Showing posts with label
batman reborn: batman and robin.
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Showing posts with label
batman reborn: batman and robin.
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Amusingly disjointed, irresponsibly fun and outrageous, and atrociously silly--these are the foremost adjectives I would describe Grant Morrison's story arcs entitled Blackest Knight and Batman vs. Robin which this second volume was composed of.
I was a massive fan of the first volume Batman Reborn because those six issues are probably the most insanely crafted storylines I have ever read in a Batman series, and yet they were also able to impart something resonant when it comes to characterizations and thematic conflicts. I originally intended to only read the first volume this year but since I have a week to spare before I get started on my December list, I decided to just jump right into the next six issues and I was glad I did because it was the most fun I had, particularly when everything about the stories just clicks with me easily.
There wasn't anything of notable depth for this volume. In fact, most of the plot ideas are plain silly but it's the kind of silly that entertains. Morrison was not pretentious in delivering these action-packed tales which I quite appreciated because it kept everything light-hearted and exciting for me to follow. I don't even notice that it's not Bruce Wayne underneath that cowl but Dick Grayson.
This is set after the events of Final Crisis where Bruce Wayne was presumed dead. It's in this volume when it was revealed that he is very much alive and was merely transported by Darkseid to some alternate dimension, and it's up to Dick, Damian and Alfred to find and retrieve him, but not without complications and the other more important missions to face as the Dynamic Duo.
The inarguable bonus for me in picking up this series was the fact that I'm able to enjoy Damian Wayne as Robin again after the months of heartache I experienced when he was tragically killed by Morrison himself (something I'm slowly forgiving him for these days) in Batman Incorporated. Due to his year-long absence and death in the New 52 continuity, I tried my best to avoid any material that included him for a while. Choosing to read him again in the comic book pages is honestly an act of courage, and a step towards accepting him back in my life as a beloved favorite character. I know this all sounds laughable to you, but I love Damian Wayne in a way I never thought was possible (because it was unexpected!) so losing him was like losing my own family. That's not an exaggerated sentiment. That's how it felt like when I watched him die. I had to grieve him alongside Batman and the rest of his friends as I read and reviewed Tomasi issues as dutifully as I could six months ago. That wasn't an easy task to do. It was a very masochistic endeavor. I even cried a lot.
Now I was absolutely torn about him coming back in Tomasi's run but reading him here in Morrison's own version has made me realize how much I've missed him after all, and that I do look forward to reading him again in New 52. This volume's last issue (#12) provided a very insightful and brutally honest look at Damian's relationship wit his mother Talia al Ghul. I've talked about it in this review, so I won't repeat myself. You can just read it by clicking the link. Overall, if you are a Damian Wayne fan yourself, then I recommend Morrison's Batman and Robin. It's fun, comedic and surprisingly sweet in some ways. This one was illustrated by two artists, Cameron Stewart and Andy Clarke for the respective two story arcs. There is a lot of dynamic and tantalizing panels and action sequences in their artwork which I guarantee will keep you engrossed as you turn the pages.
I am ready for more Batman and Robin stories both from the old and new continuity!
RECOMMENDED: 8/10
In the previous two issues, shit went down in what can only be described as a spiral of what-the-fuckery.
It started when Dick, Alfred and Damian decided to look for clues that will help them find and retrieve Bruce who is currently trapped in some other dimension, no thanks to Darkseid. In doing so, they uncovered secret passageways in the Manor where they discover that one of the Wayne ancestors used to worship demon bats.
Later, Damian meets Oberon Sexton in the graveyard and they took turns beating up the random gangsters who turned up to ransack Wayne Manor. Damian then deduces that Sexton has a fake English accent--and that he could be Bruce Wayne all along.
Much earlier on, however, Talia al Ghul just so happens to have experimented on her son's damaged spine under false medical assistance so she could plant a chip that would control his motor functions via a Cerebro-looking helmet.
Much later on, Slade Wilson, a.k.a Death Stroke, was commissioned by Talia to put on the said helmet so he can use Damian's body to beat the crap out of Dick whom he has a personal vendetta with.
And here we are.
This is the exciting conclusion to the three-part story arc Batman vs. Robin and it was infused with lots of action and drama that once and for all proved that Grant Morrison can write the most convoluted plots and yet still somehow stick the landing as long as he can manage to incorporate some deeper reflection later on. That was exactly how Batman vs. Robin was like for me. It had tantalizing action and genuinely comedic moments which can also be said for his previous arcs in the first volume (Batman Reborn and Revenge of the Red Hood). I didn't really expect it to have some sort of emotional pay-off at the end like those two did, and yet it thankfully had one. I wouldn't exactly call it a pay-off either but it was definitely an insightful, personal plot thread that resonates with Damian Wayne's characterization so far in Morrison's series.
I've stated before that I much preferred Damian in Peter J. Tomas's New 52 Batman and Robin series, but Morrison is the credited creator for this Boy Wonder so I still accept his characterization as the original one. For this issue, we get a very honest (if not brutally so) conversation between Damian and his mother Talia. Back in the day, I never had any strong opinions about Talia but now I do. WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH THIS WOMAN? She literally controls her son and justifies that it's for his own good. She believes that being Robin is harmful for him but Damian definitely fights for it, asserting that becoming Robin is his best decision. In a last attempt to change his mind, Talia shows him a container where his clone brother is being nurtured, telling him that if he doesn't quit being Robin and accept the al Ghul legacy, then this clone baby will replace him instead.
