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Outsiders Chronology

Introduction PART 1:
Original Team		 PART 2:
Sans Batman		 PART 3:
Winnick reinvention 		PART 4:
Batman Again

Part 1

Sequence of Events Issue (Date)
Billions of years ago: A race of beings called Aurakles emerge from the Source at the beginning of creation. In time the race spawns one individual who is fascinated by the lives of organic beings. A sentimental Aurakle witness the death of Violet Harper and unwittingly reaches out to her. It is then forever trapped in her body. BATO #22 (6.85)
2000 BCE: When a meteorite crashes in Switzerland, it imbues a pregnant woman's son, Loron, with psychic powers. Loron later founds the underground civilization of Abyssia. BATO #30 (2.86)
c. 1260 BCE, 19th Dynasty Egypt, Ancient Egypt: POST-CRISIS: The priest of the Pharaoh Ahk-ton discovers a meteor, from which he crafts the Orb of Ra. Ahk-ton's exposure to the meteor transforms him into the first "Metamorpho." This transformation is later reversed, and Ahk-ton is slain and buried with the artifacts. NOTE: This timeline is difficult to reconcile with those of JSA #43 (see next). Metamorpho v.2 #1 (8.93)
c. 1260 BCE: Vandar Adg (Vandal Savage) uses the Orb of Ra to enslave Ahk-ton and war against the pharaoh Khufu. JSA #43 (2.03)
Pre-Crisis, 1100 BCE, 20th Dynasty Egypt: Ahk-ton, rival of the pharaoh Ramses VII, creates the Orb of Ra from a fallen meteor. He sends it into the future, calculating for its return as a powerful weapon against the king. When the Outsiders arrive from the future, Ahk-ton uses the Orb to enslave Metamorpho. When he is freed, Ahk-ton is defeated and taken by Ramses, who intends to slay him. NOTES: This tale was retconned by Mark Waid (see next entries). Since the reign of the Ramses in Egypt was unbroken, it is improbable that Ahk-ton survived until after Ramses XI to become pharaoh himself. In addition, JSA #15 (see below) takes place during the 19th Dynasty, with Ahk-ton as Metamorpho. BATO #17-18 (1-2.85)
1942-43: Several JLAers and Outsiders fight alongside Easy Company against the forces of the Pantheon. NOTE: Date based on Sgt. Rock's mention of Rommel's Afrika Corps, which the U.S. 11/8/1942- 5/11/1943. World's Finest #300 (2.84)
55 Years Ago: Jor-El and Lara of Krypton launch their son Kal-El towards Earth in a ship made from the Eradicator. The Eradicator is programmed to preserve Kryptonian culture and technology. NOTES: Date based on Action #600 (5 years ago), when a wave of kryptonite radiation reached Earth. In other words, Krypton was 50 light years away. Superman Secret Files #1 (1.98)
World War II: When Markovia comes under Nazi control, the young Markovian boy who would become Baron Bedlam has an encounter with Adolf Hitler. He witnesses the secret location of a powerful Nazi weapon. Eventually, the Americans (led by Sgt. Rock) liberate Markovia from the Nazis. NOTE: Bedlam's last name is given as DeLamb (rearranged). BATO #2 (9.83), AOTO #34 (6.86)
35 Years Ago: The birthing matrix (the Eradicator) containing Kal-El of Krypton lands outside Smallville, Kansas. Kal-El is adopted by Jonathan and Martha Kent, who name him Clark. NOTE: The date was established by Superman Secret Files #1. Man of Steel v.1 #1 (6.86)
35 Years Ago: Bruce Wayne is born to Thomas and Martha Wayne. NOTE: Date based on Bruce Wayne's age (25) in the "Batman: Year One" story. Batman #404 (2.87)
25 Years Ago: Gotham City socialites Thomas and Martha Wayne are murdered by a mugger, leaving their young son Bruce an orphan. Batman Secret Files #1 (11.97)
In an attempt to gain power, Felix Faust sacrifices his son, Sebastian to a demon. Sebastian, however, is the one who manifests true mystical abilities. The boy also loses his soul; what remains of his eyes is a faint glimmer. Later, the elder Faust tries the same thing with his daughter, Fauna. She gains the ability to control animals. OUT2 #18 (5.95)
17 Years Ago: Bruce Wayne begins a worldwide odyssey to develop the skills he will need to fight crime. Batman Secret Files #1 (11.97)
12 Years Ago
January 4: Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham City. 1st app. James Gordon and Selina Kyle. NOTE: Unlike Superman and Wonder Woman, the post-Crisis history of Batman developed gradually. As official stories such as "Year One," etc. were told, the principal characters' histories changed retroactively. Batman's 1st historical app. was Detective Comics #27 (5.39). Batman #404 (2.87)
