Art by: Simone Di Meo
Colors by: Simone Di Meo
Letters by: Steve Wands
Cover art by: Simone Di Meo
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: October 10, 2023
Batman And Robin #2 finds father and son struggling to bond while the emergence of a new threat seeks to put Batman out of commission.
Is Batman And Robin #2 Good?
*SPECULATOR ALERT* Batman And Robin #2 marks the introduction of the new Batman villain, Shush. If you've been keeping up with the press, Shush is the latest villain to wear bandages, talk softly, and carry a big gun. Little is known about her origins except that (maybe) she was part of Damian's training under Talia, and she has an axe to grind with Batman. Now you know as much as I do about Shush.
When last we left Bruce and Damian, Bruce wanted his son to go to school in the hopes of helping him find interests outside of crime fighting. Meanwhile, a group of villains kidnapped Dr. Kashira, presumably for his expertise in genetic manipulation, which may have something to do with the fact that the Terrible Trio are now human/animal hybrids.
Now, Damian gives the school a go, which doesn't last long, and the boy heads to Blackgate to interrogate White Rabbit for her part in Dr. Kashira's kidnapping. Unfortunately, Batman and Shush get to the prison first, leading to a standoff.
Peel back the layers, and most readers will notice not much happens in this issue. There was some fun and games with Damian before the Dynamic Duo had to Blackgate, and that's about it. Beyond a possible connection to a younger Damian and Shush, there isn't much meat to this issue. If you pick this issue up for Damian fighting action, you'll have something worth reading. For readers who're still wondering why this series exists, you'll have to wait a little longer.
What's great about Batman And Robin #2? This is a very Damian-centric issue, so fans who like Damian or want to know him more will get a peak into his early training days, how he handles bullies in school (or not?), and his effectiveness as a soldier on the battlefield of crime. I like Damian a tad more after reading this issue.
What's not so great about Batman And Robin #2? In a comics environment with overpriced issues and scatterbrained delivery dates, decompressed storytelling is unacceptable. If Williamson wants to prove he can write an engaging Batman comic, he needs to get to the point toot-sweet. Trickling out a villain and plot in little drips and drabs is too much to ask for a writer of his caliber.
How's the art? Sorta good and sorta not good. Simone Di Meo has a style that works to portray movement and energy in action scenes. That's the positive. On the downside, there's a plethora of closeups in this issue where the closeup lacks detail, and the angle makes it hard to make out what's going on. Stylized art can be a good thing, but never at the expense of clarity.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
Follow @ComicalOpinions on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
When last we left Bruce and Damian, Bruce wanted his son to go to school in the hopes of helping him find interests outside of crime fighting. Meanwhile, a group of villains kidnapped Dr. Kashira, presumably for his expertise in genetic manipulation, which may have something to do with the fact that the Terrible Trio are now human/animal hybrids.
Now, Damian gives the school a go, which doesn't last long, and the boy heads to Blackgate to interrogate White Rabbit for her part in Dr. Kashira's kidnapping. Unfortunately, Batman and Shush get to the prison first, leading to a standoff.
Peel back the layers, and most readers will notice not much happens in this issue. There was some fun and games with Damian before the Dynamic Duo had to Blackgate, and that's about it. Beyond a possible connection to a younger Damian and Shush, there isn't much meat to this issue. If you pick this issue up for Damian fighting action, you'll have something worth reading. For readers who're still wondering why this series exists, you'll have to wait a little longer.
What's great about Batman And Robin #2? This is a very Damian-centric issue, so fans who like Damian or want to know him more will get a peak into his early training days, how he handles bullies in school (or not?), and his effectiveness as a soldier on the battlefield of crime. I like Damian a tad more after reading this issue.
What's not so great about Batman And Robin #2? In a comics environment with overpriced issues and scatterbrained delivery dates, decompressed storytelling is unacceptable. If Williamson wants to prove he can write an engaging Batman comic, he needs to get to the point toot-sweet. Trickling out a villain and plot in little drips and drabs is too much to ask for a writer of his caliber.
How's the art? Sorta good and sorta not good. Simone Di Meo has a style that works to portray movement and energy in action scenes. That's the positive. On the downside, there's a plethora of closeups in this issue where the closeup lacks detail, and the angle makes it hard to make out what's going on. Stylized art can be a good thing, but never at the expense of clarity.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
Follow @ComicalOpinions on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Bits and Pieces:
Batman And Robin #2 is an entertaining, Damian-centric issue to help you get to know the latest Boy Wonder. That said, the plot doesn't move much, and the art is a mixed bag. If you're a Speculator, pick this issue up for the introduction of Shush. For everyone else, consider waiting for the inevitable trade.
6/10
I completely agree. Compared to Tomasi's run, this series doesn't hold a candle. That series did way more with just one issue than both of these combined. I also don't like the art style at all, both in this and the previous one. It is way too cluttered, incomprehensible and at the same time veryyy flat in the character expression bits. Here they allude to some past sad memories and traumas, yet the tone of the scene is exactly the same as other parts, you don't get a sense of feelings and inner thoughts like you do with some other styles. Also the whole going to school + Alfred angle has already been done way better before with way better art, even by Williamson himself no less! I thought the bit where Damian couldn't even last till first period and Bruce mentioning it was promising and could have been a very nice bonding moment but that got interrupted immediately. I hope it gets better since Williamson writes a good Damian usually (sadly his Bruce is veryyy flat and not very in character which is a problem when this isn't just a solo Robin book anymore) but let's be honest here, with the whole Gotham War going on, it is really hard to separate what is happening over there with here, they might be from different dimensions at this point with how this two series are written and don't compliment each other at all ( which is a blessing for this book and any book that ignores that disaster but still) and Gotham War absolutely damages this book.
ReplyDeleteThe disconnect between the art style and the writer's style undermine the entire book for me. I think the art would be good, even great on a different book. While reading, I just kept seeing panels in my mind in Jimenez, Tomasi, Cruz, Corona and even Melnikov's styles-styles that would pick up the emotional beats Williamson is writing. Williamson is best doing character focused stories, but that requires a style using body language and full facial expression. The major theme of Damian's character is the contrast of his destinies and histories. When artist and writer align we see where the characters words conflict with his meaning, where his body language and "mask" conflict, down to the tension in his upper face belies the mask he tries to present. All of that requires the artist allow the character to act and be vulnerable-something Williamson writes well.
DeleteWhich is all to say, I feel editorial had let this book down by failing to pair the writer and artist based on their strengths. Individual players don't always create the best team and this team just doesn't have that magic together. Plus, the team needs a colorist who can enhance the art and highlight the strengths while disguising weaknesses-which would punch up the story beats.
Original commenter here,
DeleteI agree with you, I certainly don't think this art style is ugly, it looks cool but as you put it perfectly, it doesn't match what I think this story needs at all, it even makes it worse. However I think maybe sometimes it depends on the feedback the writer gives the artist too. And right now the story doesn't seem like it has a lot of thought or direction put into it but that might change of course.