Outsiders

When Wayne Enterprise’s second in command, Lucius Fox, was missing in the Eastern European country of Markovia which had burst into a violent Civil War Batman demanded that the Justice League go in to help him save his friend.

Batman was too late however as Superman had already given his word that the League would not interfere in the conflict in Markovia.  Angered by his friends attitude regarding the situation Batman resigned from the Justice League on the spot recalling the vision of his parent’s death and his oath to avenge wrong wherever he found it.

In Markovia’s Royal Castle, King Viktor lay dying and passed his rule onto his eldest son Gregor and told both Gregor and younger prince Brion to work together to save Markovia from invaders, and to find their sister Tara.

The King passes shortly after this as Dr. Helga Jace appears and insists Brion come with her.  Brion reveals that Dr. Jace’s experiments gave Tara great powers and he is going to repeat the experiment to get power as well.

In the dirt roads near the castle, Rex Mason appears to get directions to Dr. Jace’s laboratory while Jefferson Pierce attempts to bribe his way into the castle under the guise of being Lucius Fox’ brother.  Jefferson manages to successfully enter the camp as Batman listens in on the bug in Jefferson’s duffel bag.

Jefferson is being interrogated by General Karnz when the General is stabbed through the side of the tent by a sword and killed.  One soldier holds Jefferson prisoner while the others go outside to find the assassin.

The soldiers see a small Japanese woman holding a sword who tells them her duty is done and if she may leave in peace she will spare them.  The soldiers balk at this “deal” and as a result the woman kills the one who gets closest to her to show she means business.

An ethereal voice calls out to the woman, calling her Katana, and urging her to leave as nothing else can be gained by further combat.  As to soldiers reenter the tent they surprise Jefferson who has changed his clothes into his Black Lightning uniform and knock him unconscious.

Batman is cursing this bad luck when he hears a young woman scream.  He turns around a corner and sees a blond woman lying down but glowing.  He goes to her and she awakens and he is hit with an energy blast from her as she takes flight.  Unable to stay aloft long, Batman catches her and he asks her when was the last time she had any food  The woman response is “food? what’s food?”

Meanwhile at Dr. Jace’s lab, Brion is subjected to experiments and gains powers of gravity increasing and lava blasts.  This isn’t enough however as Brion is shot and killed by the revolutionaries.  It is at this point that Rex Mason shows up and reveals himself to be Metamorpho.  He is also overcome by the rebels.  The rebels take Dr. Jace hostage along with Metamorpho, they bury Prince Brion in an unmarked grave, which heals Brion of his wounds.

Batman has named the young woman Halo and they work together to try to approach the rebels base to free Black Lightning and Lucius.  Batman goes off on his own but Halo sees a rebel soldier sneaking up on Batman and blasts him, alerting the rest of the troops who swarm Batman and knock him unconscious.

Awakening in the dungeon of the castle, Batman sees Lucius doing fairly well for a prisoner, along with Jefferson Pierce and the inert form of Metamorpho.  It is here that Baron Bedlam, the usurper of Markovia’s throne makes his first appearance to gloat over the captured form of one of the world’s foremost superheroes.

Batman gets Baron Bedlam to admit to his origins hoping that Black Lightning will recover in time to blast him.  Bedlam reveals that he was in power in Markovia during the Nazi occupation in WWII, however when the Americans invaded King Viktor was reestablished as the rightful leader of the country and Bedlam was forced to flee.

Black Lightning regains consciousness but does not attack Baron Bedlam.  Once the Baron leaves, Batman rails on Black Lightning. It is at this point that Jefferson confesses that he doesn’t have his powers anymore, and doesn’t wear the costume any more because the last time he did, he killed a girl.

Geo-Force has burst out of his grave but is amnesiac as well and is not sure what he should do next.

In the woods outside Katana ambushes Halo and the two of them attempt to work together to free the heroes on the inside.  Katana returned because she realized that her actions caused the rebels to take Jefferson hostage and Halo is anxious to have Batman discover who she really is since she is suffering from amnesia.  The two women make quick work of some soldiers outside and enter the complex.

Batman convinces Black Lightning to try to use his powers and reanimate Metamorpho, which Black Lightning does.  Metamorpho takes out the guards coming for them and frees the two heroes, but Batman is concerned about Lucius.  When Batman arrives he sees Halo and Katana have already saved Lucius Fox from being executed.

Black Lightning accuses Katana of being a murderer and she admits to killing General Karnz and the two soldiers who came after her for General Karnz slew the only people she’s ever loved.  She proves her truthfulness by showing the heroes that all the soliders that she defeated are still alive.

It is at this point that the five heroes begin to rally together to save Markovia’s throne from Baron Bedlam.  Batman begins to debate whether or not he could form another team to assist him with crime in Gotham City.

Baron Bedlam has taken Dr. Jace and forced her to give him earth powers like Geo-Force and the rebels begin their assault on Castle Markov.  When Geo-Force sees the Baron using the same powers he has, Brion snaps out of his fog and immediately attacks him and the two duel on the top of the castle.   Metamorpho saves Dr. Jace from assassination while the remaining heroes help defeat the rebels.

Geo-Force is nearly killed by the Baron, however the “geo-force” he gained was temporary and when the Baron loses his abilities, Brion easily defeats him and throws the villain to the people of Markovia for swift judgment.

Batman then invites the five heroes to join him as The Outsiders in the quest to find themselves, how to use their powers, and a purpose in life.  The five heroes agree and the Outsiders establish themselves in Gotham City as a force to be reckoned with against those who operate outside the rule of law.

First Appearance

Created By: Mike W. Barr & Jim Aparo

Roll Call

Batman – Leader and Teacher.

Black Lightning – Electrifying Street Smarts.

Geo-Force – Strength of the Earth

Halo – Mistress of Light

Katana - Questing Samurai

Metamorpho – The Element Man.