She then claims to only want what was best for Damian and what was best for him is to abandon all notions of heroism--the things his father stood for as Batman--and join her in her conquests to rule the world under the supreme leadership of an al Ghul. It's his destiny, she keeps on saying. And, in the most poignant of moments, Damian's response to his mother's ridiculous proposal was:
Do you hear that sound? That was the sound of my heart breaking. The maternal instinct in me immediately wanted to wrap my arms around him and say: "Oh, yes, baby. Of course, I will! You're one of a kind. You can be whatever you want to be and I will support you because I trust and respect you enough to make your own choices. I am your mother and I'm proud of you because you will never do anything to make me love you less." But I'm not Damian's mother. It's Talia. And she replies. "NO. I am too much of a perfectionist." Seriously? You can't love your son because he wouldn't live up to the fantasy version you wanted for a child? WHAT THE HOLY LOKI FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU, TALIA? That's not even the worst part. As soon as Damian finalizes his decision to stay as Robin and fight with Dick Grayson, Talia then makes an official announcement: if Damian won't be her perfect son then he is now AN ENEMY OF THE AL GHULS. Yes, that's right. Cunt Bitch Talia just declared her son to be a sworn enemy of the League of Assassins and he is no longer welcome at her home. That means no mother-son dinner holidays, I suppose. Oh, and if he gets in her way, Talia will not hesitate to have him killed. You know, just to sweeten the deal. Again, WHAT THE HOLY LOKI FUCK, WOMAN? Being a mother is a privilege in itself. Being the mother to an amazing boy like Damian Wayne SHOULD BE AN HONOR.
Bitch, you cray-cray, okay? YOU CRAY-CRAY!!
RECOMMENDED: 8/10
In my review for the previous issue of Batman vs. Robin, I was just talking about the fact that I barely miss Bruce Wayne as Batman when, out of fucking nowhere, Damian Wayne casually asked a character named Oberon Sexton if he's Bruce Wayne. HOLY SHIT.
There I was, flipping through yet another action-packed Morrison issue, gushing over Clarke's illustrations of the fight scenes and then Damian starts deducing Sexton's fake English accent and concludes that he must be Bruce Wayne in disguise. For some reason, this shocked me and tickled me. If that is indeed Bruce Wayne then I was happy that Damian was the first one to realize it which shows that he's either a brilliant detective on his own or that he misses his father very much and would readily believe he has come back somehow from whatever hellhole dimension Darkseid sent him to back in Final Crisis.
But then again, look at that cover. It specifically says that Bruce Wayne is returning, and for some reason I didn't pay attention to it and just started reading the content inside. But I usually don't look at the words in the cover because yeah, there may be misnomer or intentional spoilers in it. It's a good thing I didn't because, as I've explained in the previous paragraph, I was so shocked to learn that Sexton may or may not be Bruce himself. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.
This second installment of the story arc Batman vs. Robin has so much material in it that my attention is all over the place, trying to piece together scene after scene. Alfred, Dick and Damian have just returned to Wayne Manor and they are already under attack from three different sources. Two of them I don't give a fuck about (some Mexican gang, a cult leader? Who cares?) while the last one is Talia al Ghul who is still playing puppet-master with her son like the douche-cunt she is. This time, she employs the help of Slade Wilson (a.k.a Deathstroke, a.k.a Sexy Australian Accent in CW's Arrow) to put on the helmet controlling Damian's body so he can dance-revo the fuck out of it. BECAUSE WHY NOT, TALIA, YOU CRAZY BITCH?! So Damian hits Sexton with a shovel and proceed to attack Dick immediately.
At this point I'm just laughing inside. A part of me feels bad for Damian for being literally controlled by his overbearing mother, while another part of me is kind of hoping Sexton will take off his disguise and reveals himself to be Bruce Wayne all along and stops Damian through the sheer power of his love. And then they cry together in each other's arms. They pull Dick towards them and they cry together again. And then I realized that I'm projecting my disgusting sentiments and expectations for Tomasi's own B&R series where Robin Rises will supposedly bring back Damian again in DCU. This was all wishful thinking. I'm sure Sexton is just a red herring and Dick is more than capable to handle Damian by himself. I shouldn't expect too much.
That's how you always get your nerd-heart broken, Eka.
RECOMMENDED: 8/10
Grant Morrison graces us with yet another three-issued arc entitled Batman vs. Robin and the issues were illustrated by no other than Andy Clarke whose work I became a fan of from New 52's Detective Comics written by John Layman a while back. In the next three issues, Clarke demonstrates just how exciting his artwork truly is and I think my favorite parts include the panels that need more detail than usual, considering this was supposed to be a spooky mystery story as well where Dick and Damian with Alfred uncover hidden passages in Wayne Manor where a hallway consisting of ancestral portraits may lead to clues as to the real location of Bruce Wayne who is trapped in another dimension thanks to Darkseid.
Now there's something very accessible about Morrison's B&R issues these days that relaxes me especially when they are mostly composed of fun-filled, action-packed scenarios that are so dynamic to look at in the pages that any convoluted plot thread seemed excusable. It was definitely that for me. Sometimes a comic book doesn't have to be insightful or deconstructive or philosophical (though I consider myself to be one of those people who always wants comic books to intellectually stimulate me). But a healthy dose of your quintessential superhero comic fodder is essential too, and I am enjoying the fuck out of these B&R issues that all my ratings from #7-12 will be consistently a solid 8.
Morrison's Damian Wayne is not really the Boy Wonder I fell in love with (it's Tomasi who ultimately defined this character for me), but I like his rebellious streak a lot even if he comes off too bratty for his own damn good. Besides, I believe that he's beginning to trust and care for Dick in his own stubborn way. I can't say the same about his relationship with his mother Talia Al Ghul who continues to challenge norms on maternal love and care. Ergo, she believes that her son is the perfect heir for her father's perfect kingdom so he has to be the perfect killing machine who will perfectly murder anyone she considers unworthy of being closely associated with Damian. To showcase what an utterly horrible mother she is, Talia surgically implanted some device in Damian's spine that allows her to control him physically by putting on some Cerebro-looking helmet and basically turning her son into a puppet and making him attack people at random. I guess she doesn't want any flowers and greeting cards for any Mother's Day event ever. God, Talia needs a new hobby. Turning your son into a monster is not good color on her.
The most peculiar thing about reading Batman and Robin for Morrison's run is the fact that I don't mind if Bruce Wayne doesn't come back just yet to allow Dick, Damian and Alfred some more time to grow together as a well-powered team because I'm frankly happy with the way things are going among the three. Unfortunately, Talia's around to ensure that Damian won't form healthy attachments with good people who actually accept him unconditionally, so that puts Damian in a tough spot. I can really sense that he's trying to change, and not give in to his murderous instincts. He is still a Wayne, not just an al Ghul.
