After a highly lauded first issue, Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely continue to deliver a charmingly fresh Batman and Robin.  Dick and Damien throw down with members of the freaky Circus of the Strange as they try to gain Commissioner Gordon’s respect.

Morrison achieves a good balance between action and character work.  Dick Grayson is learning that being Batman is tough when your Robin is a bratty 10-year- old who doesn’t want a new daddy.  Can a kid that young can actually fight? Aren’t their child labor laws?  Batman and Robin did not gel very well during this skirmish.  Morrison captures their squabbling with humor and skill.  Dick also feels the wight of needing to gain Commissioner Gordon’s approval.  This becomes even more difficult with the brat wonder not giving a shit.

This should be called “Frank Quitely ‘s Batman and Robin.”  His art is so astutely detailed and warm that he is in a league of his own.  The first page is a full panel of Dick and Alfred with the “R” from Robin’s uniform laying on the floor by Dick’s feet.  In one page, Quitely sets the defeated tone, foreshadows the book’s end, and makes the reader simply admire his mad skills.  Look at how fricking cool the capes look!

While the plot is not racing at breakneck speed, this is a good issue.  The Pig is a creepy villain who should be a sufficient challenge for the dysfunctional duo.

4 out of 5