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
Writer Paul Dini gives Gotham a voice in this new monthly series, written from multiple perspectives. With a noir style and darkly brooding atmosphere, Dini crafts a successful addition to the DC Batverse. “Streets” finds its own unique niche among the recent spawning of Bat-titles.
This is a street level view of Gotham from Comissoner Gordon to B-list villains who are searching for a place during the city’s time of transition. Unlike recent one shots and minis, this story has weight and possible future implications. Firefly is maneuvering to become a grade-A villain with a diabolical plan. Batman and Robin appear in a distinctive manner. We see Gotham suffering and witness the fear of her residents. The Dynamic Duo doesn’t always arrive just in the nick of time and can’t save everyone. Dini injects a nice dose of realism into this promising title.
Dustin Ngyen’s art creates a dark and gritty atmosphere reflective of the narrative. His use of shadows and thick lines provide the punch needed to set the tone effectively.
Once reluctant to pick this up, I’m sure glad I did. The Manhunter feature is the icing on an already satisfying cake. The mean streets of Gotham are interesting and her villains are ready to make the fledgling Batman and Robin earn their new titles.
3.5 out of 5
