicious behavior is leading to a betrayal is unclear, but the Outsiders are oblivious to what they know. Furthermore, Jenny Crisis will garner mixed reactions from readers. Her story is fairly intriguing, even if she won't ultimately join the series. Despite being one of the strongest issues so far, Outsiders' monster of the week format isn't doing the series any favors right now. In fact, I think the book could benefit from a bit more connectivity opposed to the feeling of randomness. Or at least do more exploration and discovery.

Score: 6/10

DISCLAIMER: DC Comics provided Batman News with a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review.