HUNDRED WORD HIT #100 - OUTSIDERS ANNUAL #1
We’re back to the 80’s as we hit the 100 100 Word Hit Anniversary and we’ve allowed double the words for this landmark event!
Outsiders Annual #1 by Mike W. Barr & Kevin Nowlan
Secret organisations, mind control and nukes these were the staples of 80’s thrillers and this annual has the lot. Simon Pons of SKULL has managed to clone the nervous system of Lord Kobra in an unsuspecting victim called George. Whatever happens to George happens in turn to Lord Kobra, effectively rendering him hostage to Pons in his own body.
Kobra is tasked with stealing some nukes for SKULL, not before he sends a psi-message to Looker and the Outsiders rush to the protect the nukes. Disguising themselves in Army uniforms (yes it was that easy in the 80s) the arrive too late and Kobra has the nukes.
Kobra and Pons fall out and their forces fight. The Outsiders get largely stuck in the middle, but seem to fancy Kobra over SKULL.
Batman is bit part player in all this, but according to Barr’s column at the end, Nowlan wanted to draw him so Barr wrote him in, and boy does Nowlan deliver a stunning Batman. In fact this annual is classic Nowlan and his art is simply stunning with some superb facial expressions especially the panels featuring Lord Kobra who just looks bonkers mad! A total fun read!
Rating 8.5 out of 10