Anyway, this was another fine issue that kept me turning the pages. I laughed every now and then too because there is some goofiness that balanced the what-the-fuckery in between. Loving the set-up. Loving Clarke's art.
RECOMMENDED: 8/10
Last issue, we witnessed a crazed Bruce Wayne clone emerged from the Lazarus Pit located somewhere underground in London. He escaped and arrived back in Gotham to confront an injured Alfred and a wheelchair-bound Damian Wayne. Meanwhile, Dick and Batwoman get trapped underground and separated from fellow vigilantes Knight and Squire. Batwoman is dying and she suggests one last resort to revitalize her. Understandably, she meant the Lazarus pit. Dick agrees because he trusted her enough to make that call.
Back in Gotham, Alfred and Damian join forces to bring down the fake Bruce and it was just pure awesomeness, especially on Alfred's end. The old butler can hold himself in a brutal confrontation. Also, he's wearing striped pajamas as he pulls the fake Bruce's cape from behind him and shuts the doors of the elevator to get said clone stuck on its doors. Not to be outdone in badassery, Damian then throws the goddamn wheelchair across the room to hit fake Bruce. For an elderly and a child, they sure know how to be resourceful with their attacks which is just bloody brilliant. Afterwards, clone Bruce manages to escape and chases after a limping Damian who manages to get him to step on an oil-soaked floor as he lights the entire thing on fire.
In underground London, Dick lays Batwoman gently into the Lazarus Pit. She later on emerges, fully healed and sporting a shorter haircut that looks even more badass. We then jump back to Gotham where the fucking clone Bruce survives the fire and proceeds to try to choke the life out of Damian. Alfred tries to interfere but then clone Bruce throws Damian off the top of the building. Punctually enough, Dick managed to arrive 25 minutes to Gotham from London and catches Damian just in time. It was...sheer coincidental luck and I didn't mind that because I was so amused watching Alfred whack the shit out of clone Bruce next, all the while still addressing him as "sir". Later on, both Dick and Batwoman then take turns beating the crap out of clone Bruce who is at this point beginning to decay. Back in London, Knight and Squire arrest King Coal. In Gotham, Dick, Alfred and Damian started talking about the confirmation that Bruce Wayne is indeed alive after all and now all they need to do is find him. Dick looks very hopeful about this while Damian is feeling unsure which is probably because (1) he is beginning to feel attached with Dick as Batman even though he will never openly admit it; and (2) he's going to have to find a way to accept his father back into his life, and Damian is not exactly a well-adjusted kid to begin with.
I had so much fun reading this because everything happened so fast and loose that turning each page was a hoot! This is the Morrison and Stewart's concluding issue for the Blackest Night story arc and it was so entertaining and ludicrous all throughout that I can overlook some questionable technical stuff. As much as I enjoy intellectually stimulating and symbolic storytelling when I read my comic books, I still love it when a comic book is unapologetically simple and violent in execution; where heroes in capes and tights just punch the fuck out of the baddies and get away unscathed and victorious. Blackest Night offered me that material and it never once bored me. I'm so happy that I decided to pick up this run because it's so easy to read and appreciate. It has this unique ability to put a smile on my face because it's silly and crazy in a good, non-pretentious way.
RECOMMENDED: 8/10
There is a simplicity to Grant Morrison's Batman and Robin that's often deceptive on the surface because we are talking about Morrison after all, and he always guarantees convoluted and bizarre plots are on the way. The striking thing about his writing is that you will always find yourself unprepared for it but over time it will start growing on you, gaining an unstoppable momentum until you just decide unconsciously to sit back and enjoy the show, all silliness and shocking poignancy included. At least it was like that for me.
So here I go again, reading and reviewing his B&R issues as a way to get ready for Damian Wayne's homecoming in New 52 DCU which doesn't scare me as much anymore. Coincidentally, in this series, Bruce Wayne himself is coming back from the dead, or at least that is what Dick was hoping for when he asked Knight and Squire to find a Lazarus pit so he could submerge Bruce's corpse in it.
Because, yeah, Dick, that's going to end well. You beautiful idiot.
This issue features Batwoman who is not exactly a part of the Bat-family but is more like a distant relative you only see during specific gatherings, often bewildered or amused of the other family members and their quirks. In this case, she's definitely not pleased that Dick decided to resurrect Bruce and yet although she was wary, she's also still supportive. She's there on a different mission, however, which happens to tie with the Lazarus pit discovery. This is important because some asshole is after her, determined to dispose of her. But let's focus on Dick's own side of the story which opens with who we assumed is Bruce bursting out of the pit. As we all know, someone who emerges from said pit will have momentary madness so when this Bruce starts acting crazy, Dick and the rest just decided to wait patiently for him to snap out of it--but then he doesn't. Lazarus pit-Bruce Wayne starts going after Dick, Knight, Squire and Batwoman. While fighting the crazed maniac, Dick realizes that it couldn't be Bruce at all. He asserts that though the fighting style is familiar, it's more like a good song being sung by a bad singer. There is a part of me that feels bad for the Bruce clone since he really believes he is the real Batman. Well, not really. He's not Bruce Wayne so why should we give a fuck?
While the four of them are caught in trying to apprehend him, the asshole who has it for Batwoman, some sleazy villain called King Coal, planted explosives around the cave where they are inside and once those exploded, they were separated by the large debris with Knight and Squire on the other side, and Dick and Batwoman on the other, and the latter is seriously injured. Dick and Batwoman had a heartfelt moment where she recognized who he is under that cowl and then she asked him to do something for her so they can save her life together. It was pretty awesome. During the explosion earlier, clone Bruce managed to escape, fly a bat-plane and head back to Gotham. Dick mentions that there is a shortcut from England to Gotham...and I just assume that Morrison knows whatever the hell he's talking about because that should explain why clone Bruce managed to land in the hotel (I failed to mention this but the Bat-gang is not staying in the bat-cave/Manor for some reason), find Alfred, beat him up, and then confront Damian inside who is still wheelchair-bound from the last story arc after he fought the Flamingo.
