Independent
It's a bat-team
Yes, he was a fully grown adult busting heads while Dick was running around in his green panties.
Yeah but it's nebulous just how many years Dick has on Jeff. Either way, Jeff was also a teacher so he has more experience dealing with people and especially troubled kids on top of being a superhero. If Batman is not around then Jeff should be the leader.
Its good that they started with Batman, but now they can be without him and evolve or grow independently.
vol. 1 was such a great series with a lot of time for each character. I just reread the first 10 issues. There is more story and background story in these 10 issues than in a 100 of todays comics. (over exaggerating here, but you get my point)
The Outsiders are in this weird nexus where Batman fans don't care about them and DC fans in general don't care about them. I'm not really even sure what to do with the property at this point, besides give it a rest for a few years.
Given how the Fox Clan has grown over the years, maybe give it to them?
You would still have the 'Bat' connection. You could get some mileage out of Jace and Jeff interacting. Lucius could be the tech guy. Of course Katana has to be there. Then you can add Metamorpho, Duke, Creeper, Cass and any other character who would fit the team.
If you go by when the characters started, and how much crimefigting they have done and what villains they faced on panel, Dick is imo far ahead.
He is around much longer, has way more solo stories, was in more events, and the Titans imo still having a better rogues gallery than the Outsiders.
Ugh please let them be independent. I really don't understand why people want Black Lightning and Katana to be Batman's flunkies. I don't like the idea of POC characters being subservient to a white dude, that chapter in life is over which is why I was on the fence about Hill's Outsider roster at first. I want The Outsiders to shine and they can't do that being tied to Batman's hip. Make them the answer to Marvel's Defenders.
Okay and? If folks want to see The Outsiders be slaves to Batman simply b/c he's the cash cow, then that's their business. If people want Batman shoved down their throats, their business. Sorry for not being sheep. I'll take an independent team rather than them being Batman's lapdogs any day.