The alphabetically ordered reviews of the second full week of the New 52 starts right here.
General Information
Title: Batman and Robin #1
Author: Peter J. Tomasi
Illustrator(s): Patrick Gleason (pencils), Mick Gray (inks) and John Kalisz (colours)
Cover Date: November 2011
Cover Price: $2.99
Buy the digital edition.
Premise
Bruce Wayne and his son Damien are a crime fighting duo. They start a new tradition involving Bruce’s parents before heading out to a situation at the local nuclear reaction. Meanwhile, a new villain is leaving his mark in Moscow.
High Point
Batman: “Show some respect. They were your grandparents.”
Robin: “Just names and dusty frames on the walls to me.”
Alfred: “I take exception to that. There is not a speck of dust collecting on those portraits.”
Low Point
The people in the net would have been seriously, perhaps even fatally, scalded.
The Scores
The Bruce and Damien partnership still feels new and original to me, even if it has been around for a couple of years. This is a very, very different kind of Robin, and one that will likely surprise new readers. The villain has an interesting twist as well. I give it 5 out of 6.
The artwork is interesting. It often seems to lack detail for the emotional moments, putting in the detail for the action sequences. The inking is very light, and the colour pallete often feels washed out ot me. I give it 4 out of 6.
The story is well told, and will likely entertain anyone with less background in actual nuclear physics. I give it 4 out of 6.
The characterization is the strongest element here, and has the greatest focus. We have an excellent grasp of the warring personalities and strained relationship here. I give it 6 out of 6.
The emotional response is weak. As incedibly well defined as Robin is, he’s not actually likeable. Add in the physics gaffs, and there is very little here that makes me want to come back next month. The High Point was enjoyable, but the final line of dialogue in the issue (which I will not spoil) is the only one I was interested in following up on. However, it’ll take strong reviews from others to spur me to do so, given how many comics I enjoy more I’ve already picked up. I give it 3 out of 6.
The flow is smooth and effective. 5 out of 6.
Overall, it’s not a terrible title, but it’s not a great title either. I’ll stick with Detective at this point. I give it 3 out of 6.
In total, Batman and Robin #1 receives 30 out of 42.
The New 52
Here are handy links for the reviews of all 52 new #1 issues:
- Action Comics
- All-Star Western
- Animal Man
- Aquaman
- Batgirl
- Batman
- Batman and Robin
- Batman: The Dark Knight
- Batwing
- Batwoman
- Birds of Prey
- Blackhawks
- Blue Beetle
- Captain Atom
- Catwoman
- DC Universe Presents
- Deathstroke
- Demon Knights
- Detective Comics
- The Flash
- Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E.
- The Fury of Firestorm
- Green Arrow
- Green Lantern
- Green Lantern Corps
- Green Lantern: New Guardians
- Grifter
- Hawk and Dove
- I, Vampire
- Justice League
- Justice League Dark
- Justice League International
- Legion Lost
- Legion of Super-Heroes
- Men of War
- Mister Terrific
- Nightwing
- O.M.A.C.
- Red Hood and the Outlaws
- Red Lanterns
- Resurrection Man
- The Savage Hawkman
- Static Shock
- Stormwatch
- Suicide Squad
- Superboy
- Supergirl
- Superman
- Swamp Thing
- Teen Titans
- Voodoo
- Wonder Woman