Comics: Batman, Robin, and a Cry for Justice!

Batman and Robin Number 2
Writer: Grant Morrison, Artist: Frank Quietly

For those unfamiliar, Batman and Robin is the flagship title of the recently relaunched 'Bat-family' line of Batman related comic books. Writer Grant Morrison was the architect of the last several Batman storylines before this relaunch and was also responsible for taking Bruce Wayne off the table (I use this terminology as death is never really death in comics. The seeming death of Bruce Wayne was actually a cosmic trip through time in which he must live a succession of increasingly unhappy lives; re: Omega Sanction). Anyways, after a brief event comic titled 'Battle for the Cowl' we find Dick Grayson (the original Robin) wearing Batman's mantle aided by a new Robin in the form of Bruce Wayne's biological son, Damien.

The first issue of Batman and Robin established writer Grant Morrison's new outlook for the character of Batman. No longer dark and brooding, instead we have a new Dynamic Duo lead by the fairly light-hearted Dick Grayson and joined by the arrogant, all-too-serious Damien Wayne. Essentially a role reversal, we now have a more Batman-ish Robin and a Batman who was Robin. Add to this a new take on Gotham and an overall flavor of storytelling which is at once an homage and mashup of the Adam West 'Batman' of the 60's. This all comes off as a breath of fresh air in terms of Batman storytelling. After almost a century of Bat-tales, it gets understandably hard to spin a new Batman tale without the taste of a past story tainting it. Now, though, we are treated to a new kind of Batman and it brings with it a kind of excitement at the possibilities this new status quo could portend.

The second issue of this new direction opens to the new Batman and Robin's first official 'night out'. They reveal themselves to the police (who, for obvious reasons, don't outright realize there's a new man behind the mask... they suspect though) and it's about four seconds before the Circus of Strange (a new group of villains who's game is to be circus freaks who deal in crime, naturally) is bombing and storming Gotham Police Central. Faced with an obese fatlady, a siamese triplet, and an guy named Phosphorus who appears to be ablaze at all times (think a tragic, wimpy Johnny Storm), the new team's got their work cut out for them. We get the impression that Dick assumed that the Batman-Robin team would work the same as it always had, and he quickly realizes that this is not the case. Damien is clearly only along for the brawl and to attempt to be the hero he admired his father for being. Dick is thrown off by, of all things, wearing a cape; a commodity he did away with long ago. Both fighters find themselves in danger before too long as Batman finds himself against too many opponents and Damien finds himself out of his weight class. They both manage to get themselves out of their respective jams, but not without aggravating an already present rift. Damien does not respect Dick as Batman. He thinks that he's just play acting as his father's noble role. Dick does not understand why Damien won't defer leadership to him without question. Needless to say, Dick views this all as a failure and after a pep talk with Alfred finds new footing.

People who can't stomach anyone BUT Bruce Wayne being Batman will be happy here as Dick Grayson, Damien, and Alfred all postulate the same attitude within these pages. In the end, Dick discovers that perhaps he can't be the same Batman Bruce was, but he can perform (as he did with his parents in the Flying Graysons) as the character of Batman in his own way. It's a wonderful moment in the book that aknowledges that things aren't the same in the Batverse, but that there's room to get the job done. Meanwhile Damien stumbles right into a trap and the issue ends with a renewed Dick speeding his way to save his stubborn young ward.

Grant Morrison's subtle character analysis through interactions is in full force here. He balances entertaining action with amusing banter in such a way that it doesn't feel like the characters are being forced down our throats. It's much more audience friendly than Morrison's previous Batman arc -- Batman RIP. I would also be mistaken not to make mention of artist Frank Quietly's art. He has a very unique style that some find too "wrinkly" to be for superheroes, but anyone who's read multiple Eisner award winning All Star Superman will know it has a charm that is perfect for the slightly campy-but-gritty world Morrison is sewing with this new book.

If you're not familiar with the deep history of Batman, or simply fear reading comics because the long publishing history will drive you away; now is the time to jump on board. Only two issues in, the Batman universe is in a new territory that is as fresh to people who have been reading for decades as it is to new readers. Don't miss your chance.

Justice League: A Cry for Justice! Number One
Writer: James Robinson, Artist: Mauro Cascioli

Justice League: A Cry for Justice! explores the premise of "justice" and why the heroes in such a named league never actually dole out any of it. Lead by Green Lantern Hal Jordan, his frustration with the fact that heroes tend to sit around waiting to be attacked instead of proactively seeking out the evil doers and punishing them finally boils over in an explosive way. Severing ties with the Justice League of America, he and longtime friend Green Arrow set off into space to start finding the worst of the worst and striking at them before they strike first.

The rest of the issue jumps from scene to scene exploring the characters that will become this new Justice League and why they also thirst for justice. Writer James Robinson does a good job of making each character's motives seem deep seeded and believable. It will be interesting to see how these various, colorful characters come together and how they each deal with the obvious darkness that may come from a desire to enact vengeance without provocation. Of course the real star here is artist Mauro Cascioli. His hand painted artwork jumps off the page with insane amounts of detail that almost (ALMOST) make you feel comfortable being caught reading the comic in a public place.

The issue as a whole serves as an introduction to what this series is going to be all about. According to the letter from the writer in the back, this story will have major repercussions for the DC Universe at large so it's good to see that we'll have a strong cast of characters here in the beginning to follow through to the end. All in all this is an effective book as it manages to entertain, inform, and satisfy the urge to read something worth the time it takes. As it stands now we've only got the outline and premise and it will fall to the ensuing issues to really flesh out the concept. In short: Worth the money, but only serves as a promise right now of something greater. Keep an eye out to see if it delivers.