What do you think?
Rate this book
Batman and Robin (2011)
Batman and Robin, Volume 4: Requiem for Damian
Shocked and devastated by the death of his son Damian, Batman suddenly finds himself without a Robin…and without direction in a world that no longer seems to make sense.
Now, the members of Batman’s extended family will rally to his side and try to temporarily fill the void in his life. But can even these friends, family members and lovers help Batman forgive himself for the greatest tragedy he’s faced? Or will his own guilt finally become the one enemy the Dark Knight can’t defeat?
The bestselling acclaimed creative team of Peter Tomasi (FOREVER EVIL: ARKHAM WAR) and Patrick Gleason (GREEN LANTERN CORPS) explore Batman’s life after losing his partner…and his son.
Collecting: Batman and Robin #18-23, including the critically acclaimed “silent issue”.
Now, the members of Batman’s extended family will rally to his side and try to temporarily fill the void in his life. But can even these friends, family members and lovers help Batman forgive himself for the greatest tragedy he’s faced? Or will his own guilt finally become the one enemy the Dark Knight can’t defeat?
The bestselling acclaimed creative team of Peter Tomasi (FOREVER EVIL: ARKHAM WAR) and Patrick Gleason (GREEN LANTERN CORPS) explore Batman’s life after losing his partner…and his son.
Collecting: Batman and Robin #18-23, including the critically acclaimed “silent issue”.
176 pages, Paperback
First published June 10, 2014
40 people are currently reading
1497 people want to read
About the author
Peter J. Tomasi
1,394 books468 followersPeter J. Tomasi is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, such as Batman And Robin; Superman; Super Sons; Batman: Detective Comics; Green Lantern Corps; and Superman/Wonder Woman; as well as Batman: Arkham Knight; Brightest Day; Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors; Nightwing; Black Adam, and many more.
In the course of his staff career at DC Comics, Tomasi served as a group editor and ushered in new eras for Batman, Green Lantern, and the JSA, along with a host of special projects like Kingdom Come.
He is also the author of the creator-owned titles House Of Penance with artist Ian Bertram; Light Brigade with artist Peter Snejbjerg; The Mighty with Keith Champagne and Chris Samnee; and the critically acclaimed epic graphic novel The Bridge: How The Roeblings Connected Brooklyn To New York, illustrated by Sara DuVall and published by Abrams ComicArts.
In 2018 New York Times best-selling author Tomasi received the Inkpot Award for achievement in comics.
In the course of his staff career at DC Comics, Tomasi served as a group editor and ushered in new eras for Batman, Green Lantern, and the JSA, along with a host of special projects like Kingdom Come.
He is also the author of the creator-owned titles House Of Penance with artist Ian Bertram; Light Brigade with artist Peter Snejbjerg; The Mighty with Keith Champagne and Chris Samnee; and the critically acclaimed epic graphic novel The Bridge: How The Roeblings Connected Brooklyn To New York, illustrated by Sara DuVall and published by Abrams ComicArts.
In 2018 New York Times best-selling author Tomasi received the Inkpot Award for achievement in comics.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews
May 6, 2021
(A-) 84% | Very Good
Notes: Pure poignancy, it paints perdition in pigments of primal passion, previous partnerships, and perfectly poetic panels.
Notes: Pure poignancy, it paints perdition in pigments of primal passion, previous partnerships, and perfectly poetic panels.
November 5, 2014
4.5 stars
I wasn't sure how well I was going to like this one, but it was really fantastic.
There are a lot of panels with no text, where the art does a fabulous job of conveying the emotion of the story.
You can feel the grief, anger, and total despair Bruce feels over Damien's death, and they did it all without resorting to any hokey or used-up lines that we've all heard a thousand times before.
And, of course, it isn't just Bruce that feels Damien's loss.
Again, you can see the emotion. That's where this volume really shines.
That's not to say that the story isn't up to par with the artwork, though.
As the title suggests, this one deals with the aftermath of Damien's death, and (mainly) how it affects Bruce.
So the question becomes this:
How does Batman deal with the all-consuming grief of losing a child?
About as well as you'd expect.
That is to say, not well at all.
It's a fairly dark journey for him. He ping-pongs between lashing out violently toward criminals, trying (pretty immoral ways) to bring his son back, and returning over and over again to the night he died, in a effort to find out what he could have done differently.
So. Not a Beach Read.
But in the end, Tomasi give a little bit of closure to the characters, so you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Anyhoo. Good stuff.
I wasn't sure how well I was going to like this one, but it was really fantastic.
There are a lot of panels with no text, where the art does a fabulous job of conveying the emotion of the story.
You can feel the grief, anger, and total despair Bruce feels over Damien's death, and they did it all without resorting to any hokey or used-up lines that we've all heard a thousand times before.
And, of course, it isn't just Bruce that feels Damien's loss.
Again, you can see the emotion. That's where this volume really shines.
That's not to say that the story isn't up to par with the artwork, though.
As the title suggests, this one deals with the aftermath of Damien's death, and (mainly) how it affects Bruce.
So the question becomes this:
How does Batman deal with the all-consuming grief of losing a child?
About as well as you'd expect.
That is to say, not well at all.
It's a fairly dark journey for him. He ping-pongs between lashing out violently toward criminals, trying (pretty immoral ways) to bring his son back, and returning over and over again to the night he died, in a effort to find out what he could have done differently.
So. Not a Beach Read.
But in the end, Tomasi give a little bit of closure to the characters, so you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Anyhoo. Good stuff.
November 9, 2017
Set in the wake of the dramatic events from Batman Incorporated, Volume 2: Gotham’s Most Wanted, Batman mourns his son’s death. And then goes mental trying to bring him back to life! Someone should’ve told Bruce to chill – superheroes never stay dead for long!
I know, I’m real late to the party on this one! Maybe if I’d read this at the time I’d find Batman & Robin, Volume 4: Requiem for Damian more moving, but, now that he’s been back in the DCU for a while now, I found the sorrow a bit overwrought and tedious.
That said, B&R #18 aka “the silent issue” was still quality. Writer Peter Tomasi hands the storytelling reins over to artist Patrick Gleason who absolutely knocks it out of the park with one powerful image after another of Batman dealing with the immediate grief of Damian’s death. I wasn’t terribly affected but I still appreciated that the issue was well done.
Most of the book sees Batman fruitlessly try to find ways to bring Damian back. In a couple of mediocre, pointless and alarmingly uncharacteristic episodes he hunts down and dissects Frankenstein before teaming up with trigger-happy Red Hood (aka Robin #2, Jason Todd). I guess he’s a grieving father so his mad behaviour is somewhat excusable. I did find it weird though that throughout all Batman’s resurrection efforts no-one mentioned Lazarus Pits – I mean, Damian’s granddad is Mr Lazarus Pit, Ra’s Al-Ghul!
