Batman and Robin #8 review

Grant Morrison continues to weave together a unique era in the Batman mythos. For timeless characters like Batman, it’s tough to come up with something original. Like it or hate it, Morrison is delivering something new.

Dick Grayson, Batwoman, the Knight and the Squire gather at a Lazurus Pit under the streets of London, and await the resurrection of Bruce Wayne. In a smart twist, Morrison reveals that the corpse Superman carried at the end of Final Crisis was a clone of Batman created by Darkseid. Not being a fan of Final Crisis, I was sad to see elements of that debacle reach into the pages of this issue. However, it was tolerable if not enjoyable. Morrison writes Dick Grayson extremely well. He’s emerging as a confident hero who is building poise under the cowl. Damian gets a new spine (literally) and is temporally confined to a wheelchair. This issue ends with a shocker and a cliffhanger that makes he hope for the next issue to arrive soon.

While I prefer Frank Quitely’s unparalleled art, Cameron Stewart is doing a great job. This issue is a fast-paced romp and Stewart has a commanding grasp of these pages. The Batman vs. Batman fight is sharp and flows beautifully. Stewart captures soft details in a clean and refined style. Considering that he had to fill Quitely’s shoes, Cameron Stewart is holding his own.

I respect what Grant Morrison is creating, but I’m not a huge fan Final Crisis. I like Batman because he’s an earthy hero, with no jacked up origin story of cosmic powers or aliens. Batman tossed in with mulit-verses, resurrections, time travel and all that bull crap is not my cup of tea. Morrison gets too weird for me, but he is writing a good story. Let Batman protect Gotham and Green Lantern tackle the sci-fi junk.

3.5 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

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