"Batman and Robin" by Grant Morrison

[W.West Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close W.West]

Thought it was a good issue. You can definitely feel the shift in tone once the you see that first page of Gotham City and the Lightning Bug. Some quick and well done setup of the Red Hood and Scarlet. Great art by Tan, was probably hindered a bit by its inking in a few places where I couldn't tell what exactly happened. We got see some more Dick mentoring/training Damian which was done very nicely. We were(what I presume) introduced to a new villain. Not to mention we're quickly hit with another villain on his way, The Flamingo.

We got to see some (unexpectedly good)references to R.I.P with the impact on Dr. Hurt's scheme on Bruce's parents, along with references to Black Mask taking over Gotham's underground mob businesses. And we also got my absolute favorite scene in the book where Damian obviously lets it be known that he is Bruce's son to the public(or Gotham Elite rather), and Tan draws this asshole smirk on Damian's face. Great! And the reaction from it was so subtle and well done that if done in another book(by another writer) would probably had been a whole story arc! The woman says "Bruce Wayne has a son? He's so adorable!" and she made me smile. lol And I don't think I ever heard Dick referred to as Richie Grayson, that was good as well.

All in all, a slower paced issue that covered a lot of ground by introducing a personality in the Red Hood that seems to be more funny than angry which obviously puts doubts about it being Jason Todd. Grant also gave that girl a personality that made me quickly forget about her killing Lightning Bug(among other deaths that week), and made me sympathize for her because she never asked for any of it. She's with the Red Hood because she has no one else, her father died at her hands and now she's disfigured with some wacko murderous vigilante as her only ally. I wish we could have started the issue with some Black Glove stuff but the longer the wait, the more great issues I get before Grant's saga will end, so I'll gladly wait.

[Guest Close Dwight Schrute]

just read issues one and two, i love this book, not sure if i like red robin more or not, have to wait for red robin 2, 3, 4 and batman and robin 3 and 4 before i decide

After just getting up to speed by reading 1-4 of each book over the last two days, I can't even decide myself. Enjoying both of them very much.

[GreenLantern888 Alpha-Lantern Find all posts View Profile Close GreenLantern888]

I am still going with my The Red Hood is Joker theory because I doubt Grant would reveal who the Red Hood is in the first issue, I mean the killing of the villains, the card dropping and the way he talks leads me more to Joker than Jason, and I remember that Tony Daniel said Jason was going to be more of a villain, and not a gray area anti-hero, so this would be a step backwards for him and wouldn't be an interesting story.

Joker becoming more heroic now that is an interesting story in itself.

Also he was really joking around and grandstanding a lot and that is more of Joker's many personalities rather than Jason's.

[Tons T Alpha-Lantern Find all posts View Profile Close Tons T]

Joker as Red Hood..

kinda reminds me of Xorn being Magneto hehehe

[Darth_Andrea Owned by Natu Find all posts View Profile Close Darth_Andrea]

Well in the Batman The Brave and the Bold cartoon Joker was Red Hood and they seem to have been using Current versions of characters in the show for the most part.




Darth_Andrea

[W.West Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close W.West]

I am still going with my The Red Hood is Joker theory because I doubt Grant would reveal who the Red Hood is in the first issue, I mean the killing of the villains, the card dropping and the way he talks leads me more to Joker than Jason, and I remember that Tony Daniel said Jason was going to be more of a villain, and not a gray area anti-hero, so this would be a step backwards for him and wouldn't be an interesting story.

Joker becoming more heroic now that is an interesting story in itself.

Also he was really joking around and grandstanding a lot and that is more of Joker's many personalities rather than Jason's.

That's just what he wants us to think. But Morrison's Joker has always been a sick guy, and I dont think the death of Bruce Wayne would turn him into Red Hood. That being said Scarlet would make sense as Jokers new Harley Quinn.

[Krysalid Guy's Drinking Buddy Find all posts View Profile Close Krysalid]

I'm sorry for those who are Frank Quitely fans... but I'm so glad he's gone. Now I can actually see a Dark Knight instead of a dude with costume size issues.

With Philip Tan onboard I'm actually starting to enjoy this.

[W.West Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close W.West]

Batman and Robin #4 Review

To tell you the truth, I was expecting to miss Frank Quitely on the book. Morrison and Quitely made such a fine pair on All Star Superman and the beginning arc of this title, just how could Philip Tan compare?

Well, by stepping up and, in places, doing his best Frank Quitely impression in terms of storytelling. We have panels arranged like cards in different angles, each juxtaposing with the perspective on the scene. Lots of panels showing intricate scenes with just enough detail to show what’s going on, but no more. And a very strong sense of presence, of which objects carry weight, of how a world hangs together.

