The pains of raising a child are a little more intense when you’re a superhero.
What They Say:
Battling evil with his son Damian at his side, Batman now realizes the hardest part of the job may be trying to work together! The Dynamic Duo toil as father and son in this series by the creative team behind the GREEN LANTERN CORPS–Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason.
The Review:
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, big Batman fan, just never been big on reading the Batman comics. After the pleasant surprise of Detective comics I decided to check out the other Batman series as they are released. Batman & Robin was the one I knew I might have the most trouble with though. The last time I read a Batman comic, Dick Grayson was Robin. Yeah, it’s been THAT long. I am wholly unfamiliar with Damian and where exactly he came from. If I was familiar with him and his history I might’ve fared better with this series.
The issue itself is a really good issue. It is a nice action packed standalone that starts to introduce us to a new villain that I am excited to see more of. The characterization of Batman is superb as he begins showing a new level of humanity and compassion. Batman is growing up! This development is shown through his concern and love for Damian/Robin, his son, and his resignation to move past his parent’s death to begin celebrating their life. These are really good moments that gives me a level of empathy for Batman I hadn’t had before. The action pieces are fantastically drawn with the right mixture of pace and good ‘ol Batman ingenuity.
The only issue I really have with this book is Damian himself. I hate this kid!! Holy crap! He is supposedly only 10 years old but he acts like the most absolutely rotten, despicable 15/16 year old imaginable! I was enjoying everything else about this book so much that every single time Damian opened his mouth I got frustrated. I kept telling myself “maybe if I knew more about his history I would understand why he’s acting like this” or “man, I hope they delve into his background and personality more so I can deal with him!” These are not thoughts a reader should be having in issue #1. Give the reader a couple of issues to warm up to the characters, get involved with the story, something! Out the gate with the first appearance of Robin I hated this kid. I’m sure there is good reason for it but, I wish I was let in on the joke.
In Summary:
After Detective Comics, this is another really solid Batman book that has me rethinking my position on Batman books….if it weren’t for that damn kid! Seriously! I am completely unfamiliar with this dynamic of the Batman mythos and if any of the new 52 needs more back story it’s the series where Batman has a son! I have to congratulate the staff on this comic though. Green Lantern Corps was an amazing series in the old DCU and everything great about that comic, both writing and art, is alive and well here. I just needed more to ‘get’ Robin in order to fully back this series.
Grade: C+
