Batman and Robin #6 – Joshua Williamson, Writer; Nikola Cizmesija, Artist; Rex Lokus, Colorist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: Joshua Williamson has managed to make Gotham feel both more welcoming and more full of danger than ever before in this title, thanks to fleshing out Damian and Bruce’s relationship as they interact with the rest of Gotham. Are we going to see anything this year that tops Bruce Wayne: PTA dad? Not sure, but this issue is game. As weird things surrounding the soccer team at Damian’s school continue, one boy from the team gets caught up in a bizarre escape attempt by Mr. Zsasz—thinking that the killer might be his father. After a disturbing series of reveals, Damian becomes convinced that the woman he knew as Mistress Harsh might be behind it, turning the school into an army of assassins in training. His attempt to confront her goes badly, and his future at the school looks more and more dubious—which, really, shouldn’t be a surprise given his past attempts.
It’s also no surprise that Bruce and Damian aren’t exactly close in most books, as their relationship is usually portrayed as more professional than anything. But Williamson is really making an effort here to show the two bonding not as vigilante and sidekick but as father and son, living together for the first time without any go-betweens. There’s a fantastic scene here involving Damian’s sketchbook and his first attempt at creating an original story that speaks really well to his character and to the joy of creation (as well as the endearingly cringe elements of teenage fanart). It’s such a good segment that I didn’t even mind at all that the action seems to take a break for much of the issue. But the ending brings back a major threat—as well as the return of a major fan-favorite player from one of Williamson’s past books. This continues to be another huge winner in a golden age of Bat-books.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