Bruce Wayne adopts the guise of Batman (Batman #405). 1st app. Harvey Dent. Batman #405 (3.87)
Pre-Crisis: 1st app. of Gardner Grayle, the Atomic Knight. NOTE: The original tales of the Atomic Knights were removed from post-Crisis continuity by the story in Outsiders v.1 #27. Strange Adventures #117
11 Years Ago
Rex Mason a soldier for hire, is contracted by Simon Stagg to find the Orb of Ra. When he finds it, his cohort Java steals it and leaves Rex in the light of an ancient meteor. This meteor transforms Mason into Metamorpho, the Element Man. 1st app. of Sapphire Stagg. NOTE: The Metamorpho series ran for 17 issues beginning in 1965. A 4-issue mini-series ran in 1993. Brave & Bold #57 (12.64-1.65), BATO #17 (1.85)
Metamorpho seeks the League's help in restoring him to normal, but he rejects their offer of membership. NOTE: He appears again in JLofA #44. Justice League of America #42 (2.66)
Deadman coerces Adam Strange, Batgirl, Metamorpho, Blackhawk, Mento and a new Shining Knight II together as a sort of Silver Age Seven Soldiers of Victory. NOTE: The team never actually uses the SSoV name. Shining Knight is Gardner Grayle, who eventually becomes the Atomic Knight. The Silver Age: Showcase (7.00)
8 Years Ago
1st app. of Jefferson Pierce, Black Lightning. 1st app. of Tobias Whale and Syonide. NOTE: The Black Lightning series ran for 11 issues. A second series began in 1995 for 13 issues. Black Lightning #1 (4.77)
Pre-Crisis only: Batman & Metamorpho. Brave & Bold #154 (9.79)
Green Arrow suggests Black Lightning for membership in the Justice League, but he ultimately refuses. Justice League of America #173 (12.79)
(Batman & Black Lightning) Brave & Bold #163 (1.80)
7 Years Ago
In Japan, Takeo and Maseo Yamashiro vie for the love of the fair Tatsu. She marries Maseo and Takeo takes to a life in crime with the Yakuza. He becomes a weapons collector and buys two identical swords from General Karnz. With one of these, he kills Maseo and ignites a fire which kills his children as well. BATO #12 (7.84)
Violet Harper and Mark Denninger steal a formula from the gangster Tobias Whale. They attempt to blackmail him for it and flee to Europe. There, Violet kills Mark with a drug overdose. The assassin Syonide tracks her to Markovia and kills her, too. BATO #20 4.85
A sentimental Aurakle witness the death of Violet Harper and unwittingly reaches out to her. It is then forever trapped in her body. BATO #22 (6.85)
In a fight, Black Lightning accidentally causes the death of Trina Shelton. Feelings of guilt thereafter block the use of his powers. BATO #2 (9.84)
Dr. Jace bestows Earth-based powers on young Tara Markov. The girl leaves Markovia and allies with Deathstroke the Terminator. NOTE: Terra received her powers one year before Geo-Force. New Teen Titans v.1 #37
1st app. of Tara Markov, Terra. New Teen Titans v.1 #26
Mike W. Barr & Jim Aparo begin as writer, artist
When Lucius Fox is kidnapped in Markovia by Baron Bedlam, Batman requests the aid of the Justice League to save him. When that aid is refused, Batman resigns. Batman instead enlists Black Lightning. Markovia's King Viktor dies, requesting that his son, Prince Brion find his half-sister Tara. Dr. Jace, who gave Tara her powers, duplicates the process on Brion. Metamorpho, seeking Dr. Jace's help also joins the fray. Batman discovers a young girl unconscious in the woods and names her "Halo." The stealthy Katana kills General Karnz in an act of vengeance for her family. 1st chronological appearance of the Geo-Force, Halo and Katana. NOTE: A Map of Markovia places the country between France, Belgium and Luxembourg. BATO #1 (8.83)
Black Lightning regains his powers and reanimates Metamorpho. Bedlam uses Jace's technology to temporarily bestow himself with Earth-powers. When they wear off, Geo-Force tosses Bedlam to an angry mob. Metamorpho coins the new groups name: the Outsiders. BATO #2 (9.84)
Baron Bedlam's body is recovered and cloned by Dr. Ovnari. AOTO #34 (6.86)