I had so much fun with this issue because it was just urgent, dangerous and action-packed. It was nice to see Dick and Batwoman work together and have that personal moment. Meanwhile, I was just excited when that clone Bruce stepped in to confront Damian while poor Alfred was on the floor with a concussion. As soon as that clone punched Alfred, whatever sympathy or pity I had for him was just gone. I immediately started reading the next issue to see what happens. Once again, Cameron Stewart illustrates this issue, and his panels and action sequences keep everything fast-paced and thrilling!
RECOMMENDED: 8/10
I have a week to go before I start on the December list for my Batman comics diet which will be composed of New 52 Batman Incorporated, two volumes of The Dark Knight, Batman-Superman issues and Knightfall volume 2. For now, I'm getting back on the old continuity era, particularly with Grant Morrison's Batman and Robin run whose first volume Batman Reborn instantly became a favorite of mine. Now I'm going to try and finish at least issues #7-16 this week although, realistically speaking, I may only able to manage to reach until #12. I can't believe I only have a whole month to go before my Bat-diet ends. I plan to pick up on my third wave by April 2015 instead because I have a list of fiction novels I need to get back to since I've pushed them aside for Batman, and I miss reading science fiction and books from other genre. Anyway, enough about this sideline announcement and let's jump right ahead with the three-issued story arc entitled Blackest Night.
The thing about me reading comics from DC's previous continuity while essentially more attuned with New 52 is that it often takes me awhile to calibrate my state of mind and I often only gain the momentum by the second or third installment of a certain story. That's a natural thing, isn't it? Reading issues 7-9 was exactly that for me, and I didn't mind the slight confusion because Morrison writes well enough to get me excited for the events unfolding in the pages. Final Crisis pronounced Bruce Wayne dead, and Dick Grayson won the cowl and is now operating as the new Batman with Bruce's son Damian Wayne as his sidekick Robin. In the last volume, on the story arc Revenge of the Red Hood, Jason Todd challenges the authenticity of Bruce Wayne's demise, asserting that the corpse they found before may not be his.
So this issue opens with Dick seriously considering that possibility so he contacts the English vigilantes Knight and Squire. But we don't find out about this until the later pages near the end because Morrison immediately throws us into an action sequence between Batman and the posh villain the Pearly Prince. Aided by Squire, Batman apprehends the Pearly Prince and questions him about the location of a Lazarus Pit. At this point, I knew what Dick is planning to do, and I almost can't read what happens next. As someone who is reading more New 52 material than the old, I should be less excited of what I'm reading because I know for a fact already that Bruce Wayne is not really dead and that he eventually does come back and Dick goes back to being Nightwing again. However, I still believe that the journey leading towards that destination is more important, and that I should enjoy the ride which I presently am.
Artist Cameron Stewart's illustrations are pulpy, conveying the tension for the more action-oriented scenes using impressive panel choices that help readers get a cinematic feel while the heroes go about their heightened chase and confrontation with the baddie. Dick talking about bringing back Bruce Wayne was insightful to his psyche at that moment. As much as I think Dick has embraced his role as the new Batman, I know that there is a part of him that hopes his former mentor and long-time friend can come back. I don't think he's resurrecting Bruce because he doesn't want the responsibilities of being the Dark Knight anymore; I think it has more to do with the fact that he believes Gotham City deserves Bruce Wayne as Batman more than him. It's not to say he's belittling himself, let alone his dedication and contribution to the crusade against crime; it's just that he knows he is not fighting for the same things as Bruce, and often the things Bruce fights for is what helps save the city.
This has been a great opener for Blackest Night. I was also quite pleased to see Batwoman at the end. I remember that I decided to get back to reading this series last week because I claimed that I was now ready to accept Damian Wayne back into my life and reading about him here in Morrison's work definitely doesn't hurt as much as I thought it would. I think that's a good sign to continue with this series then. Let's go, Batman and Robin!
RECOMMENDED: 8/10
In Grant Morrison's re-imagining of Batman and Robin, Batman Reborn features Nightwing Dick Grayson and former first Robin as the new Batman, taking up the mantle from Bruce Wayne after the events that followed Final Crisis, Batman RIP and Battle for the Cowl. This first volume collects six issues comprising of two story arcs that are sure to tantalize and excite readers, both long-time Bat-fans and novices alike. Morrison, collaborating with artists Frank Quitely and Philip Tan, has offered a varied scope of narrative and visual style in said arcs. I have never enjoyed a Batman and Robin volume as much as I did with this one and it could even rival my undying love for Peter J. Tomasi's own first B&R volume for New 52, Born To Kill.
It's hardly surprising that both volumes feature Damian Wayne as the Boy Wonder (MY Robin now and forever) though I would ascertain at this point that Tomasi's characterization of Damian was more nuanced, sympathetic and relatable than that of original creator Morrison's. Still, Damian's headstrong and arrogant personality is perfectly befitting for the stories Morrison has told for this volume, particularly on the budding partnership between him and new Batman Dick Grayson. But this relationship is not exactly the major drive or dramatic focal point of the series as of yet, at least for the first two story arcs in this volume. I originally intended to read only this first volume but seeing as I'm intrigued and now heavily invested on the promising series as a whole, I plan to continue and finish at least the sixteen issues written by Morrison before the year ends.
The first arc Batman Reborn ran for three issues with a story that was simple yet entertaining enough, and features one of the most messed-up villains to ever grace comic book pages: Professor Pyg, a thoroughly enthusiastic fetishist of body parts who created his army of Dollotrons not for any grand evil scheme to take over Gotham (though he did have enough egomania and wits to attempt said kind of takeover) but mostly because he considers people as imperfect mechanisms that need to be tweaked and fixed to serve a higher, twisted purpose of his own making. I loathed him but he had enough cartoonish villainy to keep me engrossed whenever he's on the page. I always enjoy a Bat-villain when he's not always so broody or gritty. It helps to be reminded the campier aspects of being an antagonist in a Batman story and Morrison has readily established that with Pyg. Being a Damian fan firstly, I was always gripped whenever a conflict involves him, and this arc offered us a glimpse of Dick's struggle to make Damian follow commands and actually work with him as a partner. Though he begrudgingly accepts Dick as the new Batman, Damian still believes he is better off working alone--which was something Morrison was quick enough to nip on the bud, giving Damian a rather humbling moment when he realized that there's a reason why it's Batman and Robin against crime to begin with. Still, Damian has a long way to go and develop and I am hoping that the traits that I adored most about him in Tomasi's own run will at least surface here in this title.
