TITLE: Batman & Robin: Batman Reborn
ARTISTS: Frank Quitely, Philip Tan
COLLECTS: Batman & Robin #1-6
FORMAT: Hardcover
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $24.99
RELEASED: April 7

By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

When readers open Batman & Robin: Batman Reborn, they’re entering a world where Bruce Wayne has (presumably) died, and his apprentices/extended family strive to preserve his legacy.

Collecting Batman & Robin #1-6, and picking up after the events of Batman: Battle For The Cowl, we now find Dick Grayson (who as a boy became the first Robin) wearing the mantle of the bat. Meanwhile, Damian, the moody and defiant 10-year-old son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, becomes the current Robin. This represents a radical shift in characterization, as Batman has historically been the darker, more brooding character, while Robin is his light-hearted companion. In this book, we’re following a lighter Batman and a darker Robin.

In the first half of the book, as both the characters and the audience grow accustomed to the new dynamic duo, Batman and Robin face a bizarre group called “The Circus of Strange.” Their leader Pyg, a deranged character wearing a pig mask, morbidly disfigures the faces of his victims.

In the second half, Dick and Damian face The Red Hood and Scarlet, the latter a young girl who was one of Pyg’s victims. The crimson duo serve as a more violent version of Batman and Robin, who have no reservations about murdering the criminals they fight. Fans who’ve read the bat-books over the past few years should have few problems deciphering The Red Hood’s true identity. Thankfully, that’s not the focal point of the story arc.

Reborn author Grant Morrison was also the architect behind Batman: R.I.P. and Final Crisis, the two stories which brought us this new status quo. Personally, I find that Morrison’s stories sometimes take a confusing and convoluted turn which leaves me scratching my head. Final Crisis was the perfect example. Luckily, Reborn is an intriguing tale, as opposed to a confusing one. As Morrison created the Damian character, there’s no one more qualified to write his transition into the Robin role. Damian’s obnoxious nature and lack of respect for Dick Grayson serve as good fodder for storytelling.

The first arc is drawn by Frank Quitely, who is renowned for his work with Morrison (JLA: Earth 2, All Star Superman), and he doesn’t disappoint this time around. The only true flaw I could find in his art is that in a few panels, Dick Grayson has a bit of a Jay Leno chin. I’m not sure if this was done intentionally to offset the iconic image of Bruce Wayne’s square-jawed Batman, or if it was simply an accident. In any event, it’s a bit awkward.

Philip Tan pencils the second arc. Simply put, some panels are stronger than others under his direction. Still, he gets the job done. Jonathan Clapion and Alex Sinclair’s respective work on the ink and colors is a beautiful sight.

My understanding is that Morrison originally signed on to do 12 issues of Batman & Robin, so fans can likely expect another B&R book with his name on it. Issues #7-9 are already out, with Cameron Stewart handling the art. And issue #10 was just released, with Andy Clarke and Scott Hanna doing the visuals.

Overall, Batman & Robin came out of the gate strong, thanks primarily to Morrison’s writing, but Quitely and Tan were no slouches. Does it get any better than this? Yes it does. But not much better…

RATING: 8/10