It’s appropriate that in the same book that Bruce acts like Frank Miller’s cold and brutal Goddamn Batman that Carrie Kelley makes her New 52 debut. And what fortuitous timing! The Robin post has just been vacated so Carrie can step in, right? Wrong! The whole thing is a red herring as Tomasi instead makes Carrie Damian’s dance instructor(!) and dog carer. Her story arc is so forgettable and pointless – a completely wasted opportunity (a criticism which could be applied to most of the New 52).
By the Batgirl and Catwoman issues, I was just tired of the repetitive nature of the storytelling: Batman’s pissed, his friends reach out, he blanks them. It didn’t help that the Batgirl and Catwoman stories were the most boring and needless here.
The book closes strongly though with Batman and Nightwing reliving Damian’s death in that fateful final battle against Leviathan through the magic of the most advanced VR headsets ever (hey, it’s superhero comics)! It’s still a powerful scene to re-read years later – which says more about Grant Morrison’s writing than Tomasi’s – though Alfred’s reaction brought back the waterworks.
Requiem for Damian is a mixed bag. It’s got a couple of brilliant issues sandwiching a handful of middling-to-crap ones, while the art of Patrick Gleason, who drew most of the book, is fantastic throughout. It would’ve been a fitting farewell to Damian, the best new Batman character of recent years, had his popularity not demanded a swift and inevitable return, undercutting the emotional send-off. It’s still better than most Batman books though!
I know, I’m real late to the party on this one! Maybe if I’d read this at the time I’d find Batman & Robin, Volume 4: Requiem for Damian more moving, but, now that he’s been back in the DCU for a while now, I found the sorrow a bit overwrought and tedious.
That said, B&R #18 aka “the silent issue” was still quality. Writer Peter Tomasi hands the storytelling reins over to artist Patrick Gleason who absolutely knocks it out of the park with one powerful image after another of Batman dealing with the immediate grief of Damian’s death. I wasn’t terribly affected but I still appreciated that the issue was well done.
Most of the book sees Batman fruitlessly try to find ways to bring Damian back. In a couple of mediocre, pointless and alarmingly uncharacteristic episodes he hunts down and dissects Frankenstein before teaming up with trigger-happy Red Hood (aka Robin #2, Jason Todd). I guess he’s a grieving father so his mad behaviour is somewhat excusable. I did find it weird though that throughout all Batman’s resurrection efforts no-one mentioned Lazarus Pits – I mean, Damian’s granddad is Mr Lazarus Pit, Ra’s Al-Ghul!
It’s appropriate that in the same book that Bruce acts like Frank Miller’s cold and brutal Goddamn Batman that Carrie Kelley makes her New 52 debut. And what fortuitous timing! The Robin post has just been vacated so Carrie can step in, right? Wrong! The whole thing is a red herring as Tomasi instead makes Carrie Damian’s dance instructor(!) and dog carer. Her story arc is so forgettable and pointless – a completely wasted opportunity (a criticism which could be applied to most of the New 52).
By the Batgirl and Catwoman issues, I was just tired of the repetitive nature of the storytelling: Batman’s pissed, his friends reach out, he blanks them. It didn’t help that the Batgirl and Catwoman stories were the most boring and needless here.
The book closes strongly though with Batman and Nightwing reliving Damian’s death in that fateful final battle against Leviathan through the magic of the most advanced VR headsets ever (hey, it’s superhero comics)! It’s still a powerful scene to re-read years later – which says more about Grant Morrison’s writing than Tomasi’s – though Alfred’s reaction brought back the waterworks.
Requiem for Damian is a mixed bag. It’s got a couple of brilliant issues sandwiching a handful of middling-to-crap ones, while the art of Patrick Gleason, who drew most of the book, is fantastic throughout. It would’ve been a fitting farewell to Damian, the best new Batman character of recent years, had his popularity not demanded a swift and inevitable return, undercutting the emotional send-off. It’s still better than most Batman books though!
November 12, 2025
2025 Review - Well don't mind me as I cry my eyes out. The first and last issue are particularly hard to get through now that I'm a father.
2017 Review - Death is never easy to deal with. You can hear about someone you knew just a little dying and you become sad. You can even hear about a person you never met who had died and feel something. When it's your family or friends it's the toughest. Now losing your kid...I can't imagine. This volume covers the stages of loss with a perfect balance I couldn't get over it. The way Bruce must come to terms of losing his 10l year old son is both heartbreaking and character defining. It shows a man who never takes no or impossible for a answer tries to push people around him to the edge to get what he wants back.
His son.
But maybe this time it isn't as simple as being smart or finding a way. Maybe it's about accepting it. That might be the one mission Batman can't do.
What I liked: The first issue is top 10 issues of comics of all time for me. It has no dialog, just shows Bruce first dealing with his sons death. It's touching, it's heartbreaking, it's so well done it nearly made me cry. I loved the next few issues dealing with the Batfamily and how they interact with Bruce who's mourning. The highlights being Red Hood (Jason) issue and Dick's issue. Both very well done but the best moment comes at the very end of the volume when we see Alfred come to terms of losing Damien. We forget sometimes that besides Bruce Alfred has lost just as much. Hell, he even lost Bruce at one point. It truly is a scene that'll make you teary eye atleast.
What I didn't like: Catwomen arc wasn't as good as the rest but hardly bad. I get the message and a good diversion from the remaining ones.
This is hands down some of the best Batman has to offer. This will go down as my favorite volume in New52, or atleast top 5. It's so well crafted, written, and executed that I dunno if I'd read it again because I don't wanna cry. Thank you Peter for giving humanity to so many characters and making us feel for them. A 5/5.
2017 Review - Death is never easy to deal with. You can hear about someone you knew just a little dying and you become sad. You can even hear about a person you never met who had died and feel something. When it's your family or friends it's the toughest. Now losing your kid...I can't imagine. This volume covers the stages of loss with a perfect balance I couldn't get over it. The way Bruce must come to terms of losing his 10l year old son is both heartbreaking and character defining. It shows a man who never takes no or impossible for a answer tries to push people around him to the edge to get what he wants back.
His son.
But maybe this time it isn't as simple as being smart or finding a way. Maybe it's about accepting it. That might be the one mission Batman can't do.
What I liked: The first issue is top 10 issues of comics of all time for me. It has no dialog, just shows Bruce first dealing with his sons death. It's touching, it's heartbreaking, it's so well done it nearly made me cry. I loved the next few issues dealing with the Batfamily and how they interact with Bruce who's mourning. The highlights being Red Hood (Jason) issue and Dick's issue. Both very well done but the best moment comes at the very end of the volume when we see Alfred come to terms of losing Damien. We forget sometimes that besides Bruce Alfred has lost just as much. Hell, he even lost Bruce at one point. It truly is a scene that'll make you teary eye atleast.
What I didn't like: Catwomen arc wasn't as good as the rest but hardly bad. I get the message and a good diversion from the remaining ones.
This is hands down some of the best Batman has to offer. This will go down as my favorite volume in New52, or atleast top 5. It's so well crafted, written, and executed that I dunno if I'd read it again because I don't wanna cry. Thank you Peter for giving humanity to so many characters and making us feel for them. A 5/5.
May 18, 2016
I'm in the middle of the huge Forever Evil story arc so I've stopped most series around issue 23 for the time being. I kind of put off catching up on a few series due to the way they handled Damian's death. And to be honest, I was getting sick of emo Batman (I know I'm not being fair but in some series, like Catwoman, he was acting like a complete dick) so I started reading the various Justice League titles instead.
So far though, I think Batman and Robin really handles the loss of Damian the best. I liked seeing how each member of the Bat-family dealt with it. Although I'm afraid of how Carrie is going to react.
The final few pages of issue 23 actually made me teary-eyed. Maybe because Alfred isn't a superhero and so his emotions feel more human and real.
So sad :'(
So far though, I think Batman and Robin really handles the loss of Damian the best. I liked seeing how each member of the Bat-family dealt with it. Although I'm afraid of how Carrie is going to react.
The final few pages of issue 23 actually made me teary-eyed. Maybe because Alfred isn't a superhero and so his emotions feel more human and real.
So sad :'(
July 12, 2018
This was solid. The emotional 18 was great but I found the others just ok and not nailbiting to the degree where I got that hooked feeling. Batman loses a family member and goes a littlr mental.
March 16, 2015
This week with the Shallow Comic Readers Buddy read: Batman!
Tomasi finally redeems himself after a couple of crappy volumes with this collection of stories dealing with Batman and family and their reaction to the death of Damian Wayne.
The first issue is a silent one with no dialog, no captions, just pretty pictures by Patrick Gleason showing a distraught Batman kicking ass throughout Gotham. Soon, the title reverted into a Batman and.... (insert name of guest star). We get Frankenstein, Catwoman, Red Robin, Batgirl, Red Hood, and Nightwing.
Batman acts dickish like the Silver Age Superman, and basically uses his family and Frank to find a way to bring Damian back to life. What he did to Red Hood was really kinda shitty, but Tomasi makes it seem natural for Batman to hurt Jason's feelings. I was a bit troubled by his forced dissection of Frankenstein, however, and that really didn't seem right.
Most surprising was Batgirl's offer to become Robin if that would help, which I thought, sure, that's just what Batman needs (eye roll), and I'm still not completely sure what everyone is so pissed at Batman about over what happened with Joker over in the main Batman title. Their reactions seem pretty juvenile, to me, especially Batgirl removing her bat symbol.
Either way, the last chapter with Nightwing even brought a tear to my cynic's eye. I've always loved Damian Wayne, and his obnoxious behavior will be missed. At least until they bring him back.
Tomasi finally redeems himself after a couple of crappy volumes with this collection of stories dealing with Batman and family and their reaction to the death of Damian Wayne.
The first issue is a silent one with no dialog, no captions, just pretty pictures by Patrick Gleason showing a distraught Batman kicking ass throughout Gotham. Soon, the title reverted into a Batman and.... (insert name of guest star). We get Frankenstein, Catwoman, Red Robin, Batgirl, Red Hood, and Nightwing.
Batman acts dickish like the Silver Age Superman, and basically uses his family and Frank to find a way to bring Damian back to life. What he did to Red Hood was really kinda shitty, but Tomasi makes it seem natural for Batman to hurt Jason's feelings. I was a bit troubled by his forced dissection of Frankenstein, however, and that really didn't seem right.
Most surprising was Batgirl's offer to become Robin if that would help, which I thought, sure, that's just what Batman needs (eye roll), and I'm still not completely sure what everyone is so pissed at Batman about over what happened with Joker over in the main Batman title. Their reactions seem pretty juvenile, to me, especially Batgirl removing her bat symbol.
Either way, the last chapter with Nightwing even brought a tear to my cynic's eye. I've always loved Damian Wayne, and his obnoxious behavior will be missed. At least until they bring him back.
January 8, 2022
This one was so emotional and good.
It starts off with the Requiem for Damian after his death in Batman Inc from the heretic hands and then we see Bruce reeling from that and that silent issue is hands down one of the best and then team up issues with different Robins and also showing five stages of grief like how he experiments with Frankenstein to resurrect his son or the one with Jason ad that anger-filled issue is so good and raw and emotional or the one with Barbara where she is trying to handle him but he lashes out at her and yeah some real emotional stuff and well the best being in the end with Dick and seeing Alfred and how he deals with it, this volume kinda grounds Batman and shows his humanity and what it feels like to lose a son.
Its very deep and emotional and some instances can feel like Bruce being an a-hole but its a father dealing with the loss of his world and Tomasi and Gleason excel at it and I love it, Tomasi knows how to go deep into these characters and give them that humanity which makes them so much more relatable and I love his writing for it! Plus the art by Gleason is some of the best ever and one of my top 5 Batman books for sure.
It starts off with the Requiem for Damian after his death in Batman Inc from the heretic hands and then we see Bruce reeling from that and that silent issue is hands down one of the best and then team up issues with different Robins and also showing five stages of grief like how he experiments with Frankenstein to resurrect his son or the one with Jason ad that anger-filled issue is so good and raw and emotional or the one with Barbara where she is trying to handle him but he lashes out at her and yeah some real emotional stuff and well the best being in the end with Dick and seeing Alfred and how he deals with it, this volume kinda grounds Batman and shows his humanity and what it feels like to lose a son.
Its very deep and emotional and some instances can feel like Bruce being an a-hole but its a father dealing with the loss of his world and Tomasi and Gleason excel at it and I love it, Tomasi knows how to go deep into these characters and give them that humanity which makes them so much more relatable and I love his writing for it! Plus the art by Gleason is some of the best ever and one of my top 5 Batman books for sure.
August 23, 2016
This homage of emotional fallout after the death of Damian has its moments. The Bat Family tries to heal from their wounds. I like how there is no "other" major crisis taking place while this transpires as it would otherwise dilute the emotional process.
OVERALL GRADE: B to B plus.
OVERALL GRADE: B to B plus.
April 3, 2025
4.25 stars
Oh, I cried twice. First issue is just excellent. No dialog, no writing on the page, just a beautiful portrayal of grief. It's Batman losing himself in the night, fighting his pain through violence and self-punishment. Damian's loss is beautifully illustrated by having mundane panels of him accompanying Batman, put together with the present ones of Batman lonely in the cave, driving the Batmobile alone and patrolling the streets of Gotham.
Just a very touching and masterfully done issue that gets even better when you get the script as a bonus in the end of the volume.
All next five issues explore the stages of grief. Each of them have a member of the Batfamily (Red Robin, Red Hood, Batgirl, Catwoman and finally Nightwing) helping Batman's journey from trying to find a way to resuscitate Damian, to getting revenge on people that hunted Damian, and to finally make peace with his pain.
Ugh, it was so good.
Though Bruce is desperate and lashing out constantly, isolating himself and pushing everyone away, his portrayal is heartbreaking. Tim, Babs and especially Jason get the short end of the stick and it's actually painful to see Bruce punishing them for ultimately being concerned about him.
I loved the Catwoman issue. Not a surprise since I'm a sucker for Batcat. But it was the best issue to have before 'acceptance'. Seeing Bruce being tricked by Catwoman to team up with her for a rescue mission that ends up having Bruce rescuing a five year old girl and finally smiling for the first time was heartwarming.
The last issue of this collection was once again a tear-jerker. Bruce reliving the moment he loses Damian to see if he could've saved him and then at the end, Alfred using the same machine to have a heart to heart with this fake Damian absolutely broke my heart. Though the volume mostly focuses on Bruce's feelings, it's actually two fathers that are grieving and it's just great writing.
Though I have some tiny complaints, they mostly are about the nature of publishing and missing context/having to read other titles to get the complete experience. Sadly, something out of control of this team.
However, I'm so impressed with this volume. Such beautiful work, this run has been an amazing surprise from the start.
Oh, I cried twice. First issue is just excellent. No dialog, no writing on the page, just a beautiful portrayal of grief. It's Batman losing himself in the night, fighting his pain through violence and self-punishment. Damian's loss is beautifully illustrated by having mundane panels of him accompanying Batman, put together with the present ones of Batman lonely in the cave, driving the Batmobile alone and patrolling the streets of Gotham.
Just a very touching and masterfully done issue that gets even better when you get the script as a bonus in the end of the volume.
All next five issues explore the stages of grief. Each of them have a member of the Batfamily (Red Robin, Red Hood, Batgirl, Catwoman and finally Nightwing) helping Batman's journey from trying to find a way to resuscitate Damian, to getting revenge on people that hunted Damian, and to finally make peace with his pain.
Ugh, it was so good.
Though Bruce is desperate and lashing out constantly, isolating himself and pushing everyone away, his portrayal is heartbreaking. Tim, Babs and especially Jason get the short end of the stick and it's actually painful to see Bruce punishing them for ultimately being concerned about him.
I loved the Catwoman issue. Not a surprise since I'm a sucker for Batcat. But it was the best issue to have before 'acceptance'. Seeing Bruce being tricked by Catwoman to team up with her for a rescue mission that ends up having Bruce rescuing a five year old girl and finally smiling for the first time was heartwarming.
The last issue of this collection was once again a tear-jerker. Bruce reliving the moment he loses Damian to see if he could've saved him and then at the end, Alfred using the same machine to have a heart to heart with this fake Damian absolutely broke my heart. Though the volume mostly focuses on Bruce's feelings, it's actually two fathers that are grieving and it's just great writing.
Though I have some tiny complaints, they mostly are about the nature of publishing and missing context/having to read other titles to get the complete experience. Sadly, something out of control of this team.
However, I'm so impressed with this volume. Such beautiful work, this run has been an amazing surprise from the start.
November 8, 2014
The first issue is entirely wordless, all done with artwork, and a stand-out job by Patrick Gleason. It's true, picture is worth a thousand words, and these pictures say it all. There's no way you could write what needs to be communicated...The use of the art form is at some of it's best work here...the last page, where you see Bruce find a note Damian left for him...utterly heartbreaking; his reaction is spot on. I was also glad to see they focused on Alfred as well.
The rest of the book is Robin and (well the other Robins actually) Red Robin goes to stop Batman from making a terrible mistake and perverting the memory of his son (and features an appearance by a certain monster).
Batgirl tries to stop Batman from being overly violent with criminals, and it's kind of odd what transpires...
The next features Batman and Red Hood teaming up to stop assassins, but it actually ends up being for an entirely different reason, which rightfully angers Jason, and though understandable, it is sad to see.
There's also a few appearances by Carrie Kelley (who was Robin in Frank Miller's DARK KNIGHT RETURNS) who was actually tutoring Damian in theatre and other cultural forms. It's an interesting development, as she may be playing a larger role in the future...
Of course, the final issue of the collection features the other Batman to Damian's Robin: Nightwing. Dick is written perfectly here. He doesn't try to stop Bruce or change his mind, or get in his way, he simply lets him do what he has to, and instead of telling him not to, he goes along for the ride. I'm not ashamed to admit, the way Dick handles the situation left me a little misty eyed. I love how he's turned out here, and I think maybe we're meant to realize that, and balance it against Bruce never getting to see Damian get to grow the same way.
This is probably Tomasi's best work on the title so far. I was more than impressed, and while some of the things didn't ring entirely true, the motivation/emotion behind them made perfect sense.
I'm considering buying #18 as a single issue just to have the textless masterpiece by Gleason.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for people who liked Damian and miss him, and for people who like to see an emotionally damaged Dark Knight in his darkest days.
Get this review and more at:
The rest of the book is Robin and (well the other Robins actually) Red Robin goes to stop Batman from making a terrible mistake and perverting the memory of his son (and features an appearance by a certain monster).
Batgirl tries to stop Batman from being overly violent with criminals, and it's kind of odd what transpires...
The next features Batman and Red Hood teaming up to stop assassins, but it actually ends up being for an entirely different reason, which rightfully angers Jason, and though understandable, it is sad to see.
There's also a few appearances by Carrie Kelley (who was Robin in Frank Miller's DARK KNIGHT RETURNS) who was actually tutoring Damian in theatre and other cultural forms. It's an interesting development, as she may be playing a larger role in the future...
Of course, the final issue of the collection features the other Batman to Damian's Robin: Nightwing. Dick is written perfectly here. He doesn't try to stop Bruce or change his mind, or get in his way, he simply lets him do what he has to, and instead of telling him not to, he goes along for the ride. I'm not ashamed to admit, the way Dick handles the situation left me a little misty eyed. I love how he's turned out here, and I think maybe we're meant to realize that, and balance it against Bruce never getting to see Damian get to grow the same way.
This is probably Tomasi's best work on the title so far. I was more than impressed, and while some of the things didn't ring entirely true, the motivation/emotion behind them made perfect sense.
I'm considering buying #18 as a single issue just to have the textless masterpiece by Gleason.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for people who liked Damian and miss him, and for people who like to see an emotionally damaged Dark Knight in his darkest days.
Get this review and more at:
April 13, 2018
Unfortunately my appreciation for Requiem for Damian is tempered the lack of the narrative being contained to just this series. I've read volumes 1 through 4 in order in two weeks, and I was caught off-guard and a little confused at first by 4's story-line. When did this death occur? Thank goodness for other GR reviewers / reviews that made me aware that Batman, Incorporated (which I read . . . . seven months and 200+ books ago, so I don't recall it anymore) would fill in the blanks.
So while it was a good (sometimes great) book I think DC deserves a death glare for jerking around the readers who are trying to concentrate on one title at a time. Okay, my rant is over.
So while it was a good (sometimes great) book I think DC deserves a death glare for jerking around the readers who are trying to concentrate on one title at a time. Okay, my rant is over.
August 30, 2014
Heavy, Bruce spends the whole volume bumming around and thinking of ways to resurrect Damian (i.e. it's kind of dark).
February 17, 2017
No words to describe how I'm feeling..
Okay, apparently Damian is gone... Missed that somehow... and I'm trying to be so immaculate with the timeline *Cries out*
Well, there's just tooooo much to read, so I guess I'll have to read even more, starting with Batman Inc. apparently...
So basically this volume is all about Bruce lashing out and his team trying to comfort him...
Very deep and sad story of course..
But at the end I actually felt my eyes tearing up.. Not gonna spoil why, what happened that made me so emotional, you just have to find out for yourself :)
I'm off, trying to get a new grip on this fr****ing timeline :p
Okay, apparently Damian is gone... Missed that somehow... and I'm trying to be so immaculate with the timeline *Cries out*
Well, there's just tooooo much to read, so I guess I'll have to read even more, starting with Batman Inc. apparently...
So basically this volume is all about Bruce lashing out and his team trying to comfort him...
Very deep and sad story of course..
But at the end I actually felt my eyes tearing up.. Not gonna spoil why, what happened that made me so emotional, you just have to find out for yourself :)
I'm off, trying to get a new grip on this fr****ing timeline :p
June 9, 2019
I don't even know what to say about this one.
I mean, perhaps reading the issue where Tim grieved along with this was a bad idea. As was the issue where Harper Row tried to help Bruce with his grief. They were wonderfully written issues, but it just made this even harder to read. It's rare that a comic book death really gets to me because 9/10, they always come back. This is no exception - even knowing that Damian comes back, even actively reading a series where he's is very much alive, this book still made me cry with nearly every issue.
The start, the silent issue where Alfred and Bruce move through the mansion like ghosts was beautifully done. Alfred's silent grief, Bruce learning more about Damian through the belongings he left behind, it was perfect. And the ending where Bruce cradles the Robin uniform was heart wrenching.
Bruce's descent into madness was hard to read - but necessary. This book was mainly about Bruce burning bridges with what was left of his family. He shut Tim, Alfred, Babs and later Jason out as he tried to bring Damian back.
What happened with Jason was the hardest to read in some ways - it was the beating Bruce had been looking for. He can chase after criminals and assassins and beat them up, take away their ability to ever use their hands again - he can do all of that and tell himself he’s doing it for public good but, at the heart of it, I think he was chasing a beating. He wanted someone to punish him physically to match the way he’s been punishing himself internally. But, it had to be someone that earned the right to punish him and I think he chased this fight with Jason because Jason was yet another child Bruce failed and arrived too late to save. It made sense, as awful as it was for Jason to experience.
Carrie Kelley was the only bright light in all of this and even that came with a lot of pain because we learn that Damian was paying her for acting lessons and he was a natural! Carrie came to get to know him and think of him as a little brother. She constantly asked after him because his "trip to Europe" wasn't mentioned before. I was left wondering why Damian took the lessons in the first place- did he think it would be fun? Was he doing it to bond with Alfred?
This volume as a whole served it's purpose. It's one of those rare books where the Batman-ing is hard to watch because this is Bruce completely uncontrolled.
Peter J. Tomasi’s handling of Bruce’s grief in combination with how Alfred handled everything (grieving, unshakeable guilt and trying to keep Bruce alive all at the same time) - all the guilt and the intense silence of the manor - it broke my heart. And for that, I have to commend them for a job well done because I can’t remember the last time a comic arc really made me cry this much.
I mean, perhaps reading the issue where Tim grieved along with this was a bad idea. As was the issue where Harper Row tried to help Bruce with his grief. They were wonderfully written issues, but it just made this even harder to read. It's rare that a comic book death really gets to me because 9/10, they always come back. This is no exception - even knowing that Damian comes back, even actively reading a series where he's is very much alive, this book still made me cry with nearly every issue.
The start, the silent issue where Alfred and Bruce move through the mansion like ghosts was beautifully done. Alfred's silent grief, Bruce learning more about Damian through the belongings he left behind, it was perfect. And the ending where Bruce cradles the Robin uniform was heart wrenching.
Bruce's descent into madness was hard to read - but necessary. This book was mainly about Bruce burning bridges with what was left of his family. He shut Tim, Alfred, Babs and later Jason out as he tried to bring Damian back.
What happened with Jason was the hardest to read in some ways - it was the beating Bruce had been looking for. He can chase after criminals and assassins and beat them up, take away their ability to ever use their hands again - he can do all of that and tell himself he’s doing it for public good but, at the heart of it, I think he was chasing a beating. He wanted someone to punish him physically to match the way he’s been punishing himself internally. But, it had to be someone that earned the right to punish him and I think he chased this fight with Jason because Jason was yet another child Bruce failed and arrived too late to save. It made sense, as awful as it was for Jason to experience.
Carrie Kelley was the only bright light in all of this and even that came with a lot of pain because we learn that Damian was paying her for acting lessons and he was a natural! Carrie came to get to know him and think of him as a little brother. She constantly asked after him because his "trip to Europe" wasn't mentioned before. I was left wondering why Damian took the lessons in the first place- did he think it would be fun? Was he doing it to bond with Alfred?
This volume as a whole served it's purpose. It's one of those rare books where the Batman-ing is hard to watch because this is Bruce completely uncontrolled.
Peter J. Tomasi’s handling of Bruce’s grief in combination with how Alfred handled everything (grieving, unshakeable guilt and trying to keep Bruce alive all at the same time) - all the guilt and the intense silence of the manor - it broke my heart. And for that, I have to commend them for a job well done because I can’t remember the last time a comic arc really made me cry this much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2015
I've cried reading a lot of manga and comics and books, but never has Batman made me cry. Sure, it's ripped my heart out, made me whimper in sorrow, crack up and grin, and come close to vomiting at the nastiness of the evil villains. But never cried.
I cried reading this volume.
There's a sense in Batman that every character and villain is expendable. Sure, they may come back on a different earth, but you never know when a beloved character might die, or how horrible it will be. Jason is the best example of just how dark this comic universe can get.
I read what happened to Robin a while ago, and then read the comic where it actually happened. Perhaps Nightwing was the hardest for me to read. But damn, this takes the cake. It just ripped my heart out over and over. I wondered how far Bruce would go, but then that last comic! Oh man! It killed me.
I keep saying Batman blows me away over and over, and it does. While there's some changes that have me raging (see my twitter for more details) they have some amazing storytellers in DC, and this is phenomenal. 5/5 star, and totally worth rereading over and over and crying every time. (Don't ask me why I do that, but I do, all the time.)
I cried reading this volume.
There's a sense in Batman that every character and villain is expendable. Sure, they may come back on a different earth, but you never know when a beloved character might die, or how horrible it will be. Jason is the best example of just how dark this comic universe can get.
