Batman and the Outsiders # 5 (2019)

 By Mark Rodriguez

Batman has set up a team led by Black Lightning to rescue Sofia from being captured by the forces of Rah's Al Ghul. However, as Black Lightning tries to get his team all on the same page, Rah's has finished brainwashing Sofia, turning her into a trained assassin named Babylon. 

"Lesser Gods Part 5" opens with Jefferson and Tatsu renting a room in Kahdym, where have no friends or protection. Jefferson asks Tatsu if she trusts Kaliber. Tatsu says she trusts him to track down Sofia, which is the only trust that matters. Jefferson comments that Tatsu seems to have no problem pretending to be an arms dealer. Tatsu says she isn't a stranger to these situations and says she's not a superhero but is restricted to her owner. Jefferson asks what she is, and Tatsu says she is what her name describes, a weapon. 

Jefferson asks her if she's killed people. Tatsu says she has killed many and asks if it bothers him. Jefferson says it doesn't but he's never have to make that choice. Tatsu tells him he will, so he should prepare for that moment. Jefferson asks how to do that and Tatsu tells him to close his eyes. She asks him to imagine someone he hates, someone who harmed him. He can see him. Tatsu tells him to allow himself to feel the pleasure in ending him, as Jefferson envisions himself as Black Lightning blasting someone to death. Tatsu tells him to ask himself if that is a pleasure that he is willing to deny, his answer will determine his nature.

Just then Kaliber calls Jefferson and informs him that he has found Sofia. He tells them that they have 90 seconds before someone can trace their call. He has eyes on Sofia but it looks like a trap. Sofia is in her new outfit as an assassin and sitting in a meditative pose. 

Kaliber says everyone knows who Jefferson and Tatsu are since they crossed the border, and they probably know who he is too. He said he would suggest not walking into this trap and regrouping, but they need to grab Sofia now. Jefferson and Tatsu head off towards Sofia's location in motorcycles as they agree with him.

Kaliber keeps Sofia in his sights as Jefferson and Tatsu arrived and stand behind Sofia. Sofia says the Demon told her they would come to take her. Jefferson says they are here to help her. Sofia says they don't know what he's done to her, and she is standing on the tongue of the demon, breathing in his words. Tatsu and Jefferson get ready as they notice Sofia's eyes and say she's been drugged. Sofia says she can hear the demon's words as a song, and the song is saying to destroy them. 

Sofia swings her sword at them, which Tatsu blocks with her own. Just then more assassins appear, having buried themselves under the ground. Some also appear behind Kalibak. Tatsu says she can handle Sofia and tells Jefferson to keep the others off of her. Jefferson tells her not to hurt Sofia and Tatsu says she will do her best as she dodges her sword strikes. 

Jefferson lets the assassins gets close enough to him so he can charge up his lightning and fry them all. Sofia says she's stronger than Tatsu. Tatsu tells her that she's lost and to not allow herself to become the Demon's weapon. Kaliber pulls his guns and starts shooting at the assassins. He says Batman would have had trouble with him killing them... but he's not there now. He tells the dead men that it will be their secret.

Tatsu kicks Sofia back telling her that she knows pain makes her stronger, but right now she needs clarity. Sofia tells her that the Demon's words burn inside her. Tatsu tells her that they can help her silence his words. Sofia says they can't trust her. Tatsu says they will help her. Tatsu tells Jefferson that they have Sofia now and asks what's wrong. Jefferson asks if this was all a trap, where was Ismael?

Elsewhere, Ismael launches a surprise attack on The Signal and Orphan. Orphan says they can stop him together and Ismael says he has come to offer them the truth. Ismael says it's time that they learn that Batman has failed them and is their enemy. He will show them why. 

I am very confused by this panel. The only way way it makes sense is that the panel is symbolizing what Duke and Cassie see, but this really does look like Ismael is busting in behind them and both Duke and Cass have eyes on the back of their head. Just a very weird and awkward panel.

My Thoughts- 

Pretty cool issue and a sweet action scene with great art. It was bit different to see Black Lightning and Katana handle things in their regular clothes, but given the situation they had little time to change into their costumes. 

It still bugs me that so much time was wasted with practice runs and so forth in the last issue that it allowed Rah's the time to gets into Sofia's head. I'm surprised Sofia didn't introduce herself as Babylon here. It looks like Rah's intends to trade one pawn for another since he seemed to have sacrificed Sofia in order to get to Duke and Cassandra. 

There's not too much to mention in this comic except for the small exchange between Jefferson and Tatsu on the subject of killing. I just noticed that Katana, Orphan and Kaliber are no strangers to killing, while Jefferson and Duke most definitely are.

I'll be eager to see where all of this goes. The only other thing worth mentioning was the ad for the at-the-time Joker movie starring Joaquin Phoenix. I got to watch it with Johnny and we enjoyed it. What will the sequel entail now that it will include Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn?