OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS: All is revealed in this final installment of "Batman vs. Robin" -- the identity of the Domino Killer, the terrifying secret of the dominoes, and the shocking truth behind El Penitente! All of this, plus the surprising return of a fan-favorite character!
Except for Bruce Wayne finally returning from the past (Ugh!), Grant Morrison’s epic Batman tale looks to be coming to a head (I think) in BATMAN AND ROBIN #12.
As this will likely be an unorthodox comic book review, I’ll go ahead and give it a grade: A solid A. I really liked this issue and I believe most will as well. In fact, it’s the sort of issue that makes you want to go back and read Morrison’s entire Bat-saga which started way back in BATMAN with the “Batman and Son” story arc. Why? Because Morrison has been building up to where we’re at now in BATMAN AND ROBIN, as well as what will ultimately transpire in the upcoming THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE. Looking back, there have been cool little hints and clues all along the way.
(I’d highly recommend that folks invest in the various trade collections of Morrison’s story arcs -- BATMAN AND SON, BATMAN: THE BLACK GLOVE, BATMAN, R.I.P., and BATMAN AND ROBIN: BATMAN REBORN.)
Look, I’m still not on board with the fact that Bruce Wayne got zapped into the past, OK? I’m also not sure if I’m going to dig “Caveman Batman,” “Pirate Batman,” or “Gunslinger Batman” in this THE REUTRN OF BRUCE WAYNE. Regardless, Morrison’s put together a rather brilliant story and one that has sucked me in despite the fact that I’ve never really agreed with what was done to the real Batman.
Anyway, back to the issue at hand.
Without trying to reveal too much, here’s what you’ll find in BATMAN AND ROBIN #12...
* Batman vs. Robin -- why and how.
* The end of the Black Glove.
* The ID of "The Domino Killer."
* Damien Wayne decides between being a member of the House of Al Ghul or the Batman Family.
* Batman -- well, the current Dick Grayson version -- discovering the secret message in all those Bat-clues from the past, AND…
* Oberon Sexton finally takes off his mask. No, I'm not joking!
Morrison also used this issue to set up the next arc of BATMAN AND ROBIN as we see Dr. Hurt/”Thomas Wayne” preparing to return to Gotham City. Is a final showdown between him and the real Batman on the horizon? We shall soon see.
Like I said in the beginning, I thoroughly enjoyed BATMAN AND ROBIN #12 and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how “Grant Morrison’s Epic Batman Tale” ultimately plays out.