I read what happened to Robin a while ago, and then read the comic where it actually happened. Perhaps Nightwing was the hardest for me to read. But damn, this takes the cake. It just ripped my heart out over and over. I wondered how far Bruce would go, but then that last comic! Oh man! It killed me.
I keep saying Batman blows me away over and over, and it does. While there's some changes that have me raging (see my twitter for more details) they have some amazing storytellers in DC, and this is phenomenal. 5/5 star, and totally worth rereading over and over and crying every time. (Don't ask me why I do that, but I do, all the time.)
December 2, 2015
How does Batman deal with grief. Yeah, he goes out and punches bad guys. But there is only so much solace in something he also does for fun. He has a plan for everything, right? So what about bringing him back? Of course he has to look into that angle too. What could he have done differently? What about his relationship with the rest of the Bat family? Tomasi builds to the final issue and it's a real punch in the feels.
April 5, 2015
The death of Damian Wayne was one of the worst-kept secrets of the New 52, as not only was it publicized aggressively as a sort of spoiler-non-spoiler, but also in that volume 4 of
Batman & Robin
was actually titled
Requiem for Damian
long before
Batman, Incorporated, Vol. 2: Gotham's Most Wanted
even became available in trade paperback. That made this part of the current Bat-plots kind of uncompelling, especially through the end of
Death of the Family
. There, the writers really hit a strong stride in the development of Damian and Bruce's relationship. Knowing that death would undercut any sort of satisfying takeaway from any story involving Bruce and Damian made me likewise skeptical about this volume, but I was happily wrong about that: in this collection, Tomasi and Gleason bring the book to its highest height, and from the "silent issue" to the last exchange between Batman and Alfred, they lend the gravity to this storyline that DC's publishing habits tried to mitigate.
What I loved most about this volume was the overall structure. The fact that DC's editorial staff greenlit six issues to explore the depths of Batman's grief shows more great decision-making with the character. Better still is that we get an entire issue to just process the immediate aftermath of Damian's death, and the raw emotions that govern the mourning father's existence. I can't say enough about the striking nature of the "silent issue"--another poorly-kept secret--or the fact that each of the other issues focuses, in order, on the Five Stages of Grief, from the standalone plot of the issue to the titles, each of which alter the title of the book slightly: Batman & Robin becomes Batman & Red Robin, Batman & Batgirl, or Batman & Catwoman; each presents a self-contained story in which Batman, with the help of a member of the Bat-family, works through the five stages of grief. It's a sophisticated, brainy approach to story structure, one that might alienate some readers if the stories themselves weren't so good--they tell of the mourning father, and his efforts to process the most grievous loss since the one that molded his persona. It's a powerful use of the comic medium, and with a few backup teases as to what is coming next, the book gives us exactly what we would expect from the character we all know so well.
Gleason and Gray complement the story flawlessly. Since they have the first and last word in the "silent issue," their artistic storytelling prowess makes this not only the most memorable moment of Batman & Robin, but perhaps the most memorable moment of the entire New 52. They follow this up with their familiar dark pencils, inks, and colors, with shadowy eyes and the strong presence of red throughout each issue. It's powerful storytelling anyway the reader approaches it, and at least equal to the achievement in terms of visual creation that counterpart Greg Capullo achieved in Batman, Vol. 1: Court of Owls. The number of Bat-books is one thing, but the work of the creative teams is another--and in this collection, Tomasi and Gleason show us they aren't the B-team in terms of bringing top-quality storytelling to the Bat-family. Batman & Red Robin, Vol. 4: Requiem for Damian stands at the top of what DC has accomplished with the character since September of 2011.
What I loved most about this volume was the overall structure. The fact that DC's editorial staff greenlit six issues to explore the depths of Batman's grief shows more great decision-making with the character. Better still is that we get an entire issue to just process the immediate aftermath of Damian's death, and the raw emotions that govern the mourning father's existence. I can't say enough about the striking nature of the "silent issue"--another poorly-kept secret--or the fact that each of the other issues focuses, in order, on the Five Stages of Grief, from the standalone plot of the issue to the titles, each of which alter the title of the book slightly: Batman & Robin becomes Batman & Red Robin, Batman & Batgirl, or Batman & Catwoman; each presents a self-contained story in which Batman, with the help of a member of the Bat-family, works through the five stages of grief. It's a sophisticated, brainy approach to story structure, one that might alienate some readers if the stories themselves weren't so good--they tell of the mourning father, and his efforts to process the most grievous loss since the one that molded his persona. It's a powerful use of the comic medium, and with a few backup teases as to what is coming next, the book gives us exactly what we would expect from the character we all know so well.
Gleason and Gray complement the story flawlessly. Since they have the first and last word in the "silent issue," their artistic storytelling prowess makes this not only the most memorable moment of Batman & Robin, but perhaps the most memorable moment of the entire New 52. They follow this up with their familiar dark pencils, inks, and colors, with shadowy eyes and the strong presence of red throughout each issue. It's powerful storytelling anyway the reader approaches it, and at least equal to the achievement in terms of visual creation that counterpart Greg Capullo achieved in Batman, Vol. 1: Court of Owls. The number of Bat-books is one thing, but the work of the creative teams is another--and in this collection, Tomasi and Gleason show us they aren't the B-team in terms of bringing top-quality storytelling to the Bat-family. Batman & Red Robin, Vol. 4: Requiem for Damian stands at the top of what DC has accomplished with the character since September of 2011.
August 1, 2016
I feel a little mixed about this like Volume 3, Death of the Family. This feels like (and probably is) a collection of crossovers written not by Peter J. Tomasi but by Patrick Gleason. If I remember right, there were two stories by Tomasi. Which is fine, Gleason is a great writer, and I don't dislike crossovers, but there isn't really one strong plot, but there is consistent theme of Damian's death and Bruce's grief. And the artwork, as usual, from both Gleason and Mick Gray, is drop dead amazing.
Bruce teams up with Red Hood for revenge, Dick helps provide some closure in a simulation that Bruce plays nonstop out of desperation, Babs shows Bruce how cold and distant he's getting, and Tim stops Bruce from playing god like Ra's and Talia Al Ghul.
So while there isn't one strong plot in which Bruce ascends, changes, and descends the plot line, there are several short stories which tie together subtle changes in Bruce's awareness and heart as he grieves his only biological son's untimely passing. And while there's plenty of action and KaBooming, this one tugs the heart strings, because after so many volumes of Damian and then his death, I've come to like the little bastard.
