Batman and the Outsiders #5
Published and © by DC, December 1983
Title: “Psimon Says …”
Synopsis: The Titans and Outsiders race to the Empire State Building to disrupt the Fearsome Five’s plot to takeover New York.
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Writer (co-plotter): Marv Wolfman
Penciler: Jim Aparo
Review: Picking up immediately after the final panel of The New Teen Titans #37 (see review), this two-part crossover’s conclusion is solid-but-unspectacular superhero fare. Unsurprisingly, Mike W. Barr’s character work is better with the Outsiders than the Titans, but both squads acquit themselves fine. Robin’s efforts to shed his “teen wonder” relationship with Batman skew overdramatic, and it’s good to see that character arc take a step forward on the final page. Artist Jim Aparo’s work is similarly middle of the road; he still delivers the occasionally striking figure or face but, overall, his work has drifted a bit too cartoony.
Grade: B
Cool factor: The cover is a literal crossover.
Not-so-cool factor: Batman and Robin. Bros. Work it out.
Notable: Continued from The New Teen Titans #37.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 95¢ Canadian variant of this issue. … According to MyComicShop.com, there is also a Mark Jewelers variant.
Character quotable: “I know the Titans better than you, and I know more about running a team than you!” – Robin, Batman’s not-so-teen wonder
Editor’s note: This review was written Feb. 6, 2025.
