Batman '66 #40 Review

Written by: Jeff Parker
Art by: Paul Rivoche
Cover Price: $1.99
Release Date: August 6, 2014

Danger, Will Robinson

Jeff Parker returns to Batman '66 and he brings a pretty cool friend with him.  Seriously, a Batman Robot is a little boy's dream come true and while I'm far from a little boy anymore, the thought of it takes me back.  While I'm sure that not everything is as great as it seems, Jeff Parker gives fans a fun start to a new arc.

The issue starts off with the Clock King, so you know we're in for fun.  It gets even better as Clock King gets offended that an Art Dealer insinuates that he's only interested in time pieces...and then he steals the guys watch!  Great job Jeff Parker.
 The heist is foiled by the star of the issue, the BatBot.

Now, a Batman Robot is great by itself, but this one is better.  Why?  Because it acts exactly like Batman, right down to it's "lecture protocol".  It's hilarious watching the BatBot tell Clock King the err of his ways, but the reaction it gets is priceless.  Chief O'Hara and Commissioner Gordon show up and it takes Batman and Robin themselves to convince them the BatBot is on the up-and-up.  O'Hara still seems skeptical and so am I.

Batman tells the robot's origin story and it's fun, but raises as many questions as it answers.  We then get to see BatBot in action again and once again, it's great fun.  However, it leads to this issue's lingering question, What will Batman and Robin do while BatBot is busy fighting all the crime in Gotham.  If the final pages are a clue, they're going fishing.

Okay, I'm intrigued.  I know things are going to go wrong and I want to be there when they do.  I really want to see how Batman fights a robot programmed to be his exact replica.

Paul Rivoche does a great job on art.  The Batbot is the focal point and Rivoche does a great job not only with the character design, but with all the action it gets involved in.  Recent issues of Batman '66 (including the Green Hornet crossover) have used the motion comic technique so well, but sadly this wasn't the case in this issue.  It's more of a disappointment than a knock on Rivoche or anyone involved.

Bits and Pieces:

Batman '66 #40 is a fun start to Jeff Parker's new arc.  If you ever wanted to see a Batman Robot fighting crime and lecturing villains, this is the issue for you.  I know things are bound to go horribly wrong, but until then Batman and Robin can keep on Fishing. Recommended.

8.5/10