From The DC Vault – Death In The Family: Robin Lives! #2 – JM DeMatteis, Writer; Rick Leonardi, Artist; Rico Renzi, Colorist
Ray – 9.5/10
Ray: JM DeMatteis is one of only a few writers to have A-class books at both big companies right now, having just wrapped up an excellent Spidey flashback tail only to dovetail right into this psychologically-driven alternate reality that shows the Bat-family trying to pick up the pieces shortly after Jason barely survived an attack by the Joker. It’s an interesting decision to center much of the story around two new psychologists – Dr. Dev, a specialist in trauma who Bruce brings in to try to help Jason, and Dr. Stoner, an obsessive psychiatrist working at Arkham who has been trying to cure the Joker. This, naturally, does not go well. Joker proves himself to be a master of psychological warfare, putting on a fake veil of sanity as long as he needs to. He eventually pulls off a shocking escape, setting himself on the path to the tragedy we saw unfolding in the first issue.
But the meat of this issue is in the Bat-family’s segments, as Bruce starts to task himself the hard questions – was bringing the boys into this war ever a good idea? Is he even healthy himself? Jason is recovering from the psychological trauma he endured at the hands of Scarecrow last issue, but is retreating more and more into the safety zone of the center run by Dr. Dev. Bruce reaches out to Dick to discuss the life they share, and eventually makes a shocking decision that shows how seriously he’s taking Jason’s health. But Jason doesn’t take it well, and it seems likely that these two will eventually wind up in conflict just like they did when Jason became Red Hood. But unlike that story, this one seems serious about not villainizing anyone. This isn’t a story of a father and son at war, but a father trying to save his son no matter what it costs him – and so far, it’s brilliant.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
