Batman & Robin: Reborn comic review

Batman & Robin: Batman Reborn (The Deluxe Edition) by Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely and Philip Tan, 

There's a lot to this book that I like immensely. The art, for one, by Frank Quitely, Philip Tan and others is superbly suited to a Batman story. With a quick-paced, well designed noir quality; Homages to classic Batman covers; well-designed action/fight sequences, with good dialogue, for the most part, to boot.

Morrison's story is a well-constructed post-Bruce-Wayne plot with new quintessentially Batman-esque, morose/morbid villains (having increased levels of deadly quirkiness) and a new, poignant dynamic between the rookie Batman (Dick Grayson) and Robin (Damian, the grim son of Bruce Wayne and an assassin villainess). And, besides other hi-tech advances, there's a new Batmobile which has a number of new tricks as part of its cutting-edge design. 

So I would give it three stars out of four. Or a solid B+. Dick Grayson (who is also called Rich Grayson due to recent naming trends in which "Dick" is out of favor as a nickname for "Richard") attracted my sympathy immediately. I rooted for him in the role of Batman which he deserves more than any other pretender to the title. And Alfred is on hand (very reassuringly) with his dry wit and wise perspective to add more continuity.  Expertly-trained Damian is edgy, arrogant and very much as all-business as his dad. He's not willing to give the new wearer of the Batman cowl any slack. Their chemistry is entertaining to say the least.

One thing I do not like is the design of the Red Hood. His mask looks like oversized lipstick shaft protruding up from his collar or, at worst, an object that I would not like to mention in polite company. 

And the deadly climactic battle between Batman, Robin, The Red Hood and uber assassin Flamingo (imagine a laconic, sharply filed-tooth cross between Joker and Liberace) left me less than satisfied somehow. But, being as it is a deluxe edition of the book, I enjoyed the guided tour of the creative process (concepts, art, etc) at the end of the book.

So Batman & Robin: Batman Reborn has enough pleasures to be well worth the read. I was very happy to find it in my local public library.