Graphic Novel Review... Batman & Robin Volume 2: Batman Vs Robin!
Batman & Robin Volume 2: Batman Vs Robin, by Grant Morrison & Cameron Stewart, DC Comics
TOO OFTEN there’s a lack of respect given to the casual purchaser of books that collect ongoing American comic book series, whereby one begins a story arc half way through with no reference to how the scenario developed to that point. Possibly it is ignorance and a presumption that the only people likely to purchase them are those who read the individual comics, rather than looking to expand that readership. Fortunately with this collection we have something that we can point to and say this is how it should be done.
Ironic really, considering most comic fans still take Grant Morrison to be an iconoclastic smasher of preconceived storytelling notions. Whereas what he does within this collection is take what has gone before and expand upon it – often in totally unexpected ways, true, but faithful to the characterisations that have gone before and where we are unsure of what they may have been he allows us room to catch up and take note without treating us as dumb. Plus he writes some text back-ups to help put it all into perspective.
Collecting #7-12 of a regular series, it soon becomes apparent that the Batman of this series is in fact Dick Grayson (the original Robin, then Nightwing) and the current Robin isn’t featured for much of this series, but when he is we’re told he’s the son of the original Batman. In between we’re given rebooted versions of lesser Batman mythos supporting characters such as Batwoman, and Morrison adding to that pantheon of the night with Britain’s Knight & Squire.
The bulk of the collection is about Dick trying to find Bruce Wayne’s body and possibly bring him back to life via a Lazarus Pit. It has the veneer of being a thriller but plays out better as superhero quest romp with all the tedious bits taken out. There’s drama, there’s fun... Main artist Cameron Stewart has Morrison’s back covered on all counts. There’s a pay off at the end that while not quite unexpected produces the right reader response in making you want to seek out the next collection... You will also want to check out the previous collection.