It is the second arc Revenge of the Red Hood that defined this volume, however. It was another three-issued story that explored the dangers of living behind a mask which was epitomized with Jason Todd (second Robin) as Red Hood and his freshly recruit sidekick Scarlet (a victim who survived Professor Pyg from the earlier issues). It's notable that Red Hood and Scarlet are also the darker reflections of Batman and Robin themselves if they crossed the line and extinguished crime by any violent means necessary. I had so much blissful fun reading this story because the pacing and plot together was definitely one of the most well-balanced combinations I have ever seen in a while. I maintain that there was no dull moment in place; each scene felt meaningful and necessary while the action sequences are brisk, dynamic and immensely gripping. There are also great character moments for Jason Todd and secondary character Scarlet herself who unexpectedly took over the pages with her heartfelt struggle to overcome her victimization by finally claiming back her face in a literal and symbolic display of courage and tenacity. As for Jason Todd, he is clearly more damaged about Bruce Wayne's demise than he himself realized. He just absolutely loses his shit and starts killing off criminals in a pitiful attempt to show Dick Grayson that it should have been him who took the Bat-cowl, while also blaming Dick for imagined failures such as not being good enough as the second Robin. I've always been conflicted about Jason Todd as a character. I don't consider him a favorite but he is definitely interesting to read especially his fractured relationship with Bruce and the consequential identity crisis that came from it. I've heard comparisons between Jason and Damian before and it was only in this story arc that I began to see them. I hope that Jason/Red Hood comes back in the next issues for this run because I definitely want to see him interact/fight Dick and Damian. I love my Bat-boys that much.
Everything about Grant Morrison's Batman Reborn was full of energy and vibrancy with a few touches of poignancy and character insight to keep its story dimensional and afloat. It's been a while since I've been excited about a Batman series besides my favorite Snyder and Tomasi ones, and I very much look forward to continuing the next issues soon! Now be a good Bat-fan and pick up this volume and experience the magic yourself!
RECOMMENDED: 10/10
Of all the formidable names to choose that will strike fear and terror in the hearts of people, why on Loki' green visage would you choose a flamingo, Eduardo, thrown-in villain of this issue of your ugly namesake? REALLY, man?
Look, I'm well-aware that flamingos are nasty fuckers even if they share the color of cotton candy. I've seen documentaries and they're just as deceivingly aesthetically appealing as goddamn dolphins (who are the psychopaths of the sea, okay? Don' fool yourself just because they seem to be smiling. The Joker smiles because his mouth is stuck that way. Same with dolphins, and they will take pleasure in harming you the next time you swim next to them, make no mistake). But wearing that pink color as your trademark look, Mr. Flamingo, is the undoing of any kind of frightening presence you may have. Or maybe it heightens the creep factor because how ridiculously repugnant would it be to watch your favorite superhero get beaten up by a man wearing that loud shade of pink? Well, it's pretty disturbing based from what I've seen here. It's the same feeling I got when I read Professor Pyg strip-tease before Damian a couple of issues earlier.
God, whenever Morrison allows himself to have crazy fun with his gimmicks and narrative choices, he really knows how to amp up the discomfort factor. This time was no different.
I think I should mention that I have despised the pink color for as long as I could remember and this Batman and Robin cover issue was a tragedy for me, albeit a comical one to look at too. But I NEVER WANT TO SEE a Batman comic book in that color EVER AGAIN!
As the final issue of the Revenge of the Red Hood story arc, this had enough punches--literally and metaphorically. Morrison gave Batman, Robin, Red Hood and Scarlet a common enemy to fight against and it's a great action sequence because you get to see how much Dick holds back during the fight while the rest of them take turns employing whatever violent means necessary to dispose of Flamingo. In the end, it was Scarlet who attacked him the worst and it was quite the cathartic moment for her. There was also that one scene earlier where Damian actually admitted to Dick that he felt responsible for what happened to Sasha because he was unable to save her. That was a great character moment for Damian and I should hope to see him soften up in the later issues. There is this brittle strength and casual arrogance to this kid that does get under my nerves. And he was supposed to be my favorite Robin of all!
One thing I noticed after I finished reading is that it really has been consistently a redemption story for Jason Todd and Sasha but more so with the latter. As soon as the dust has settled and cleared up, Jason still refused to acknowledge his faults. He still believes that what he did to 'save' Gotham was an acceptable route even when it was his disregard for the city's safety and extremist ways that got the attention of the killing machine Flamingo in the first place. But he would never admit this because admitting it is surrender, a compromise he will never choose because he just hates Dick Grayson for being the perfect golden boy he believes is a reflection of his own failure as Robin. I simultaneously want to hug and punch him for believing so.
As for Sasha: I actually enjoyed this character even if she only appeared for three issues. We might even consider her as the very heart of the story, a character whose development contained the writer's message about the dangers of living with a mask on. I cared about her because Morrison wanted us to sympathize with her demons because it's something we have been through at one point in our lives, which is the loss of a tangible identity we can hold onto while the rest of the world around us is swallowed by chaos. I had my own share, which was why stories like this one with characters who undergo this kind of conflict always have a soft spot in my heart. I think Morison handled Sasha's brief character arc very well especially the way he resolved it. It was a happy ending for her and that was quite nice.
I can't say the same for Jason. He and Dick clearly have to bury a colossal hatchet one of these days. Look at this exchange:
SIGHS. My sweet boys, just find a way to get along!
Overall, I am so happy I decided to read this series. I had a fabulous time. This has been an immensely satisfying story arc and I can't wait to start writing my official review for the first volume of the collected six issues of Batman and Robin: Batman and Reborn next!
RECOMMENDED: 9/10
"Batman is dead. And I'm taking his mission to the next level...Gotham doesn't need crime fighters. It needs crime killers."
This was simply breathtakingly MARVELOUS. The second installment for Revenge of the Red Hood entitled Scarlet had no dull moments AT ALL. There are only a few comic books out there that make me excitedly turn page after page because of sustainable interest and thrill and Morrison's three-part story arc has easily become one of them. There was no dread or hesitation on my part as I read this (I would often feel such things even if a comic book story is not necessarily badly written; sometimes I just don't want to turn the next page due to this distinct gloomy feeling that I know is coming and would only break my heart. For example, many of Jamie Delano's Hellblazer issues that I read last month). But all I got from this series so far is utter relief and unmistakable pleasure, so this only showed how my enjoyment for this story arc was purely visceral that all I had to do was to go along with it.
Morrison has worked with a different artist for this story arc which I failed to mention in the previous issue. Artist Philip Tan and his illustrations are most provocative here, especially since a great amount of Scarlet was action-packed and he clearly knows how to visually depict said scenes in all their purposeful glory. The confrontational scenes with Dick and Damian against the Red Hood and Scarlet particularly (who had first-person narrative boxes during the issue so we finally learned that her real name was Sasha) were stupendously readable and fast-paced in a measure that you won't even notice because you were so hooked in everything that was going on. I think this issue worked so well because it managed to build up the suspense and revelations up to the very end without so much as a breather in between. It was almost as if Morrison is suffocating me while I willingly allowed him to shove my head under the water because I actually didn't mind holding my breath as I read on.
But it wasn't just the action sequences that made this issue shine. There were also great character moments here that make you care about these people even if you don't necessarily agree with what they are doing. Such is the case with Jason Todd and Sasha. Crime has claimed their lives in a rotten way and they're so caught up in their rage issues that they blindingly believe that their intentions are unquestionably good, never mind how hideous the results are as long as they can fill the void inside them. Still, they are driven by different stimulus and purpose with goals that only parallel each other. I was right to say that Jason Todd is grieving the loss of Bruce Wayne and felt so entitled to carry on the legacy of his former mentor, but then desires to take it to the next level since he perceives Batman's code of honor as a mere flaw in the mechanism. Jason's resentment toward Dick stems from the insecurity and envy that made him believe that Bruce has always seen him as a second-rated version of the first Robin, one he can never live up to. So it makes such painful sense that he loathed Dick taking over Batman's cowl. It was yet another disgraceful validation that he will never be good enough to become Batman himself.
It was...disheartening to read Jason think that even though it isn't necessarily untrue either. He may not be a favorite character of mine but his character arc has always been something I always eagerly read whenever the opportunity presents itself because it's so complex and angst-y. Sasha is another character that I believe echoes Jason's struggles with his identity and purpose. She has become her mask Scarlet because she's afraid that there is no one tangible underneath that. In a way, they're both lost children who found an ally in each other because they feel as though they need to lash out to the world, to Gotham and its scum, for taking away their chance at a normal life. As much as I can justify their actions, I also can condemn them. The world is a tough place all over. "It rains on the just and the unjust alike" as they say and we need to be stronger than our suffering. And that's what Batman stands for. Dick Grayson embraces this while Jason Todd cannot. And therein lies their difference.
You would think that with such a fast-paced narrative that Morrison won't find time to focus on character conflict and make it this meaningful but he did and that's why I devoured this issue a lot because there are symbolic messages here in general that subtly tackle the dangers of living a double life and clinging onto self-righteous fury to serve your need for vengeance. In a way, this story arc is more about Red Hood and Scarlet than Batman and Robin which works because I think Dick and Damian themselves are more concerned with fixing the mess Jason has got himself in than worry about the status of their partnership. I would say that Damian's characterization here is coming off too smug and impulsive, a truly darkest contrast to the version of what Peter J. Tomasi in the New 52 B&R has evolved to.
I need to end this review now because I think I've said enough and the last installment issue coming after this is quite the conclusion to such a short-lived yet memorable story.
RECOMMENDED: 9/10
"One of the first things Batman warned me about when I started out as Robin was how easily a hood can become a blindfold."
We need to talk about Jason Todd.
But before that, I think it helps to know that Grant Morrison's takeover of the Batman and Robin title means that we will be getting stories that were directly consequential of the events from Final Crisis, Batman RIP and Battle for the Cowl storylines. In this case, Bruce Wayne is dead, and that demise has sent a ripple effect in all of Gotham where the former first Robin Dick Grayson has to wear the Dark Knight mask in the meantime. A year after B&R, Morrison will also write Batman Incorporated which answers what Bruce Wayne had been doing all this time after he was declared deceased. In the meantime, Dick is Batman and Damian Wayne is his Robin.
I don't think I will ever refer to Dick as Batman in my succeeding reviews for this title because, as much as I did enjoy him in Snyder's The Black Mirror and in here, I'm just not comfortable generally calling him Batman. Bruce Wayne is irreplaceable no matter how much good of a job Dick has been doing in the past four issues I have read here so far. However, if there is anyone who could fill the role temporarily, Dick Grayson is the perfect candidate. Everyone knows it. Even Damian himself who outwardly criticizes Dick's leadership secretly acknowledges that Dick can handle being Batman.
Everyone can agree that Dick is doing his best to fulfill the role he had more than earned...everyone except, of course, Jason Todd.
So we need to talk about Jason Todd.
Revenge of the Red Hood is the second story arc for Morrison's B&R and it starts with this issue entitled Red Right Hand. Since you are reading this review, I'm just going to assume that you're familiar with Jason Todd's complicated role and history in the Bat-family. If you're not, and you're fine with spoiler galore, then here we go: He was the Robin who followed Dick Grayson, and one whose aggression and rebellious streak had gotten him into trouble a few times until one day he went too far and ended up getting captured by the Joker and was subsequently killed by him (Death in the Family). Batman was unable to save him but Jason was revived when he was taken to the Lazarus Pit where his body was repaired and he lay low for a while so he can get stronger. After an ample amount of time, he came back to Gotham (Under the Red Hood) and forced Bruce to admit to him the real reason why he couldn't even kill the Joker to avenge him (Bruce replied that he simply wouldn't cross that line and break his code no matter how angry and painful it was to lose Jason). It was a very dramatic dialogue exchange which only fractured the relationship between him and Jason.
I don't think they ever fully got past this. So you can only imagine why we need to talk about Jason Todd here, considering he is the main focus for this story arc. The basic fact is that he could never forgive Bruce and now that Bruce is dead and Dick had taken over as the new Batman, Jason just...lost his shit. Well, the man is already walking the line of rage and insanity and though he never wanted to associate with Batman and the rest of the family anymore, I think there will always be a part of him who feels entitled to the mantle left by Bruce. And that's why he was on a one-man mission to clean up Gotham streets from crime but he's exactly what Batman would have been if he crossed the lines and went extreme. Interestingly enough, Jason has found his own Robin, Professor Pyg's victim whom Damian was unable to say last issue and he named her Scarlet. Said girl still has that Dollotron face mask and she seems afraid to take it off (whether it's because it might rip her facial skin off, or she's actually becoming her hideous mask the more she aids the Red Hood in his bloody crusade). This is a dynamic that mirrors Dick and Damian's own relationship since they themselves are still finding the right balance and rhythm to their partnership. It's like a twisted yet more functional version of Batman and Robin--if they were full-on killers.
I'm liking the elements of this story arc a lot. There is enough action and drama to go around, and the eventual first confrontation between Batman and Robin and Red Hood and Scarlet at the end of this issue holds weight and promise. Once again, I'll start reading the next issues once I posted this review. This is getting more and more exciting, guys! God, I can't believe I have to go back to reading Tony Daniel's second volume of Detective Comics again next week.
Thank Loki there's also Morrison's B&R to keep my sanity intact.
Hell of an adventure, this was. Reading the first three issues of Grant Morrison's Batman and Robin: Batman Reborn was very much reminiscent of the first two issues of his Batman Incorporated stuff in which I had so much unadulterated fun. See, I'm the kind of reader who enjoys self-harm through agonizing, gritty and potentially devastating story to my emotional health, but I likewise enjoy it when I can read a comic book and just have a great jolly time. And this was exactly what the three-issued story arc Batman Reborn was like for me. Quitely's illustrations are simply the perfect accompaniment to Morrison's writing, bringing about the action and suspense to life in every page.
Entitled Mommy Made of Nails, this immediately picks up from the cliffhanger of the previous issue where Damian Wayne goes solo to prove to Dick that he can do things his way (dammit), but then, in a not-so-surprising twist, gets caught by Professor Pyg and his circus minions--and unexpected hilarity ensued. But before that, the first sequence of the story starts with Dick as Batman interrogating a suspect by dragging his tied-up body across the highway. Excessive tactic? Commissioner Gordon seems to think so but it successfully goaded some answers from said suspect. Dick then takes care of business and tries to prevent a sickness from spreading in Gotham. I really loved how Gordon obviously disapproved of Dick's interrogation style and asked, "WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?" to which Dick calmly responded. "I'm Batman". That was pretty sweet. I could see that he's finally starting to get comfortable wearing his new identity on his sleeve and not apologize for how he will go about adapting it.
Meanwhile, Damian gets tied up to a chair and subjected to a horrendous yet comedic..er, villain speech? Is that what it was? It was so uncomfortable to read. Halfway through the panels I giggled due to anxiety and bafflement. I have no idea how Damian even managed to keep a straight face while he had to listen to this...strip-tease/guilt admission sequence with the most nonsensical monologue in the history of villain speeches EVER--and it was as hilarious as it was bizarre. I suppose it's because he was preoccupied with untying himself so he can accordingly proceed to GET THE FUCK AWAY from Pyg and not have his innocence further violated. But see for yourself what the hell I'm talking about:
Oh...kay. There are just some moments in comics where I need to wash myself with brain bleach and this might be one of those special exceptions. Hell, I can hardly blame Damian for immediately springing into action as he starts punching and kicking Dollotrons out of his way so he doesn't have to interact with that nasty Professor Pyg anymore. I know I would do the same. This Damian-action sequence of circus horrors happen side-by-side with Dick's own action sequence where he gets sneezed at by stray Dollotrons roaming around Gotham. We then jump back to Damian who could not save a female captive of Pyg's because he wasn't as focused as he believed to be, nor an effective multi-tasker as it turns out. I must say that Pyg man-handling Damian in a page made me cringe and it was a saving grace that Dick arrived in the nick of time to prevent any...rape to occur. Not that I really believe Pyg will sexually assault Damian or anything but the possibility is still there. AND OH MY GOD WHY AM I EVEN ENTERTAINING THAT THOUGHT? WHERE IS THE BRAIN BLEACH, DAMMIT?!
Damian and Dick finally started working well together for the next few pages as they apprehended and beat up Pyg and his Dollotrons. GCPD and Gordon took care of the rest. Meanwhile, Damian still insist to win something out of a childish need to be right and be taken seriously so he asserts that if they are going to be the new dynamic duo, then they should be called Robin and Batman instead. Dick doesn't feel like he needs to argue because, who knows, the new name might catch on. As the issue reaches its conclusion, we get a shocking revelation where the victimized nameless girl that Damian failed to save earlier has now been recruited by no other than Red Hood to fight for his war on crime. The next story arc Revenge of the Red Hood is officially starting and I am at the height of my excitement for the series. Everything looks great. Everything has been action-packed so far, filled with sleek characterizations and interesting conflicts that are on the rise. I NEED TO KEEP READING MORE OF THIS!
RECOMMENDED: 8/10
This is just fantastic. I'm so relieved that I'm reading a Batman series again that makes me happy especially when I actually care about the characters and the stuff that are happening to them within an issue. It's Grant Morrison after all and I can always trust him to bring me suspenseful and action-packed stories. I'm a fan of his Batman Incorporated run whose first nine issues in 2009 before DC rebooted really got me hooked (I'll be reading his New 52 Bat-Inc. stuff by next month, actually). So far, The quality of the action and storytelling that was featured here in The Circus of the Strange was enough to keep me invested and dully excited for the plot that is unfolding before me.
Quitely's artwork is superbly and massively thrilling to look at especially the pages that involved the varied fighting styles that define Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne as their individual heroes. Those pages were fun to read especially since I got to see Dick in action, using his signature acrobatic moves while he's wearing the Batman costume. They were wonderful to behold; they also reminded me that Dick is the first Robin and one whom I've always loved because he was such a perfect complement to Batman long ago. Now that he has taken over the role of his surrogate father as the Dark Knight, Dick is still making adjustments, mainly on his relationship with the new Robin, Bruce's own son, who has a natural streak of aggression to him that Dick has yet to figure out how to handle.
Speaking of the handsome devil, Damian Wayne was gleefully violent in this issue as expected, employing quick, brutal tactics during his fight scenes. If it was any other character, they would have been caught dead by now, but Damian has the skills and abilities to back up his arrogance--to a certain extent. Since this is the start of their partnership, Damian still refuses to cooperate and work wholeheartedly with Dick. Sometimes you tend to forget how young and impulsive he truly is until you see him arguing with adults and disobeying orders just because he believes he is beyond reproach. This makes sense or me, seeing as he had a peculiar treatment from childhood (being raised by a group of assassins had hardened this boy far too early on). Reading this old Damian in light of recent events in Tomasi's on New 52 run makes me smile. He is MY Robin although he certainly has a lot of growing up to do in this series. Just look how stubborn he, insisting that he can do things by himself as he disrespects Dick by pointing out that he will never replace Bruce as Batman:
As for the titular Batman's character arc development, I'm understandably very keen to read more about Dick Grayson as the new Batman as he grows and embraces the cowl as his own. His character conflict stems from the fact that he feels like he has to fill in the shoes of a great man by compromising his individuality in the process. It's a great thing that Alfred corrects this mind-set early on. They had a great exchange which made me appreciate Dick even more as Batman. I love Bruce Wayne now and forever and he will always be the ONLY Batman for me, but if there was ever anyone who can don the cowl in his stead, it's Dick Grayson all the way. He brings so much life and energy to Batman in a way I haven't seen before and that's why I look forward to him getting more comfortable and at ease with the role he has to fill in the wake of all that has happened. I just wish that Damian would cut him some slack soon and realize that Dick is not trying to replace Bruce at all, especially not when it comes to the paternal role that Damian obviously needs. I can't freaking wait once these two finally start seeing things in their own respective perspectives and form a camaraderie. The issue ends with Damian going off by himself and steps into Professor Pyg's trap. That cliffhanger moment guarantees some exciting moments ahead. I'm going to read on as soon as I post this review!
I'll end this with Alfred's encouraging words:
RECOMMENDED: 8/10
Sometimes jumping back and forth reading between the New 52 continuity and old continuity Batman can be strenuous but still a worthwhile journey when the writers who handle a specific title are very much capable of sustaining interest and imagination. I don't really get confused about the storylines because I can always check sources online. Besides, I like reading both continuities simultaneously when it concerns my Batman. It's like I'm time-traveling through comics!
Now anyone who has ever followed my reviews would know that Peter J. Tomasi's Batman and Robin for New 52 is my second favorite Bat-title EVER and I just finished reading and reviewing its latest issue pertaining to the second part of the Robin Rises story arc. It only seems appropriate that I go back to its predecessor series when Grant Morrison was the writer. Originally, I intended to only review the first three issues of old-continuity Batman and Robin entitled Batman Reborn but if I ended up enjoying myself with what the rest of the series has to offer (there are 25 issues in total; 16 of which are penned by Morrison. Hell, even Tomasi himself wrote for it in issues #20-22 and were illustrated by Gleason as well), I might still pick this up starting from the fourth issue afterwards. We shall see...
A brief background for this title: this series was launched in the aftermath of the Final Crisis event and directly follows up Batman R.I.P (Bruce Wayne died at the hands of the villain Darkseid), and then by Battle for the Cowl where it was decided who was going to take over as the new Batman (it's Dick Grayson). Now I loved Dick Grayson as Batman and Scott Snyder's The Black Mirror will always be my favorite story arc that included him. However, I'm also a rabid Damian Wayne fan and I acknowledge that Morrison created that character and I'm very interested to see how he was characterized for this title, and his relationship with Grayson as the new Batsy and Boy and Wonder respectively. So I'm already invested and pumped for this, especially since Tomasi's ongoing series is still a loose continuation of Morrison's run.
The first issue was a great introduction enough. We immediately see Dick as Batman and Damian as Robin having a car chase with this villain called Mr. Toad who is definitely an amphibian fellow of his namesake. No important information is given yet regarding his motivations for crime but he's been apprehended by the Dynamic Duo and does look like he still has some trick under his sleeve. I'm especially curious about the suitcase of dominoes he's been carrying around. They look like significant plot devices. We also get a surprise villain at the end of the pages, Professor Pyg who has a strong penchant (read: fetish) for constructive surgeries (read: mutilation) performed (read: forced) on human bodies. He's terribly horrific and I can't wait to read more of him.
The character arc for this issue focuses on the early stages of Dick and Damian's relationship as partners. It features the Damian Wayne I knew at the beginning when he was too headstrong and argumentative for his own good. I know for a fact that they will develop a closer bond as time goes on and as evidenced in Tomasi's run, but for now I am enjoying the tension in their dynamic, especially Alfred being caught in the middle and offering Dick counsel. For his part, Dick is still getting used to the Bat-cowl but he has plenty enough experience as Bruce's sidekick to carry on and hopefully define the mask on his own terms. Damian is resisting him right now but can put aside his personal opinion for the sake of compliance during missions. So far, I am liking the direction of this narrative. I've missed Damian since his demise in the current continuity but now that it's been announced that he's coming back, I suppose I will contend myself with Morrison's past series in the meantime.
Artist Frank Quitely's illustrations are instantly gripping. I like how he designs the characters in general which was reminiscent of some of the gorgeous visual landscapes of the Batman Incorporated pages even though I'm well aware that Quitely never worked for that title. I am familiar with him through his artwork from New X-Men, however, and I really think his style and depiction of the sequences suited Morrison's writing so far.
This is a promising start. I'm gonna start reading the next issues now after I finished typing this review.
RECOMMENDED: 8/10
