Batman and Robin, Vol. 2: Batman vs. Robin (edition 2010)

Recently, I reviewed the graphic novel, Batman and Robin, Volume One: Batman Reborn. Here, I will review Volume Two: Batman vs. Robin. The two story lines in this edition, collected over several issues of the comic series, deal with the evidence of Bruce Wayne's continued existence beginning to appear. He is alive and hurtling through time. The stories also complete the arc of showing the growth of Damian Wayne (Bruce's biological son) from a cruel, arrogant, snot-nosed little brat, to a true hero.

In the first of the two stories, Dick Grayson, the new Batman, is in England chasing down criminals with the help of England's own costumed heroes, Knight and Squire. Squire is assisting Batman on a particular case when they discover that the criminals are members of an ancient cult, who believe they have the means to bring a destructive god to life and conquer the forces of the over-class. Basically it's thieves meets a twisted vision of social justice meets a doomsday cult.

By examining the evidence, Dick finds out that the holy ground they were going to use to bring their dark champion forth is a never-used Lazarus Pit, which could possibly bring back someone to life. It's a long-shot given how much time had passed since Bruce's death, but he tries to resurrect him via submerging his body in the pit.... and it doesn't work. The reason why leads to the conclusion that Bruce is still very much alive.

There is a side story where Damian, unable to assist Dick as he's undergoing surgery to heal his injuries he sustained while battling the Red Hood and other villains, is given something a little “extra” by his mother, Talia al Ghul's orders. And the little “extra” done to him in the surgery completely crosses Talia over to complete monster territory.

The second story deals with Dick and Damian both as their civilian identities, and as Batman and Robin, trying to find any evidence Bruce left for them in his travels through time. All of this comes to a near-disastrous confrontation as Damian gets angry with Dick, thus giving his mother the chance to utilize his lack of emotional calm to activate a device surgically implanted on Damian's spine. The implant being the little “extra” she gave him in the surgery. She then tries to use the device to force him to fight and kill a battle-weary Dick. It doesn't work, largely because Damian fights it. Through this, and the confrontation afterwards with his mother, Damian finally becomes a true hero, and becomes someone you'd want to genuinely root for.

It was great to see the dynamic between Dick and Damian as they grow to trust each other. For all of the amazing fighting skills, gadgets, and intellectual abilities of Batman and his allies, the series has always been more about the family and human dynamics between these characters. Here this is no different. This book was fun, and moved the story along, and was not as violent as some of the comics can at times be. And I must say that the art was amazing, and quite vivid. If the art is mediocre, this can ruin a comic, but here it was beautiful. Understated at times, perhaps, but still beautiful. Give this a read.

Highly Recommended. ( )

I know that many people like Grant Morrison but I am not a big fan of his current run of Batman stories. This edition is no different. I do like the character identifications from children's literature but things are being stretched a bit far. As always, the Bat-family is too large. My biggest complaint is a bit of a spoiler so I will I keep to myself. ( )

As Damian (the new Robin) mends from his spinal injury, the acting Batman (Dick Grayson) is in England, where he attempts to revivify the original Batman with a Lazarus pit. Things go awry, and the action returns to Wayne Manor, where Dick finds clues that Batman was not killed, but sent to the past where he has left clues to his whereabouts (whenabouts?). Damian finds to his dismay that his mother, Talia, has used his recuperation to use biofeedback devices to seize control of his body and attempt to kill Dick Grayson (for a start). This, of course, leads to some awkwardness between mother and son. It does force Damian to declare his loyalty to the cause he now fights for, which is a refreshing change in the little brat. Sometimes entertaining, but this is a bit of a convoluted mess of a storyline. ( )