Batman #657 Review

The Revolution is enjoying Morrison’s early run on Batman. The first couple of issues have been fun and I expect that things are just beginning to heat up. I expect Batman #657 to be a good read. It should be interesting to see how Bruce’s adopted son gets along with his allegedly biological son. Let’s crank out this review.

Creative Team
Writer: Grant Morrison
Penciller: Andy Kubert
Inker: Jesse Delperdang

Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Story Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10

Synopsis: The issue begins with Batman arriving at the Batcave with his son, Damian. Damian proceeds to cop a ton of attitude. Damian has no desire to fight crime along side of his father. Damian then challenges Batman to a fight. Batman easily subdues Damian telling Damian that he just isn’t good enough.

Robin then appears in the Batcave. Batman introduces the two boys to each other. Robin offers his hand and Damian refuses to shake it. Batman tells Damian to follow Alfred into the mansion and get some rest. Damian tells Batman not to order him around and then Damian tells off Alfred.

Batman then fills Robin in on what has happened over the last two issues with regard to Talia and her army of Man-bats. Robin is stunned. Batman promises that this changes nothing between the two of them in particular Bruce adopting Tim. Batman says that Damian has had a hard childhood and his insane mother has molded him into a weapon and not a boy. That Damian deserves some love and respect from Batman. Robin is pissed. Robin says that Damian should earn that love and respect just like everyone else. Robin then says that he arrived to tell Batman that the Spook is holding the Mayor hostage at Blackgate prison, but that Batman can handle it himself. With that, Robin storms out of the Batcave.

We shift to Batman checking on Damian in his quarters. Damian demands a computer and his sword. Batman denies both requests. Damian continues to rant like a total brat. Batman snaps and yells at him that Damian is dishonoring his sensei with such behavior that is unbefitting a student of the martial arts. Damian cowers before the Batman and quietly agrees to follow his father’s orders.

We cut to the Spook’s two thugs discussing working for criminals like the Spook. One of them is wearing a police wire and is discovered by the other thug. Commissioner Gordon orders his men to the scene. Batman swoops in and takes out the one thug and then finds the hostages unharmed. The Spook however, has had his head cut off. The head is missing.

We shift to the Batcave where Damian is practicing with his sword. Robin arrives and offers to spar Damian. Damian tells Robin that he can mimic voices and that he mimicked Robin’s voice to sneak out of the Batcave and take down the Spook to show Batman that he could fight crime. Damian then takes the Spook’s head out of his bag. Robin is angry and yells that they don’t kill. Damian then attacks Robin and the two brawl. Damian ends up nailing Robin with a total cheap shot and Robin falls from high up in the Batcave and hits the ground with a thud.

Batman then arrives in the Batcave. Damian tells Batman that he wants to help Batman. That only they can stand against Talia. Batman says he already has a partner and demands to know where Robin is. Damian is wearing his own version of a Robin outfit and tells Batman that the Tim quit. That there is a new robin now. We see Tim crumpled on the Batcave floor unconscious and bleeding. End of issue.

Comments
The Good: Morrison delivers another good read. I am really enjoying Morrison’s run on this title. This issue was well paced and presented a nice mix of action and drama. Morrison’s dialogue is well constructed as he clearly has a good feel for all the characters. I like the chemistry between Batman, Robin and Damian. Morrison’s story is well constructed and is delivered with a clear direction and purpose.

What has really impressed me has been how Morrison has handled Batman’s personality. I think that Robinson went too far in the “shiny happy Batman” direction with his take on the Batman in the One Year Later story arc. On the other hand, I think Frank Miller goes a bit over the top with the tough and psychotic Batman over in All Star Batman. I think Morrison gives a lovely blend of those two versions of Batman. Morrison shows Batman’s tender side when Batman tells Robin that Damian deserves Batman’s love and respect. Batman actually saying the word “love” is amazing enough. By showing a more emotional Batman, I think Morrison is giving us a more complex and engaging Batman. It is ok that he loves people that are close to him. It is ok that he shows his human side to his loved ones.

Yet, Morrison is also able to deliver this more emotional Batman with a very tough and hardcore Batman. When Batman verbally rips into Damian he comes across as the stern take no crap sensei. Batman also still has his gruff personality when in his costume and still likes to inflict plenty of pain on his opponents. I like this blend of the emotional Batman with the hardcore tough Batman. I think Morrison is giving us the best of both worlds with his version of the Batman.

I liked the inevitable friction between the two “sons” in Tim and Damian. Clearly, Tim is the good son and Damian is the total brat. I like that Morrison is writing Damian as an unlikable little spoiled brat who is also a total psychopath. I thought Robin’s reaction to Damian being brought into the Bat family was perfect. Obviously, Tim is going to feel threatened and is going to be jealous. Tim has worked so hard for the Batman’s love and more importantly his respect. To see Batman decide to give his love and respect to someone like Damian who has done nothing to earn it rightfully angers Tim. It is going to be interesting to see how Batman resolves this problem with having both Damian and Tim under one roof.

This issue had a great ending that really hooked the reader. We have Damian in his version of the Robin costume while Tim is lying battered and bleeding on the floor of the Batcave. Seeing what Batman does next should be very entertaining. I suspect that Damian just may be in for a beating from Daddy.

Kubert does a nice job with the artwork. I like his style and think he draws a pretty cool Batman. I thought his two page splash shot of the Batcave was nicely done. Kubert is creating a nice look that makes this an enjoyable title to read.

The Bad: I’m still not totally sold on this “Son of Bat” story. I don’t like the idea of Batman having a child. I also don’t like the idea of Batman having his biological son coming to live with him right on the heels of adopting Tim. It just overshadows the magnitude of Bruce deciding to adopt Tim as his son. Hopefully, Morrison won’t have Damian around for too long. “Daddy” Bruce dealing with two sons is not really the Batman that I want to read about.

Overall: Batman #657 was a good read. Morrison is constructing an entertaining story that has certainly captivated my interest. This title is blessed with both a talented writer and a talented artist. That almost always leads to a comic that is well worth your money. I definitely would recommend this title to anyone who hasn’t read Batman in a while.