Comic Book Review: Batman & Robin #9

Book Information

Written by Grant Morrison

Art by Cameron Stewart

Plot

Last month we were left with the terrifying image of Bruce Wayne (or so it would seem) ready to attack Damian Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth.  What has Dick Grayson unleashed into the world?  Is this in fact Bruce Wayne who is still suffering from the madness that comes along with being immersed into a Lazarus pit, or is it something else? 

Also, after only a few months of keeping Gotham City safe, is this the end for Batwoman as we know it?

My Thoughts

To be completely honest, there isn’t anything wrong with this issue in and of itself.  The parts of this book I do have problems with have nothing to do with the quality of the plotline and story.  The comic flows very well and produces some very interesting moments that gives a lot of potential to future storylines.  The problems I see in within the art and concept of the plot.

I’m absolutely, 100% NOT a fan of Cameron Stewart’s style of drawing, at least not in the comic book genre.  I can see his work doing quite well on Saturday morning cartoons or as a part of DC Kids, but for such a serious and dark comic, the art comes off as silly.  Of course, Tony Avina’s coloring techniques don’t assist the poor art quality either.  There are moments of brilliance however, in the way the orange light glows from the Lazarus pit while Batman gently drops Batwoman in the brightly colored pool.  It’s quite gorgeous and intricate, but that’s all that merits praise when it comes to Stewart’s art.

Speaking of Batwoman, I’m beginning to regret not picking up Detective Comics while she dominated the title.  With the cameos she made in the titles I’m reading, I’ve really enjoyed her presence.  She has a confidence that equals Wonder Woman and the attitude which reminds me of Power Girl.  Her addition into this story arc was very well handled and clever on Morrison’s part.

I see the necessity of having a Batman doppelganger, but having an insane Caped Crusader didn’t sit to well with me, at least not in the way Morrison portrayed it.  It seemed more of an excuse to let Grayson beat the crap out of a Bruce Wayne clone as a way of filling up pages.  Thankfully, the sequence did not last very long, however, the fight between the Batmen did produce one of the greatest moments in comic book history…

I hate Damien Wayne so this made my day.  I was so incredibly happy until Grayson had to ruin my happiness by swooping in to save the day. 

One thing I can’t understand is how Grayson figured out Bruce Wayne isn’t dead?  How was this doppelganger a hint that he is still alive?  Dick concluded that the doppelganger wasn’t Bruce, therefore he knows that that Bruce Wayne is still alive?  What?!?!  If someone can explain how this makes sense, please enlighten me!  DC, if you want to bring Bruce Wayne back so bad (which I think is a terrible idea to begin with) at least have Morrison make a comprehensible reasoning for it.

Overall

For the most part this issue was fun, but with all of the flaws, this comic really didn’t do me justice.  I hope Cameron Stewart gets off this title sooner rather than later.

Rating: 6 out of out of 10 stars

Next Issue Came March 10, 2010

Art sensation Andy Clarke (R.E.B.E.L.S., BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL) joins writer Grant Morrison for an exciting three-issue arc titled "Batman vs. Robin"! Why would Talia al Ghul manipulate her son Damian into taking action against Batman? Will Damian do as Mother says…or stay loyal to Dick Grayson? Plus, more on the Domino Killer, Oberon Sexton, and the menace of El Penitente's drug cartel! Is this already the end for the new Dynamic Duo?

Comic Book Review: Batman and Robin #8

Book Information

Written by Grant Morrison

Art by Cameron Stewart

Plot

Part 3 of Blackest Knight continues as Batman, Batwoman, Knight and Squire attempt the revival of Bruce Wayne.  Using the body found by Superman after the grueling battle with Darksied, The four heroes brace for the worst as the body begins to rise from the Lazarus Pit.  Is it Batman or an imposter?  Either way, strange things are definitely a foot in the United K!

My Thoughts

Apparently the body carried out by Superman after Darksied fell wasn’t Batman’s at all, but one of the many Batman clones meant to serve Darksied.  How Convenient, eh?  So will this become another Superman story, where after Superman’s death, clones of the last son of Krypton began to rise from the Earth?  Is Grant Morrison honestly trying to continue with his horrid Final Crisis story as a way of bringing Bruce Wayne back from the grave?  Currently Morrison is writing himself into a world filled with rehashed plot devices and poorly thought out conclusions.  I can accept the Lazarus Pit resurrection, but using clones in the story is pushing it for me.

Once the Bruce Wayne clone rises out of the pit, we the readers find ourselves observing a somewhat confusing fight sequence between Dick Grayson and Wayne’s clone.  I went back a number of times after finishing this issue trying to figure out which Batman was Grayson, but failed epically. I then came to the conclusion that it wasn’t something to get worried about seeing as how fight scenes in comics can always be confusing to look at, even when it’s between two very distinguishable characters.

Morrison does find a way to redeem this issue a little with his expansion on the Batwoman prophecy.  I haven’t done much research into the Batwoman character since I don’t pick up Detective comics.  However, what I do know of Batwoman is the mystical and prophetic shadow that follows her.  Her wish to die seemingly has something to do with the mystery surrounding her.  Morrison, while not truly revealing anything new, wrote this into the story very well and helped to amplify Batwoman’s character even further.

Cameron Stewart steps up his game with much more mature looking art.  Last issue had the aura of a children’s comic book, but containing very adult themes.  Dark Storylines written for kids have to be handled delicately or they become a huge mess of random, incoherent jargon.  (Take Twilight for example.)  But this issue feels so much more mature even with Stewart’s very round stylization, particularly in the faces.  I still find Stewart to be a little annoying as an artist, but it was a lot more tolerable with this issue.

Overall

Satisfactory, but not great.  Morrison is following his typical pattern of bad storytelling; starting off with a bang, but going off into “la la land” as the title progresses.  I’m cheering for Morrison to do well as this title is the best work in Grant Morrison’s writing repertoire, but this issue doesn’t bode well for him

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars

Next Issue Coming February 24, 2010

Part 3 of "Blackest Knight" guest-starring Batwoman, Knight and Squire! Only months into his new role as Batman, Dick Grayson faces perhaps the biggest threat of his life. In hopes of attaining his heart's desire, has Dick instead unleashed a terror the likes of which the world has never seen?
Meanwhile, back in Gotham City, Alfred and a recuperating Robin are at the mercy of someone both fearsome and familiar…