The Outsiders return to Gotham City. They are told that Bruce Wayne will fund their organization. Halo takes the name Gabrielle Doe. She and Katana (whose ID as Tatsu Yamashiro is also revealed) set up residence in Wayne's former penthouse. Their headquarters is also established in that building. They stop Agent Orange from releasing a gas bomb. NOTE: Halo is said to be 15-17 years old. BATO #3 (10.84)
1st appearance (in print) of the Outsiders: Batman, Geo-Force, Halo, Katana, Black Lightning & Metamorpho. They stop the fanatical followers of the terrorist, Miklos. Brave & Bold #200 (7.83)
Meltdown escapes Gotham State Prison, but the Outsiders help cure him of his radiation powers. NOTE: Meltdown first appeared in Batman #195, then in Black Lightning #4-5. BATO #4 (11.83)
Gizmo breaks the Fearsome Five out of prison. Shimmer leads them to kidnap Dr. Jace, intending to force her enhance their powers. This sets off an alarm to Terra. NOTE: This cross-over continues in the next entry. The covers of these two issues form one large battle image. New Teen Titans v.1 #37
The Fearsome Five mutiny against Dr. Light. The heroes regroup at the Outsiders HQ where Halo picks up a mental message from Dr. Light. Robin then (over Batman's domineering) leads them to victory. BATO #5 (12.83)
Bruce Wayne sets Tatsu in charge of a Japanese bookstore. Halo starts high school, and Black Lightning begins his new teaching job. They battle the Cryonic Man, an organ thief who kidnaps Katana. Dr. Jace reveals Metamorpho's plan to cure himself. BATO #6 (1.84)
Katana's sword leads the Outsiders to her and the Cryonic Man. He is killed by the people he was keeping artificially alive. BATO #7 (2.84)
The JLA and Outsiders team up to stop a Cosmic Tree from destroying Earth, while other Leaguers travel to the planet Olda to save it from a similar fate. Their foes are the aliens from Olda, who are attempting to invade Earth, led by the Pantheon, a group of humans transformed by the tree, whose leader is a man named Zeta. NOTES: Guest appearance by the Teen Titans. Batman also encounters the pre-Crisis Superboy in his journeys through time. World's Finest #300 (2.84)
The Phantom Stranger helps the Outsiders defeat his old foe, Tannarak. Tannarak is reborn from the womb and wreaks some "age-havoc." Trina Shelton's mother hires New Wave and the Masters of Disaster to kill Black Lightning. Note: Tannarak was de-aged in Saga of the Swamp Thing #5. This is the first of the Outsiders' annual Christmas stories. BATO #8 (3.84)
Geo-Force meets Denise Howard, a fellow student. In guilt, Black Lightning surrenders to the Masters of Disaster: New Wave, Shakedown, Windfall, Heatwave & Coldsnap. 1st app. of Tatsu's brother-in-law, Takeo Yamashiro. BACKUP STORY: Halo. BATO #9 (4.84)
Mrs. Shelton realizes her mistake and sacrifices her own life in saving Black Lightning from the Masters. NOTE: Pencils by Steve Lightle. BATO #10 (5.84)
Takeo switches swords with Katana's Soultaker. She and the team follow him to Tokyo. There, Takeo and the Oyabun (godfather of the crime organization Yakuza) recall the spirits those slain by the Soultaker: Shuriken, Blowdart, Nunchaku & Anthor Stoneaxe--and Katana's husband Maseo. BATO #11 (6.84)
Katana reclaims the Soultaker. She kills Takeo, his soul entering the sword. Maseo's soul also returns to the sword. Batman is poisoned by Blowdart. 1st app. of the Bad Samaritan (not named), in Japan seeking to form an international coalition. BATO #12 (7.84)
With the Batman hallucinating, the Outsiders remove his mask and learn his identity. They use this knowledge to stage a play which helps bring him out of his fever. Afterwards, he voluntarily reveals his own ID to them. BATO #13 (8.84)
Terra is killed in a maelstrom of her own making New Teen Titans Annual #3 (1984)
Geo-Force mourns his sister. In sympathy, the team gives him a new uniform. Security chief B. Eric Blairman assembles the Force of July (Major Victory, Mayflower, Lady Liberty, Silent Majority & Sparkler). The Outsiders stop them and destroy a satellite meant to launch Project Orwell. This would have enabled Blairman to spy on people via their televisions. The Force escapes. NOTE: Curiously, Metamorpho is unscathed when he protects Geo-Force upon reentry into the atmosphere. This is precisely how he dies in JLA #1. BATO Annual #1 (1984)
