Batman and Robin #34 Review

Can Batman rally the Bat-Family to help save Damian? Read on to find out.

The official description from DC Comics:

Batman’s quest for Damian’s body is about to take him further down the road to damnation than he’s ever gone before! His first stop: the Justice League’s Lex Luthor?!

Batman and Robin has been heating up nicely over the last few issues, with the Robin Rises arc being tantalising to say the least. Continuing to entice, this issue sees Batman bring in the rest of the Bat-Family, apologizing for the secrets that spit them (see Death of the Family), and vowing to be totally honest from now on.

Peter J. Tomasi has been writing some of his best scripts of the series as of late, with the tension and excitement being throw the roof. The way in which he brings the Bat-Family in and severs all ill feelings between the, vowing total honesty really appealed to me, being very dramatic. I also loved how Dick wasn’t left out, but do question how far Bruce’s total honesty goes, when he’s not willing to reveal Dick’s still alive. Despite this and the issue did feel a little too transitional, with it’s real purpose being setting up Batman’s journey into Apokolipse.

Patrick Gleason has continually impressed me with his work on this series, as though there’s been the odd issue that’s not been to my liking, nine times out of ten he amazes. This is no different here, as with Batman rallying the troops for a farewell get together, there needed to be both a tense and emotional atmosphere. Delivering this and so much more, Gleason manages to make this rather eventless issue very dynamic, with the scenery and layout helping to add that extra bit of flair. In addition to this Mick Gray‘s inks, and John Kalisz‘ colours give a dark, yet polished finish to this wonderful art.

Batman and Robin continues to heat up, with the events of Robin Rises continuing to amaze. Highly recommended.