Last month we left Robin in the grip of Man-Bat, who is revealed to be Shush’s boss and the “big bad” of this arc, if not the entire run. I also ended off my last review saying I hoped things would turn around for this book. It just isn’t as good as it should be. Unfortunately, this issue isn’t changing my mind. Let’s get into it.
We open once again on a flashback to Damian’s past that (initially) feels pointless. He fights some ninja and answers some test questions his instructor asks. Then the instructor belittles him and hits him before Talia steps in and removes her. By the end of the issue (spoiler alert) it seems that this instructor is Damian’s Principal at school now and possibly also Shush. So, the flashback serves a purpose but I’m still not into it. It always seems cheap to me to introduce someone to a character’s past in the same story that introduces them in the present. Comics do it all the time but I don’t think that makes it okay. You can’t tell me this character is super important to Damian just because you showed me a flashback or two to introduce her. Equally, putting her in Damian’s school is a bad idea. It now ensures that any pages devoted to that side of his life are still revolving around his superhero life. We won’t be getting anything like a private life for Damian any time soon. Speaking of school, this issue spends a total of three in front of the school. We’re four issues in. When are we going to spend some real time there?
As far as the super-heroics go I’m even more concerned. Man-Bat is so out of character it’s ridiculous. Since when has he been a criminal mastermind and since when can he talk in bat form? (They do mention his apparent death, maybe all this is related to that Man-Bat series from a few years ago that I didn't read... or I just forgot what he's been up to recently.) Man-Bat is one of my least favorite Batman villains anyway (sorry, Man-Bat fans) but this makes him so much more dislikable. Now he’s just smug plotting villain #956.
This issue also feels weird because it seems like the end of an arc but nothing is wrapped up. All the hallmarks of a final issue are here. The characters split to go different ways, the villain goes into hiding, new plot points for the next arc are unearthed, and Damian’s “I don’t want to go to school” plot comes to a close. Despite that, it feels like nothing has happened since the book started. Every plot point is left dangling as well so the issue just feels sloppy. This whole title feels sloppy, honestly.
There is some news on the art front this month. Di Meo draws less than half this of issue and doesn’t draw any of the next two. I don’t know if he’s off the book or just taking a break but Nikola Čižmešija will be a welcome change going forward if that’s the case. In this issue, however, Mikel Janín is doing the fill-in pages. Personally, I’m not a fan of Janín’s work. It’s generally kind of soulless and flat-looking. Surprisingly, his work here does have more character to it. I notice certain characteristics in the figures are exaggerated and there is a much greater use of shadow than I’m used to in his work.
Granted I’m also just happy to be seeing art with good sequential flow and clarity on this title but there are some legitimately cool pages from Janín here.
Recommended if…
- You’ve been waiting for an art change on this title
- Damian’s impending return to school has you excited
- You always thought Man-Bat should talk more
Overall
This was a weak issue just like the last one but there is at least some hope again that things will get better. Hopefully, with a different artist, next issue will mark a change in direction for this series.
Score: 4/10
DISCLAIMER: DC Comics provided Batman News with a copy of this comic for the purposes of this review