Maxie Zeus forms the New Olympians: Nox, Diana, Vulcanus, Antaeus, Argus & Proteus. Their goal is to kidnap an athlete he hopes will be a mother to his daughter, Medea. Geo-Force follows Halo on her date; when he's discovered, the two fight then kiss. NOTE: Maxie Zeus first appeared in Detective #483. BATO #14 (10.84)
The New Olympians are defeated. BATO #15 (11.84)
The Truth About Halo, Part 1: Batman sends sends Jason Bard to the Midwest to investigate Halo's past. He finds her yearbook and parents in Arlington, Missouri. Her name is revealed as Violet Harper (Batman had noticed how she never uses her violet aura). Halo returns to live with her parents, Sam and Margaret. With Dr. Jace's help, Metamorpho pursues his love, Sapphire Stagg. Stagg kills him with the Orb of Ra. Dr. Jace proclaims him dead, but admits, his physiology is no longer human. BATO #16 (12.84)
Pre-Crisis: The Outsiders return to the pyramid of Ahk-ton to restore Metamorpho. They are transported to ancient times. NOTE: Mark Waid's 1993 Metamorpho series negates the timeline of this story. It is unclear in post-Crisis continuity whether the Outsiders traveled into the past. BATO #17 (1.85)
Metamorpho is again exposed to the ancient meteor and restored. This second exposure means that he can never reverse the process. Sapphire Stagg asks him to marry her. Halo begins to discover disturbing things about her past. Denise Howard attempts suicide after her professor blackmails her for sex. BATO #18 (2.85 )
Halo and Geo-Force realize that they are not in love. He receives a call from Denise Howard and sets out for revenge against her professor. Batman calls in Superman to stop him. Tobias Whale and his aide, Syonide II, learn of Violet Harper's reemergence. They seek to regain something she stole. NOTE: Second annual Christmas story. BATO #19 (3.85)
The Truth About Halo, Part 2: Halo has a nightmare about the Aurakles. Whale explains that he wants a drug formula locked in Violet Harper's photographic memory. Whale's Dr. Moon (1st app?) notices an anomaly in her brain wave pattern. When the Outsiders enter the fray, Syonide kills the Harpers. NOTE: Alan Davis does a pinup in this issue; he fully debuts in issue #22. BATO #20 (4.85)
Katana stops an art heist. Geo-Force rescues reporter Joan Lincoln from a robot shark. Black Lightning defeats the (sigh) Ghetto Blaster. NOTE: This is a filler issue with solo tales. Alan Davis does the splash page here. The letters column states that Halo is a sophomore in high school. BATO #21 (5.85)
Alan Davis as penciller, #22-36
The Truth About Halo, Part 3: Batman revisits the destroyed JLA satellite with the Outsiders. There they use the equipment to analyze Halo. (Because Batman designed the satellite's security system, he has an override code.) Black Lightning powers the equipment and Dr. Jace induces Halo's memory of life as an Aurakle, a race of energy beings eons old. This jolt summons the other Aurakles, who abscond with Halo. NOTE: A continuity debate rages in the letters column over the removal of Brave & Bold #123 (featuring Metamorpho) from continuity. The writer claims that continuity is subject to current market conditions. Pronunciation is also given for Dr. Jace: JAH-say. BATO #22 (6.85)
The Truth About Halo, Part 4: Katana seeks help from the Oyabun (godfather of the Yazuka). She uses an artifact to call out the slain Aurakle in her blade and orders it to take them to Halo. The team cripples the Aurakles and they surrender Halo, who then departs in anguish. BATO #23 (7.85)
The villain I.Q. transforms Alfred once again into the creature called the Outsider. This attracts the attention of Superman, who helps free Alfred. NOTE: Alfred first became the Outsider in Detective #356. DC Comics Presents #83 (7.85)
Halo returns to Gotham and meets a man named David. He takes her to a commune called Eden. The commune is actually a front for the villain Kobra. At the zoo, the Outsiders foil an assassination attempt on Simon Stagg. Afterwards, Stagg gives his blessing to the wedding of Metamorpho to his daughter, Sapphire. 1st app. of Kobra's assistant, Eve. BATO #24 (8.85)
Rex and Sapphire ready for their wedding. David proposes to Halo just before they're captured by Kobra and her identity is exposed. Under duress, she reveals Batman's ID, too. 1st app. Emily Briggs. NOTES: The letters column states that Geo-Force can fly 500 mph. It also confirms that Halo's first name, Gabrielle, is inspired by the angel Gabriel. BATO #25 (9.85)
