Review: Batman and Robin 1

Posted by nerdblog

on June 3, 2009M at 10:48 pm

Writer Grant Morrison teams up with his “All-Star Superman” and “New X-Men” collaborator, artist Frank Quitely, for “Batman and Robin” No. 1, and the result is the best comic-book launch of 2009 to date.

I often have excessively high expectations for DC event-type comics, but this issue met them all, with the new Batman and Robin beginning their partnership in an issue that felt both fresh and respectful of the past.

At the conclusion of “Battle for the Cowl,” Dick Grayson, the first Batman, has taken on the role of Batman, taking over for his mentor, even though he hoped he’d never have to. He’s assisted by Damian, the son of the original Batman. Damian is a bit of a hothead, but has the skills to back it up.

It makes for great Batman-Robin interplay, and it’s something we haven’t seen before. I’m not sure where this puts the former Robin, Tim Drake, but dramatically speaking Dick and Damian make for a fun team.

Batman and Robin have a new, flying Batmobile, a new Batcave, and new, very creepy villains introduced this issue.

This is the accessible, exciting launch I had hoped “Batman RIP” and “Final Crisis” would be. Morrison is writing a great “Batman” take that can be read by anyone.

“There’s a new Batman and Robin,” you could say, “read this.” And people would instantly be able to follow along. Yes, Morrison’s run to date and “Battle for the Cowl” inform the story, but all you need to know is on the page.

“This is it,” says the new Batman during the story. “Batman and Robin. Together again for the first time.”

– Matt Price

Click past the cut for preview art from “Batman and Robin” No. 1