Damage Per Second

Batman and Robin #1 review by Tyberious

I never thought I would see the day when I would assoicate the words cool, great, or awesome with something that had Batman and Robin in the title. Now don’t get me wrong I love Batman, hes my favorite superhero and I love the comics and the movies. The problem has been that the name in question has forever been linked to the worst Batman movie and one of the worst movies of all time.

I had my doubts when DC announced that the new Batman series would be called Batman and Robin. Mostly becasue of Grant Morrions latest run on the title and the current state of the Dark Knight in the DCU (Which I don’t fully hate and actually enjoy). Also Morrison’s comments about the title worried me he said the was his version was the 60’s Batman show but done right. So naturally the skeptic in me was expecting the worse

Anyway the book was released this past Wednesday and I picked it up. I also have to say the book is simply amazing/ I worried for nothing and I need to have more faith in Morrison and Quitely.

This new series follows the “New” Batman and the “New” Robin on their first official mission in Gotham City.This timel the dynamic duo are in pursuit of the villianious Mr. Toad who is part of Eastern European Circus headed by the mysterious villian only known as PYG. They also revieled one of the coolest Batmobiles in Bat history, the one that flies! Now for those who havent read the comics in a while you may be lost so here is a brief recap. Simply Bruce Wayne is no longer Batman. Following the events of Mprrison’s Batman: Rip, Last Rites, and Final Crisis, the Dark Knight is trapped in the Omega Sanction or the living death thanks in no small part to Darkseid. Now this basically means Batman is stuck in a parallel universe and will be forced to relive his life over and over again until he escapes (Which is possible because Mr. Miracle faced the same fate and escaped in the 70’s). So with Bruce out of commision Gotham City fell into dissary and left Nightwing, Robin, and Jason Todd to compete to see who would inherit the cowl of Batman in Tony Daniels Mediocore Battle for the Cowl . (The rest of the review should be considered spoilerish, so if you have not read Battle for the Cowl or Batman and Robin # 1 you may want to skip to the end).

In the conclusion of BFTC we saw Dick Grayson take over the mantle of the Dark Knight and Bruce and Talia Al Ghul’s son Damien Wayne become the new Robin.

Now back to B&R , the art of the comic is beautifully done by Frank Quitely who has worked with Morrsion numerous times in the past most recently on the great All Star Superman. When it comes to comics there really is no greater team than Morrison and Quitely. This book is just simply beautiful too look at!

What really works with the comic story wise is the relationship between Dick and Damien. The fighting between the two and how Morrison explores it is facinating. Damien is just as rebellious, and errogant as ever and Dick is still trying to put the kid on the right path like Bruce did for him and make him forget the evil lessons form his mother and League of Assassins. the relationship works and I am anxious to see where Morriso takes it and if Dick can succede and save Damien and help him to become his fathers son Another great aspect is Dick Grayson self doubt. He knows he has to be Batman because Gotham needs one but his constant stuggle and trying to live up to Bruce is also well done .

This is a refeshing turn by Morrison- who has angered an divided a lot of Bat fans with RIP and Final Crisis. I finally believe with BR we are going to see Morrision’s master plan and the method to his madness. I have to say that I am anxious to see what happens next and I am happy with the current event of things. While Bruce will always be Batman to me it is refreshing to have things get shaken up and turned on their heads because, as much as I love the comics it’s hard to keep them interesting and this is one run that has been that, In the end though we all know eventually Bruce will return its only a matter of time because, no one can be Batman and live up to his example, like Morrison said in an earlier interview. Give it a year and Bruce will be back so Bat fans don’t worry and please gove this a chance Morrison believe it or not knows what he is doing I do believe that.

Anyway this is a must pick up and I can’t say enough good things about this comic. I give it an A and I have to say Mr. Morrison Mr. Quitely thank you good works guys, you never dissapoint.