Kobra agents ambush the Outsiders in their civilian identities. Batman tracks Kobra to the commune but is too late. Kobra has hijacked the U.S. "star wars" satellite. BATO #26 (10.85)
The team infiltrates Ajan Enterprises, a Kobra operation and obtains top secret information. There they also rescue Halo and take a ship into orbit, which is then destroyed. In departing, Halo gives David a goodbye kiss. Emily Briggs reveals that "Lia" was her father's nickname for her. BATO #27 (11.85)
Maxwell Tremayne sends his shape-changing lackey, Even Steven to kidnap Sapphire Stagg on her wedding day. He also employs the Masters of Disaster. When Steven absorbs Metamorpho's powers, he turns on Tremayne, killing both of them. NOTE: Tremayne 1st appeared in Brave and Bold #58. BATO Annual #2 (1985)
THE TRUTH ABOUT LOOKER
Part 1: Emily Briggs pays a visit to Tatsu and is kidnapped by people from Abyssia. Metamorpho is also abducted. Halo gets a new haircut. BATO #28 (12.85)
Part 2: A possessed Metamorpho subdues the Outsiders when they arrive at Abyssia. An opposition leader, Tamira, claims Geo-Force and Halo as additional slaves. The others are taken by her brother, Mardo and discover Emily there as well. NOTE: Abyssia lies in Mont Castelle, Switzerland. BATO #29 (1.86)
Part 3: Mardo relates Abyssia's history. Emily's grandfather Ector was in fact the last member of Abyssia's royal lineage. BATO #30 (2.86)
Part 4: With the return of Halley's Comet, Tamira initiates Emily's transformation. She is changed physically to resemble her ancestors, and gains their psychic powers. Mardo then gains control and forces Emily to kill Tamira. Katana kills Mardo, and Emily then leaves Abyssia in the hands of the common people. She is reunited in Gotham City with her (very surprised) husband. NOTE: Tamira does not die, but is horribly disfigured, as revealed in Outsiders #28 (2.88). BATO #31 (3.86)
The revived Baron Bedlam allies with the Masters of Disaster to overthrow Markovia. When Batman hides this information from Geo-Force, Brion is furious. The ensuing argument ends in Batman's dissolution of the Outsiders. The team decides to continue without him. NOTE: Batman's departure was the result of good sales on Outsiders, but bad sales on JLofA. See next entry. BATO #32 (4.86)
Batman responds to a JLA alert signal. At the case's end, the Martian Manhunter persuades him to rejoin the JLA as its new chairman, on a short-term basis. Justice League of America #250 (5.86)
The Outsiders go to Markovia and are captured by the Masters. One of Bedlam's Soviet allies (the Samaritan) discovers his true plan: to revive a clone of Adolf Hitler. Emily Briggs's marriage shows signs of strain. NOTE: The name of the book changes to Adventures of the Outsiders. At the same time, Outsiders is launched. Events in Outsiders begin one year ahead of those in Adventures. AOTO #33 (5.86)
Bedlam reveals how he was cloned by Dr. Ovnari and set about his revenge. He recovers a Nazi weapon, the Proton Cloud Generator. Looker defeats and Masters and frees the Outsiders, effectively joining the team. Windfall defects from the Masters. NOTE: After this, she is recaptured and cloned. AOTO #34 (6.86)
Bedlam mounts his largest offensive, but is defeated, and killed (again) by Geo-Force. The clone of Hitler, having viewed tapes of Nazi atrocities, commits suicide. AOTO #35 (7.86)
The Outsiders are given medals by King Gregor of Markovia. They also accept his offer to become "unofficial agents" of that state, receiving funding from the Markovian government. The Outsiders vote to move to Los Angeles for their new headquarters. Geo-Force leaves behind his girlfriend, Denise, and Looker separates from her husband, Greg. NOTE: Last Alan Davis on pencils. AOTO #36 (8.86)
Aboard the Outsiders' cruise to Los Angeles, Dr. Marlene makes her move to kidnap Looker as the Marine Marauder. Black Lightning reveals a desire to reunite with his ex-wife in L.A. AOTO #37 (9.86)
NOTE: After this, issues #39-46 of Adventures of the Outsiders reprints the Outsiders series from issue #1. AOTO #38 (10.86)

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