September 5, 2022
In this volume we see Bruce Wayne (and Batman) attempting to deal with the loss of his son, Damian. The first issue was a silent "Requiem" issue, then we saw him cross paths with various characters. Frankenstein was to me the most interesting, as he actually wanted to use the same methods that resurrected Frankenstein on Damian, which thankfully he didn't attempt. Then we saw him meet the Red Hood, Batgirl, Catwoman and Nightwing as each issue showed him dealing with his grief in different ways. One thing that I found out of character was a scene where Batman kicked Sgt. Bullock to the ground for grabbing his arm. I understand they are trying to push Batman as out-of-control with grief (much like they did back when Jason Todd died) but I just can't see Batman kicking a cop down even if he was grieving. But then again, that's just me. He's never been the most stable guy.
As usual for this series, the art added to the story and was very well done.
Overall a good volume as I always love seeing guest stars. I think most Batman fans would like this volume.
As usual for this series, the art added to the story and was very well done.
Overall a good volume as I always love seeing guest stars. I think most Batman fans would like this volume.
March 25, 2016
I am very tempted to give this 4 stars, but there are a couple issues in this volume that aren't quite as strong as the first and last. This entire volume takes place right after the events of Batman Incorporated. In order to not give away the ending in that, I'll just say this is really powerful and emotional and this team knocked it out of the park, especially on the first issue which is completely silent.
September 14, 2015
Punched me right in the feelings! Even though I missed the Batman Incorporated issues (something I intend to rectify) this was still a powerful volume. As much as Ive enjoyed Scott Snyder's Batman run, I think this is actually the #1 best Batman (best period) New 52 title.
July 20, 2016
oh Bruce...
February 5, 2018
Jesus that was rough.
March 18, 2016
Tomasi and co. really hit it out of the park with this one. Viewing the volume as a whole, this is probably one of the most tightly told collected volumes I've ever read.
What I absolutely love about this Batman and Robin series is its ability to play the long game. Each and every issue of this series so far (perhaps with the minor exceptions of some of the crossover issues from Night of the Owls or Death of the Family, which the writers really have no choice but to participate in anyways) is building on the previous and adds something significant to the overarching narrative, which is really at heart all about Damian, his character, his growth, his journey to maturity and responsibility, as well as love, home, and family. The series has the fun villains and the whacky plot devices you'd expect from a Batman comic, but the soul and center of it is all about Damian and his relationships with Bruce, Alfred, and other members of the Batfamily.
Which all leads into why this volume is so special. All the momentum that this series has been building crescendos in issue #18. The emotional power of the issue is so striking because as Tomasi built Damian's character in this series, while the focus was on Damian growing and forging bonds with other people, he was writing the story in such a way that the audience and the other characters were slowly falling in love with Damian's character. Damian never wanted to have to change who he is at his core to be accepted by his family, and Tomasi managed to have the kid remain true to himself and also win over not only Bruce and Alfred, but the audience as well. So after the events of Batman Inc. #8 (and if you don't know what they are already, you're probably living on top of a remote mountain peak), the grief that Bruce is expressing in issue #18 is further amplified because it serves as an outlet for the audience to grieve as well.
Details from issues past return to haunt the narrative throughout. Patrick Gleason deserves special consideration for the amount of detail packed in to not only this issue, but the subtle details he's inserted throughout the whole series. Compare Damian's room early in the series to how it appears in #18--the changes reflect Damian's own character growth:
issue #2
issue #18
#18 gets most of the praise in this book, and while I think it's certainly earned it, the rest of the book continues to impress. It might seem difficult to pull off a Batman & Robin book with no Robin, but each of the next several issues guest stars another member of the Batfamily as well as being named for each of the five stages of grief.
All in all, when viewed as a whole, this is probably the best collected volume I've ever read from DC. I feel oftentimes that trades don't tend to gel as individual units, but this series feels as though Tomasi was paying extra attention not only to the overall arc of his series, but also to how it would divide up into smaller portions. This book is excellent, and I highly recommend it and all the previous books to any fan of the Batfamily.
What I absolutely love about this Batman and Robin series is its ability to play the long game. Each and every issue of this series so far (perhaps with the minor exceptions of some of the crossover issues from Night of the Owls or Death of the Family, which the writers really have no choice but to participate in anyways) is building on the previous and adds something significant to the overarching narrative, which is really at heart all about Damian, his character, his growth, his journey to maturity and responsibility, as well as love, home, and family. The series has the fun villains and the whacky plot devices you'd expect from a Batman comic, but the soul and center of it is all about Damian and his relationships with Bruce, Alfred, and other members of the Batfamily.
Which all leads into why this volume is so special. All the momentum that this series has been building crescendos in issue #18. The emotional power of the issue is so striking because as Tomasi built Damian's character in this series, while the focus was on Damian growing and forging bonds with other people, he was writing the story in such a way that the audience and the other characters were slowly falling in love with Damian's character. Damian never wanted to have to change who he is at his core to be accepted by his family, and Tomasi managed to have the kid remain true to himself and also win over not only Bruce and Alfred, but the audience as well. So after the events of Batman Inc. #8 (and if you don't know what they are already, you're probably living on top of a remote mountain peak), the grief that Bruce is expressing in issue #18 is further amplified because it serves as an outlet for the audience to grieve as well.
Details from issues past return to haunt the narrative throughout. Patrick Gleason deserves special consideration for the amount of detail packed in to not only this issue, but the subtle details he's inserted throughout the whole series. Compare Damian's room early in the series to how it appears in #18--the changes reflect Damian's own character growth:
issue #2
issue #18
#18 gets most of the praise in this book, and while I think it's certainly earned it, the rest of the book continues to impress. It might seem difficult to pull off a Batman & Robin book with no Robin, but each of the next several issues guest stars another member of the Batfamily as well as being named for each of the five stages of grief.
All in all, when viewed as a whole, this is probably the best collected volume I've ever read from DC. I feel oftentimes that trades don't tend to gel as individual units, but this series feels as though Tomasi was paying extra attention not only to the overall arc of his series, but also to how it would divide up into smaller portions. This book is excellent, and I highly recommend it and all the previous books to any fan of the Batfamily.
May 15, 2014
Peter Tomasi gets what makes a great Batman story. Yes, we love the fights and the intellectual side of the title character, but a great story is born of Batman's emotional side, his passion. What happens when that passion is poisoned by grief at the death of his son? That question gives this book tremendous pathos and narrative heft.
One of the great themes that ran through the whole Damian story was that Batman may be good at everything -- but orphaned Bruce Wayne is pretty much a terrible father. Indeed, with his wards in the best stories, he's not even much of a father figure. As a general, great. As a dad? Not so much. Perhaps I read to much here into Tomasi's work, but I see that as the pervasive undercurrent in this book -- grief born of Bruce Wayne's knowledge that he was never much of a parent during his time with his son, which was too brief. For me that also explains why Batman, who eschews bringing back his parents (though he was delirious when they appeared deus ex machina at times in the DC universe), will break his own rules to try and resurrect Damian. A bad parent, he's a master strategist and genius problem solver. Supporting a son? No, but bringing him back from the dead is just another challenge. I loved his frantic efforts, especially the odd choice to seek out the aid of Frankenstein (let's face it, when you are taking facts of life advice from the severed head of a reanimated Frankenstein, you must be pretty close to rock bottom).
