Writer Judd Winick takes the reins of the Batman flagship with a new hero wearing the cape and cowl. With last week’s fantastic first issue of “Batman and Robin”, I wasn’t expecting much form this one. What could be done with this title that would be relevant?
Glad to say, I was very pleasantly surprised. It fits more naturally between “Battle for the Cowl” and “Batman and Robin” #1. Dick Grayson gives his reasons for abandoning the Batcave for a new base of operations. Winick provides the context for Alfred and Dick Grayson to mourn Bruce and prepare for the future. The emotions were natural and unforced in their honesty. The humanity behind the tights and capes was authentic and tragic, yet didn’t linger too long with the tissues.
Ed Benes draws a sharp Batman book. With a number of panels needing to convey raw emotion, Benes is up for the task. Of particular note are the faces of Alfred and Dick as they share their feelings about each other and Bruce. He captures a powerful moment when Dick’s reflection merges with Batman’s cowl. It makes you want to clap or cheer.
Batman’s main title is in good hands with this creative team. The final panel is a true work of art, Batman poised ready to protect and serve – and scare the shit out of the bad guys.
4 out of 5
The Eisner Award winning dynamic duo of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely take on the original dynamic duo in their new series Batman and Robin. Hoping for a repeat performance with their successful All-Star Superman, Morrison and Quitely have the talent to hit this one out of the park. The big question is did they accomplish this with issue number one? The answer…. holy frickin’ yes they did!
Quitely has created a gorgeous book. He draws with a master’s level of texture and warmth. His pages are painstakingly meticulous in details. His panels are a confident balance of exposition and action. When Batman (Nightwing) and Robin (Damien) clock a villain with a simultaneous punch, I wanted to cheer. The full-page panel of Batman and Robin descending from the sky onto Gotham’s streets is a print I would buy and hang on my living room wall. I can’t believe how realistic and unlike anyone else Quietly can even draw their capes!
Grant Morrison wastes no time in pulling the reader into his recreation of these icons. These characters are written with gusto and no hesitation. For a first issue, he accomplishes a lot. Not only has Morrison effectively given the DC Universe the new Batman and Robin, but presents a first glimpse into an intriguing story arc. Why are criminals being paid in dominoes? Sounds weird, but that’s what the dynamic duo discover. Two new villains are introduced, Toad and the sadistic Pyg; who these two are and why they are in Gotham is yet to be revealed, but I am already excited. Pyg, a masked faced butcher, shows what a bad ass he is on the last two pages. We get formidable new foes for the new team.
Most importantly, the new Batman and Robin work. This issue harkened to the good old days, yet embraced the new incarnations of Batman and Robin. Morrison doesn’t get stuck in either extreme – pretending like nothing happened nor continuing to bemoan Wayne’s death. Bruce Wayne is gone; Gotham needs her heroes; suit up and deal with it.
Morrison nails the interplay between Alfred, Nightwing (guess I have to call him Batman now) and Damien (I mean Robin). Alfred is protective of the new team and his dry English wit had returned. It’s nice to see him truly back after Bruce Wayne’s death. Damien is an arrogant kid who wants to drive and not ride shotgun to Grayson. However, his mouth is bigger than his actions. Morrison conveys a silent understanding that Damien is aware that he needs Alfred and Dick Grayson. He’s still a little turd that would never admit to this. But I like that. Dick Grayson is a good Batman thanks to Grant Morrison. A balance is achieved between being a strong Batman while still feeling the weight of the cowl. The emotion is believable without melodrama. The tissues are put away and Gotham’s criminals should be afraid.
I did not want this issue to end and I’m happy this title is so good. Batman fans deserve better than they have received recently. It certainly is fitting that Grant Morrison is the man to put a smile on their faces. Frank Quietly achieves perfection. The sun is shining on Gotham.
5 out of 5
