EDITOR'S NOTE: This review may include what some may view as
SPOILERS, FYI. -
Jett
A year or so ago, I firmly believed all of this “Let’s-kill-off-Bruce-Wayne-and-make-Dick-Grayson-Batman” was nothing more than a rehash of the KNIGHTFALL and PRODIGAL -- with a dash of “THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN” storylines from back in the 90s. While it IS all that, it’s also much better done than any of those multi-issue, over drawn-out sagas from back in the day.
My only qualm with Grant Morrison and DC is I think they're making me -- a “Batman Only” fan -- have to deal with and take into account something which I had ZERO interest in reading from the beginning. And that would be 'ol Mrant's baby, FINAL CRISIS. More on that in just a bit.
What a fun issue this BATMAN AND ROBIN #8 is! Really, after that cliffhanger at the end of the last one, I couldn’t wait for the next. The corpse of Bruce Wayne + a Lazarus Pit? Come on!
I had criticized issue #7 because I thought there was no reason for this Batwoman to be included. Well, that’s quickly explained and it did made sense -- though it comes off a little forced -- but it works in context to the story. In addition, now Batwoman is involved with a B&R cliffhanger!
And here’s where my LOVE/HATE thing with Morrison really kicks in: This Lazarus Pit-resurrected “Batman” has its (and I do mean its, not his) true identity revealed -- and yes, it’s tied into FINAL CRISIS.
The only reason I knew what was going on here (as well as the ID of this Batman) was because I did read issues #5 and #6 of FC. Batman fans who did not partake in FC (like me…well, except for two issues) will most likely be lost for a bit (and pissed) when they read this part of the story. And Frankly, I agree with them.
I’ve talked ad nauseam over the last year why I would have preferred that the events of the Batman monthlies had nothing to do with FINAL CRISIS -- but what’s done is done.
Nevertheless -- and in spite of my personal grievances -- Morrison’s story is pretty compelling. And for that, he deserves props.
Also, I can’t say enough about Cameron Stewart’s artwork. I really, REALLY like it and it suits this title very well. In fact, I don’t miss Frank Quitely much at all.
There’s one more issue left in this “Blackest Knight” story arc, then I suspect the title's next storyline will start dealing with the return of the real Batman, Bruce Wayne.
In the meantime, I’m enjoying this title and the current storyline and I can’t wait to see how it ends. I think I finally got a handle of what’s going on, but Grant Morrison is pulling the strings here, so I’m sure I’m dead wrong.