One of the ironies of Batman is that for all of his "Bat-Family," those other members much more support him then he the supposed patriarch supports them. He's not their father. He's their general. Some may complain about Batman's selfish anger when his "family" tries to comfort him, but that is par for the course. Batman has always served as an outlet for an emotionally stunted Bruce Wayne. How else to explain that, rather than somehow explaining his son's demise, Bruce decides to create an elaborate fantasy about Damian being "sent abroad"? It isn't just about his desire to bring him back from the dead -- it is a desire to deny reality.
A few other points really stand out in this series. Batman seeking out Jason Todd just pulsates with conflict and near madness (just as it reminds up that, in world where Bucky and Todd come back, what's to keep Damian dead?). Others may complain about Carrie Kelly's appearance, but I thought it offered a lot of potential, as well as showing us that the Damian we readers knew, wasn't the whole of this complicated conflicted character. Lastly, as Tomasi does so well, Alfred even if he remains in the background, comes to this book fully realized and fully alive.
That said, I must remove a star for DC's inexplicable decision not to have Patrick Gleason draw this entire book. His replacement produces fine yeoman images, but Gleason's work captures Batman like few others can. He doesn't have to draw every Batman book, but changing midstream? That just damages a book.
Despite this poor artistic choice by DC, this is sure to be one of the superhero books of the year. An ARC was provided through Netgalleys in exchange for an honest review.
One of the great themes that ran through the whole Damian story was that Batman may be good at everything -- but orphaned Bruce Wayne is pretty much a terrible father. Indeed, with his wards in the best stories, he's not even much of a father figure. As a general, great. As a dad? Not so much. Perhaps I read to much here into Tomasi's work, but I see that as the pervasive undercurrent in this book -- grief born of Bruce Wayne's knowledge that he was never much of a parent during his time with his son, which was too brief. For me that also explains why Batman, who eschews bringing back his parents (though he was delirious when they appeared deus ex machina at times in the DC universe), will break his own rules to try and resurrect Damian. A bad parent, he's a master strategist and genius problem solver. Supporting a son? No, but bringing him back from the dead is just another challenge. I loved his frantic efforts, especially the odd choice to seek out the aid of Frankenstein (let's face it, when you are taking facts of life advice from the severed head of a reanimated Frankenstein, you must be pretty close to rock bottom).
One of the ironies of Batman is that for all of his "Bat-Family," those other members much more support him then he the supposed patriarch supports them. He's not their father. He's their general. Some may complain about Batman's selfish anger when his "family" tries to comfort him, but that is par for the course. Batman has always served as an outlet for an emotionally stunted Bruce Wayne. How else to explain that, rather than somehow explaining his son's demise, Bruce decides to create an elaborate fantasy about Damian being "sent abroad"? It isn't just about his desire to bring him back from the dead -- it is a desire to deny reality.
A few other points really stand out in this series. Batman seeking out Jason Todd just pulsates with conflict and near madness (just as it reminds up that, in world where Bucky and Todd come back, what's to keep Damian dead?). Others may complain about Carrie Kelly's appearance, but I thought it offered a lot of potential, as well as showing us that the Damian we readers knew, wasn't the whole of this complicated conflicted character. Lastly, as Tomasi does so well, Alfred even if he remains in the background, comes to this book fully realized and fully alive.
That said, I must remove a star for DC's inexplicable decision not to have Patrick Gleason draw this entire book. His replacement produces fine yeoman images, but Gleason's work captures Batman like few others can. He doesn't have to draw every Batman book, but changing midstream? That just damages a book.
Despite this poor artistic choice by DC, this is sure to be one of the superhero books of the year. An ARC was provided through Netgalleys in exchange for an honest review.
June 13, 2019
Peter Tomasi and artist Patrick Gleason have created what is sure to be one of the best Batman stories to date. It is always perfect in graphic novels when the artist and writer come together perfectly. The artwork in this book is breathtakingly beautiful. Ultimately this volume is about the tragedy of a father losing his son. The wordless panels were done so well that I could follow Bruce Wayne's emotions perfectly.
I am really going to miss Damian Wayne as Robin and I know a lot of current Batman fans are as well. Mr. Tomasi takes the reader on a quest of healing for Bruce Wayne but the truth is there is not much anyone can say to relief the pain. For all the Frank Miller Dark Knight returns fans we do get a pleasant surprise with the return of Carrie Kelly to the Batman mythos. This volume is definitely a five star book.
I am really going to miss Damian Wayne as Robin and I know a lot of current Batman fans are as well. Mr. Tomasi takes the reader on a quest of healing for Bruce Wayne but the truth is there is not much anyone can say to relief the pain. For all the Frank Miller Dark Knight returns fans we do get a pleasant surprise with the return of Carrie Kelly to the Batman mythos. This volume is definitely a five star book.
May 16, 2016
Had some really great, heart wrenching panels as Batman tries to deal with the loss of his son. As good as it is & as necessary as this volume is I'm ready to move on & get into Robin's return.
January 20, 2019
There are some amazing issues as the Batman grieves the loss of another Robin, fallen in action -- this time Robin is the Batman's son, Damian Wayne.
The first issue in the collection, "Undone", is told wordlessly and is absolutely amazing.
In subsequent issues, Batman interacts with former and current partners in "Batman and Red Robin: Denial", "Batman and the Red Hood: Rage", "Batman and Batgirl: The Bargain", "Batman and Catwoman: Despair", and "Batman and Nightwing: Acceptance"
GOOD: Batman grieves and mourns realistically, at least as realistically as a man in a bat-suit can. Everyone stays in character.
BAD: Carrie Kelly. She is out of time and out of place here. Back in Frank Miller's classic Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, she was the perfect key to a locked-tight Batman. Now, changed, older, she won't be a worthy Robin and yet she can never live down Robin in the reader's mind. There are darn few things I will call an abomination in my life, but writing in a "wrong" Carrie Kelly at the "wrong" place and time is terribly, terribly wrong.
The first issue in the collection, "Undone", is told wordlessly and is absolutely amazing.
In subsequent issues, Batman interacts with former and current partners in "Batman and Red Robin: Denial", "Batman and the Red Hood: Rage", "Batman and Batgirl: The Bargain", "Batman and Catwoman: Despair", and "Batman and Nightwing: Acceptance"
GOOD: Batman grieves and mourns realistically, at least as realistically as a man in a bat-suit can. Everyone stays in character.
BAD: Carrie Kelly. She is out of time and out of place here. Back in Frank Miller's classic Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, she was the perfect key to a locked-tight Batman. Now, changed, older, she won't be a worthy Robin and yet she can never live down Robin in the reader's mind. There are darn few things I will call an abomination in my life, but writing in a "wrong" Carrie Kelly at the "wrong" place and time is terribly, terribly wrong.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews