Monday, September 3, 2012

Batman & Robin: Batman vs. Robin/Grant Morrison

Batman & Robin:  Batman vs. Robin by Grant Morrison, et al.; graphic novel, superheroes; 160 pages

Following the events of Batman Reborn, Dick and Damien are recovering from their battle with Red Hood, aka Jason Todd.  Damien's injuries were serious enough that his mother, Talia al Ghul, feels the need to step in for some cutting edge medical techniques that can save her son.  Meanwhile, Dick travels to England with a dark mission of his own in mind. 

This book collects two arcs:  Blackest Knight, in which Dick attempts to resurrect Bruce Wayne with a Lazarus Pit, and Batman vs. Robin, where the full extent of Talia's "medical help" appears in the form of mind control--designed, of course, to turn Damien into the perfect assassin against Batman. 

First, Blackest Knight:  Okay, Dick.  I understand that you're grieving and that you miss Bruce, and that you're willing to try anything to bring him back.  But let's take a moment to consider the last member of the Bat-family brought back to life in a Lazarus Pit.  It shouldn't be too hard to think of, since you were fighting him in the last book.  Yeah, Jason Todd wasn't the most stable person to begin with, but the Pit didn't do him any favors--he's a super-villain now!  And now you're taking the risk that Bruce might come back the same way????  I take some comfort in your realization that you were wrong, and your willingness to back up Tim Drake now, but I'm beginning to question your judgement as Batman....

I enjoyed the Batman vs. Robin story much more:  the twist at the end was classic Morrison, and we got to see some character growth from Damien, so that I was less inclined to punch him that in previous volumes. 

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