BATMAN AND ROBIN #10

[ FAMILY VALUES ] 

Can the band get back together? Because are they really all birds of a feather? Robin's not sure. Nightwings all demure. And the Red-Hood is just comfortable in leather. Or maybe another tight fitting fabric worn by Writer: Peter J. Tomasi; Artist: Patrick Gleason; and Publisher: DC Comics in May 2012. Get ready for a make-over.

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

This issue of Batman and Robin, entitled 'Terminus - Scar of the Bat', prompts me to recollect a day trip me and my family once had at the sea-side. Not only did we want to kill each other, but so did most of the other people around us as well.

• You see, Bruce Wayne thought that it would be a nice idea to get Tim, Dick, and Damien, all together, so that an artist could paint a family portrait for the sake of posterity.
• However, the little f*cker Damien feels that he has to prove himself to Bruce and the others, and challenges 'the previous Robins' (including the Red Hood) to a duel of sorts.
• Meanwhile, somewhere else, some ugly looking sod called 'Terminus' is putting certain plans into action so that he can get his revenge on Batman.

Damn right to be continued...

What is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

I loved reading the majority of the banter between Tim and Damien in this issue, plus I thought that is started off on the right footing when Damien said about his dog...

'He's a Great Dane. One word from me and Titus can take your throat out'.

...only for Tim to state in turn 'I forgot killing's your specialty'.

Ha! Who said sarcasm is the lowest form of humor?

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

This is the story I have been dieing to read since this whole 'new 52' malarkey began. Robin, Nightwing, Red-Robin, and Red-Hood, all together in the same book, and interacting with one another with that sardonic edge that only Peter Tomasi can bring.

Moreover, that final segment between Tim and Damien was something that I thought I would not like, yet did, because there was an almost analytical method in it's execution by Damien. 

Bravo Mister Tomtom. Let the festivities begin.  

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

To me, there is a scene in this story that did not play out in a very natural way. It's the one where Bruce tries to justify to Alfred why he's keeping Damian murder of Morgan a secret to the other Robins.

Does not sound like a Batman things for him to do, does it? Almost too contrived.  

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: I thought that the opening 'family segment' was very 'nu' - as it had a bratty-like vibe festering between the two younger siblings. In addition to this, I also enjoyed Dick's more mature outlook as well - due to the fact that he did not join in with this squabble, he let it pass over him instead. A very 'Bruce' thing to do, huh?

ART: The use of contracting colours really brought out the best of Patrick Gleason's work, and highlighted a certain cinematic edge to his layouts. Also, I did enjoy the way that the 'All Robin' scene was staged. Very 'in your face'.

If you had to CAST TWO CHARACTERS in this comic book, who would they be and why?

TIM: I am going to go 'old school' with this version of Mister Timothy Drake, by giving him the honour of being played by a very young Nick Stahl. Can you see it? I can if I squint.

DAMIEN: Now if I had a time-machine, I would snatch Butch Patrick right out of the sixties, and dump in wherever he needed to be to play this brat-wonder.

Hmmm. This reminds me of something else...

If this issue had a MOVIE TAG LINE, what would it be?

They're creepy and they're kooky. Mysterious and spooky. They're all together ooky.  The Wayne Family.

If this issue were a MOVIE, an OBJECT, or a piece of MUSIC, what would that be and why? 

Oops! The answer to my last question has compelled me to compare this issue with - click-click - 'The Addams Family' - I must obey or be damned.

Hmm? Does that make Bruce, Gomez?

FINAL thoughts...

Screw cross-over events. Kick major revelations in the face. Poke intergalactic adventures in the eye. Give me a book with a family of vigilantes arguing with each other any day of the week, and I am one happy bunny. 

Well, this is what comic books are all about, aren't they? A way of subverting the norm by giving us something that we can both relate to, and yearn to be apart of, at the same time. Listen, I know that this is only the first part of an adventure in the making. But isn't it a nice way of kicking off an arc of none too familiar proportions? 

MARKS out of 10? 9