‘Batman vs. Robin #1’ Review (DC Comics)
Written by Mark Waid | Art by Mahmud Asrar | Published by DC Comics
I wish I wasn’t such a sucker for books like this but c’mon, who can’t resist picking up a book called this, with a cover like this, and featuring the blurb ‘father vs son for the fate of the DCU’. That was enough to reel me in, but when I saw that Mark Waid was writing this, I was all in. I tend to find that Waid always understands his characters so well, so he can take a throwaway editorial edict (hey, let’s have Batman FIGHT Robin) and actually make it not only work but also add something extra to the mythology.
Let’s be honest, though, Batman has been in conflict with Robin from the start. He fell out with Dick Grayson, has had a rocky relationship with Tim Drake, struggles to control Damian Wayne, and let’s not get started on Jason Todd. Mark Waid needs to really pull something out from the hat here to throw some originality into this particular pot. Waid starts with a nice double-page spread, recapping where we currently find Damian Wayne, a boy with divided loyalties. Where does his path lie? As heir to the Al Ghul empire, or as a partner to Batman? I’m guessing we’ll know soon enough.
A rainy night at stately Wayne Manor, Gotham City. Bruce is back, but just to check-in. He no longer lives at Wayne Manor, having moved into Gotham City proper. He’s back, but he doesn’t know why. It’s as though something drew him here. That’s when Alfred turns up. Yep, Alfred Pennyworth, currently deceased. This must be an imposter, right? Bruce thinks so, yet he correctly answers every single question that Bruce throws his way. Is this a ghost story? It sure feels like one. Alfred leads him down to the Batcave, to run some tests on him, and Bruce discovers Alfred’s not the only unexpected presence on site. Waiting downstairs are Damian, Tim Hunter, and Jakeem Thunder. They are here to capture Bruce it seems. Just what is going on here?
Obviously, this is an overreach of huge proportions. Nobody takes down Batman in his own house. So, full-on fight time. Bruce theorises that Damian is somehow being controlled, and as the Batcave gets trashed around them, tries to take him down. No luck. In fact, Batman starts getting beaten up by several empty Batman and Robin costumes, again making us realise something is very wrong here. Bruce and Alfred escape, just before Damian tries to kill Alfred believing him to be an imposter (he is dead after all). Tim goes to The Tower of Fate, Salem, where Tim and Jakeem collapse, proving Batman’s theory they were being controlled. Who’s the mysterious voice though?
So, Batman and Alfred are effectively on the run, with just one asset. The key to Zatanna’s home. Clearly magic is at play here, so she’s the go-to play. Off they go and find Zatanna…. sort of. Floating, half dead, with a noose around her neck. She explains that somehow Damian has poisoned magic itself, that all magic users are being punished, or suffering some form of torment. He’s clearly got some major league help, and we see just how much help he has on the final page. I’m not sure even Batman can get out of this one.
I got the impression reading this that Mark Waid was having a ball writing it. Sparkling dialogue over a great plot, things gradually being revealed and unravelled, mystery on top of mystery. It was a great read. The art, by Mahmud Asrar, was fantastic. Some of the full-page spreads were absolute things of beauty, and Batman’s full-page appearance is beautifully rendered. The muted colouring throughout is also superb, really giving the feeling of a ghost story in a haunted house. Great work by all the creative team, making their characters and story shine.
This could have been a gimmick book, but it is in fact the best Batman book of the month. Engaging, beautiful visuals, and a genuine mystery to be solved.
Mark Waid. He’s still got it.
