Batman

Batman and Robin #7

/ / Comics

batman-and-robin-new-52-7-coverThe Nobody story comes to an explosive conclusion and Batman tracks down Gotham newest criminal, and old rival of Bruce Wayne, as the maniac is slowly torturing Damian over Robin’s comm system. Before the end of the night father and son will be reunited and Nobody will be defeated… for good.

The latest issue certainly doesn’t skimp on action as Batman plows the Batmobile into a middle of a ship to save his son and then spends most of the comic battling the deranged son of Henri Ducard.

I like the simple dialogue and reaction shots between Damian and Bruce once the battle has ended. I’m far less pleased with the comic’s final choice. I certainly understand it, and the story arc certainly gives the “justification” needed for that choice, but just as the pair were coming together the results of Damian’s deadly action are likely to tear Batman and Robin apart, again. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Batman and Robin #6

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batman-and-robin-new-52-6-coverDamian‘s true colors are shown as Nobody attempts to turn him into his new sidekick. Not surprisingly, Nobody finds him as hard to control as Batman has ever since the New 52 DC reboot.

As Batman searches for his son we get more of the flashbacks of his early days with Henri Ducard and his son and the confrontation that led to the end of their partnership. The flashbacks are told almost as if Bruce is making a recording for Damian in case anything happens to him, to let him know the truth.

Damian’s turning on Nobody is hardly surprising, but I’m thankful writer Peter J. Tomasi didn’t milk the story for another issue or two. It’s also good to see Damian standing up for something other than himself for a change (even if there’s no one else to witness it). The final panels, suggesting some serious injury to the boy, should lead to a brutal confrontation between Batman and Nobody in next month’s conclusion of the arc. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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The All-New Batman: The Brave and the Bold #16

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batman-all-new-brave-and-bold-16-coverThe latest, and sadly last, issue of The All-New Batman: The Brave and the Bold find Batman dealing with the return of Bat-Mite. However, this time around it isn’t Batman who’s the focus of the imp’s attention – it’s Batgirl.

When Batman loans his more obscure costumes to Gotham Fashion Week Batmite decides to give them out to Mad Mod and his gang (for his amusement), but when Batgirl shows up to help save the day Bat-Mite becomes immeadiately smitten with the female crime-fighter.

The issue works well as a Valentine’s Day tale twisted with Bat-Mite’s own warped logic such as conjuring up three music-based super-villains (Pied Piper, the Fiddler, the Music Meister) or reading old issue of Lois Lane to find ways to woo Batgirl.

Bat-Mite manages to take the rejection rather well, and finds a new target for his amorous advances. It’s not a bad end to the series but with the show already off the air and the rest of the New 52 Bat-titles firmly entrenched in a far less stories there certainly seems like there’s a market to keep this title around. I’m going to be sad to see it go. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Young Justice #12

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young-justice-12-coverThe follow up to last issue’s Batman and Robin adventure finds the Dynamic Duo battling Clayface. Although the villain is Matthew Hagen, he gets a new origin here as a member of the Legion of Assassins, and the former lover of Talia, who was locked in the Lazarus Pit when she discovered he was using his relationship with her for his own chance at immortality.

Although the rest of the Young Justice team makes an appearance here, as do Batman and Robin, most of the issue sets up Talia’s failed relationships with both Batman and Hagen and teaches readers a very valuable lesson – never trifle with the feelings of Ra’s al Ghul‘s daughter.

Next issue should see less flashbacks and more of the team battling this new version of Clayface but I’ve got to say I’ve enjoyed the past two issues focusing on Batman and Robin and now Talia. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Batman #5

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batman-new-52-5-coverAlthough I haven’t been the biggest fan of Scott Snyder’s “Court of Owls” storyline I do think this issue, which picks up eight days after the end of last month’s issue, works well. Drugged and trapped in the labrynith of the Court of Owls, Batman struggles to keep his sanity while his friends and confidants wait for the missing Dark Knight Detective to reappear.

The structure of the book, the art starts to revolve from vertical, to horizontal, to upside down story-telling, works well with Snyder’s tale of a Batman is slowly loosing his grip on reality but is still unwilling to give up or give in.

Although I don’t think it’s a great Batman story, it is well-told, with some strong artwork by Greg Capullo, and begins and ends with a couple of really nice moments such as the opening pages featuring Batman’s friends wondering what has become of their hero and the comic’s final panels which (finally) give us a glimpse that Damian may be more than the rebooted spoiled little shit we’ve seen so far. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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