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 enjoying Batwoman’s reappearance last issue, I am now disappointed. In this issue, Batwoman squares off against the new leader of the Religion of Crime, who is nuts, and the story falls flat. Very flat.
Author Greg Rucka’s writing skills are not evident. As a talented writer, I hoped for more. This entire issue is a boring brawl with nothing memorable. J.H. Williams III returns to lend his penciling skills. Unfortunately, it’s not a strong as last issue. The drug induced haze panels are creatively structured. There are monets of strong art, but I felt cheated because of the sharp drop in quality from last issue. Were we just being baited into sticking with Detective Comics? I think that might be the case.
I am no fool. I am seriously considering dropping this until Batman returns. Kill Batwoman again, please.
1.5 out of 5