The only thing missing is the chins and the lips.

Of course Tan gives his own flourishes as well, especially in the explosions and a wonderful reinvention of The Penguin for us, as a truly horrific creature, with just enough humanity to stop us writing him off as a monster.

bat2This book continues to have an “All Star Superman” feel to it, not just in visual, fleshing out Gotham, inhabitants old and new, each treated alike, feeding us just enough information with each issue, perfect for reader old and new as well, each issue a gem in and of itself, while still being part of a larger piece of sparkling jewelry. We have a new Batman training a new Robin, giving us flashbacks to earlier stories featuring the original dynamic duo, with a sense of complete freshness and an understand that anything could happen.

As and the new Batman and Robin face an even newer counterparts in Red Hood and Scarlet (and pity the real owner of @scarlettraces as she starts to receive all sorts of odd messages on Twitter) so we see them actually fighting a grim and grittier version of themselves, with all the metatextuality that comes with it.

It’s also one of the few superhero comics to even mention the recession and the strain that brings on a city like Gotham. And it’s this kind of detail, and many other touches that make Batman And Robin the best superhero comic on the stands right now. I just hope its luck holds.

via Bleeding Cool

[myuserid Lantern Hex Find all posts View Profile Close myuserid]

Loved this book. After trudging my way through Blackest Night #3, I was a little down on DC. Glad I waited to read this one after.

Tan's art isn't anywhere near Quitely, but not as bad as I was expecting.

I miss Quitely's sound effects blended into the art itself. That was an awesome idea.

The Red Hood seems very cool in this issue. Like he can't decide if he wants to be a hero or not. I like GreenLantern888's idea of the Joker under the mask, because Jason just seems too obvious a pick.

Can't wait to see where this one goes from here.

[W.West Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close W.West]

Does no one make the connection between the author Oberon Sexton aka Gravedigger and the Red Hood? Hiding his face because of what we "know" are scars, has a interest in crime, and is built enough to match him...I don't think Jason is as an obvious choice as he was before.

[Krysalid Guy's Drinking Buddy Find all posts View Profile Close Krysalid]

Does no one make the connection between the author Oberon Sexton aka Gravedigger and the Red Hood? Hiding his face because of what we "know" are scars, has a interest in crime, and is built enough to match him...I don't think Jason is as an obvious choice as he was before.

The though crossed my mind... but so did the the theory it was just a parody to Morrison himself... guess we'll have to wait and see.

[Prime Attention Whore Find all posts View Profile Close Prime]

Does no one make the connection between the author Oberon Sexton aka Gravedigger and the Red Hood? Hiding his face because of what we "know" are scars, has a interest in crime, and is built enough to match him...I don't think Jason is as an obvious choice as he was before.

I was actually thinking that. And the fact that he's making all of the boastful quotes and dramatic sayings. I'd love for this to not be Jason and have Jason show up, wearing the cooler Red Hood outfit, and kick this poser's ass! Then again...this could be Jason. Or perhaps the two are in league?

[myuserid Lantern Hex Find all posts View Profile Close myuserid]

Does no one make the connection between the author Oberon Sexton aka Gravedigger and the Red Hood? Hiding his face because of what we "know" are scars, has a interest in crime, and is built enough to match him...I don't think Jason is as an obvious choice as he was before.

Yeah, when I saw him in the red glasses I figured it's either the Red Hood or Matt Murdock.

I kind of doubt he's the Red Hood, because that just seems way too convenient and obvious.

But then again, what do I know?

[Prime Attention Whore Find all posts View Profile Close Prime]

Yeah, when I saw him in the red glasses I figured it's either the Red Hood or Matt Murdock.

I kind of doubt he's the Red Hood, because that just seems way too convenient and obvious.

But then again, what do I know?

Agreed. There were things pointing to him being Red Hood like his hatred for crime and all that but it just seems like a red herring...on the flip side though, Jason could be a red herring...and...(sigh) I hate mysteries

[FrEaKjOkErXXX Torch Bearer Find all posts View Profile Close FrEaKjOkErXXX]

I was reading through 52 and Batman: R.I.P. over again for the millionth time and I had a theory about the inevitable return of Bruce Wayne.

I was thinking that, maybe, since he survived the Thogal for 49 days, maybe he was able to create a special connection with the spirit of Nanda Parbat that would give him access to some kind of reality warping magic.

A way out there theory that probably won't hold up.