Batman, Robin and Red Robin prepare to defend Gotham against the Black Ring wearing undead hordes.

The battle tactics of Gotham’s defenders fall into the cheesy clichés of any zombie story.  I was hoping that Blackest Night would steer clear of this pitfall, but no luck.  The predictable return of Dick and Tim’s parents as Black Ring Corps members adds a little of emotional tension, but for the most part it falls flat.  Tomasi’s dialogue between Dick and Damien is fun and appropriately real for the characters. I found his witty banter to be the star of this issue.

Ardian Syaf’s art is magnificent.  He achieves a fluid dynamism pulling t reader from panel to panel.  His polished skills make this series feel like it’s important in the big scheme of all things Blackest Night.  We will have to wait and see if that’s true.

3.5 out of 5

All of the Bat titles are struggling to find their footing in a world without Bruce Wayne and this title seems to be more lost than the others.

Writer Judd Winick is just not hitting a stride with this storyline. There are pieces that never come together nor hold our attention. War is raging between Two-Face and the Penguin and the greatest causality is us, the reader who bought this crap. Dick Grayson’s internal monologues are ridiculously monotonous. The plot is not much better.

Mark Bagley’s pencils are as inconsonant as the plotting. The hyper action panels fail to provide subtle details to refine the characters. Batman looks like he’s jacked up on Botox, incapable of cracking a frown or smile.

This issue ends with yet another “Batman” demanding of Grayson “Where’s the real Batman?” I am wondering that myself because this Batman is a bore.

1.5 out of 5

With Grant Morrison taking the new flagship of “Batman and Robin,” writer Judd Winick fills in some gaps with this issue.  Focusing more on the new Batman, Winick gives us his take on the Dick Grayson’s growing pains.

I found the dialogue to be adolescent and trite.  How many more times is Dick going to complain about having to wear a cape?  Dick and Alfred going on about the cape’s weight being too heavy and it not being conducive to Dick’s fighting style was putting me to sleep; since when was Grayson such a bitch?  I really wish Alfred slapped him- bitch slapped him.

This issue jumps around to fill in some Gotham gaps.  The war between Penguin and Two-Face is finally getting some attention, although it wasn’t very exciting.  As Batman changes, so does Commissioner Gordon, trying to adjust to this new crime-fighting pal.  There were some nice little character moments throughout the issue, but nothing stellar.

Mark Bagley is drawing some dazzling pages.  The opening page’s battle-wounded Batman is masterful and rich.  I am particularly impressed that you can actually see Dick Grayson’s feature under the cowl.  The pages of Commissioner Gordon are subtle and refined, a combination of strong inking and smart coloring.  Batman’s muscular physic was a little overkill for my taste, but still nicely drawn.

Bagley’s art helps to save this issue’s bland story.  Nothing of real consequence happens; “Batman” is definitely playing second fiddle to “Batman and Robin.”

2.5 out of 5

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 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