RSS
Home
Comicdom's new hit: 'Batman & Robin'
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
This Robin is dour and mean
Marvel has been flooding the comic-store shelves with must-read series for the last few weeks. "Captain America," "Dark Avengers," "Black Panther," "Ms. Marvel" and "Dark Avengers" are fascinating, challenging and strikingly original. DC's series have been faltering as of late, but with the introduction of "Batman & Robin," maybe the DC folks have something they can really brag about.
Written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Frank Quitely, "Batman & Robin" offers a modern take on the Dynamic Duo. For those of you who haven't trekked to your local shop recently, keep this in mind: Bruce Wayne, the orginal Batman is missing and presumed dead. Dick Grayson, his one-time ward and the first Robin, has taken over. The new Robin is actually Batrman's illegitimate son, a dour fellow known as Damian, who has been trained in combat by his mother, who just happens to be the daugher of the original Batman's greatest enemy. (Sorry bout all that blather, non comic-book-geeks)
Anyway, what we've got here - and what makes the premise of the series so compelling - is a relatively happy Batman and a taciturn Robin. It's a reversal of the classic relationship between the two characters. For decades, Batman was driven, angry, and never much fun, and kept a Robin around to add a light-hearted element to his travails. Robin always cracked jokes. While Batman was trying to punish criminals, Robin was absolutely thrilled to swing from a Bat-rope or ride in a Bat-mobile.
The premise is a clever one. After years of Batman as sourpuss, why not try something new. And the art is stunning. DC has a very poor track record at maintaining the quality of its new series for more than 12 issues or so, but until the series runs out of steam, it's well worth your time.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
