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Batman and Robin (2023)
Batman and Robin Vol. 2: The Gotham Cycle
176 pages, Paperback
First published February 24, 2026
5 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Phillip Kennedy Johnson
530 books97 followersPhillip Kennedy Johnson earned a Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas, where he served as Teaching Fellow for the Department of Jazz Studies, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Eastern Kentucky University. SFC Johnson has performed with the Lexington Philharmonic, Dallas Opera, Washington Symphonic Brass, and the Moscow Ballet, and was a member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra from 2004 to 2005. SFC Johnson remains active as a composer, arranger, teacher, and clinician, and also enjoys a second career as a writer of comics and graphic novels. His work has been published by DC Comics, Marvel Comics, BOOM! Studios, and more.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 23, 2025
While the core villain of Batman and Robin, the supernatural entity named Memento, admittedly runs dry closer to the end, he's easily the weakest part of the story. He's just not that interesting.
Saying that, I LOVE the work with Bruce and Damian in this volume. They truly FEEL like father and son, and the story of Batman's desperate search to save his son from a subterranean lost city is full of great moments. There's a particular highlight with a team-up between Bruce and an overseas friend, and the journey to save Damian and interrogate the demon Etrigan is fantastic.
The way this volume brings the entire Memento storyline to a close is very satisfying, mostly cause of Damien's growth, and I'm excited to see what Johnson brings in the new storylines. A 3.5 but I'll bump it to a 4.
Saying that, I LOVE the work with Bruce and Damian in this volume. They truly FEEL like father and son, and the story of Batman's desperate search to save his son from a subterranean lost city is full of great moments. There's a particular highlight with a team-up between Bruce and an overseas friend, and the journey to save Damian and interrogate the demon Etrigan is fantastic.
The way this volume brings the entire Memento storyline to a close is very satisfying, mostly cause of Damien's growth, and I'm excited to see what Johnson brings in the new storylines. A 3.5 but I'll bump it to a 4.
March 1, 2026
With Robin kidnapped by Memento and Batman poisoned, it's a race against time to uncover the secrets of the seemingly immortal serial killer before anyone else loses their life - especially Damian.
These second five issues are basically the other half of the story that began in the first volume of PKJ's Batman & Robin, and they're just as good. The mystery plays out in such a way that you can see it as supernatural or not (of course, I'd choose to believe it was because it's more fun that way), and the conclusion feels like a nice end to both the story itself and the run as a whole; I know there's another trade, but it still feels like a good end-cap either way.
Extra points as well to PKJ for using not one but two rhyming characters, including one of my favourites in Etrigan, and getting the metre right each time. Everything flows the way it should, the rhymes are consistent, and creepy as hell.
On art we have Javi Fernandez and Miguel Mendonca, who'd already proven an able double-team over on the Rebirth Nightwing book, with some flashback sequences by the ever-impressive Carmine Di Giandomenico. There's a realism to this book, even when there's a multi-armed monster chasing people, that really hit home for me.
Superb, really. A stellar story, great art, and a look into both Batman & Robin's psyches that shows just how much they care about one another, even if they're terrible at showing it.
These second five issues are basically the other half of the story that began in the first volume of PKJ's Batman & Robin, and they're just as good. The mystery plays out in such a way that you can see it as supernatural or not (of course, I'd choose to believe it was because it's more fun that way), and the conclusion feels like a nice end to both the story itself and the run as a whole; I know there's another trade, but it still feels like a good end-cap either way.
Extra points as well to PKJ for using not one but two rhyming characters, including one of my favourites in Etrigan, and getting the metre right each time. Everything flows the way it should, the rhymes are consistent, and creepy as hell.
On art we have Javi Fernandez and Miguel Mendonca, who'd already proven an able double-team over on the Rebirth Nightwing book, with some flashback sequences by the ever-impressive Carmine Di Giandomenico. There's a realism to this book, even when there's a multi-armed monster chasing people, that really hit home for me.
Superb, really. A stellar story, great art, and a look into both Batman & Robin's psyches that shows just how much they care about one another, even if they're terrible at showing it.
March 13, 2026
2.5/5🌟
If I could describe this book in two words, it would be cute and disturbing. This book carries on immediately after the last volume, seeing as it’s been a few months since I initially read those issues, I struggled a little bit but I had a general understanding (read my previous review). Robin is missing and Batman is constantly burdened by a hallucinations for an ‘extinct’ plant and therefore has no antidote, this caused him to be in a constant state of disbelief and distress, several visions of Alfred as well as.. an emotional Batman, one who vocally worries about son. Batman gets help from several sources in this book, an old acquaintance of his from his days in Scotland as Jack, as well as a group of young teens known as the Gotham Irregulars—surprisingly, these young boys find themselves with Memento and Damian before Batman even had an idea where to look, I enjoyed this aspect of community deeply. Otherwise, the story is as you’d expect it to be, talk to a few demons, take down Memento, and save Damian.
Additionally, all the previous robins (Batgirls + Signal included) are called upon on this search for Robin and are literally never mentioned later, only the two pages they appear on briefly in the beginning before Batman’s hallucinations really kicked in; what was that about?
Last thought, The Adventures of Robin and Batman comics that are seemingly drawn by Damian are really cute and wholesome.
If I could describe this book in two words, it would be cute and disturbing. This book carries on immediately after the last volume, seeing as it’s been a few months since I initially read those issues, I struggled a little bit but I had a general understanding (read my previous review). Robin is missing and Batman is constantly burdened by a hallucinations for an ‘extinct’ plant and therefore has no antidote, this caused him to be in a constant state of disbelief and distress, several visions of Alfred as well as.. an emotional Batman, one who vocally worries about son. Batman gets help from several sources in this book, an old acquaintance of his from his days in Scotland as Jack, as well as a group of young teens known as the Gotham Irregulars—surprisingly, these young boys find themselves with Memento and Damian before Batman even had an idea where to look, I enjoyed this aspect of community deeply. Otherwise, the story is as you’d expect it to be, talk to a few demons, take down Memento, and save Damian.
Additionally, all the previous robins (Batgirls + Signal included) are called upon on this search for Robin and are literally never mentioned later, only the two pages they appear on briefly in the beginning before Batman’s hallucinations really kicked in; what was that about?
Last thought, The Adventures of Robin and Batman comics that are seemingly drawn by Damian are really cute and wholesome.
September 22, 2025
This was such a good story arc I loved it!
This one goes full delving into Bruce psyche and reckoning with whats happening and giving us more of his mental state and fears as a father and reflecting on all that has happened and its about a father trying to save his son, we see him teaming up with Katherine and like their bond being tested in such ways and then also a story with Etrigan where we get the origin of MEMENTO, and omg wasn't expecting a supernatural angle on it.. that one was just amazing and makes sense as to why the villain speaks in verses like Etrigan!
AMAZING writing there and also then seeing the full battle of our heroes vs this villain and like a bit more about the origin of Memento and who it was all this time and what happened to Atticus kyle specially omg!! That one was a bit psychedelic but it was fun the way it was told and basically resolved itself!!
I like how we also had diary entries of Thomas and Damian and like their fears and everything and like seeing the story of 3 generations and how it connected.. and possibilities of what could have been vs what is and Damian maybe taking the path his grandfather took but also embracing the legacy of Batman! That one brought out a tear to my eye! Loved this!!
Seriously PKJ is cooking with this run! Can't wait for the next arc!!
This one goes full delving into Bruce psyche and reckoning with whats happening and giving us more of his mental state and fears as a father and reflecting on all that has happened and its about a father trying to save his son, we see him teaming up with Katherine and like their bond being tested in such ways and then also a story with Etrigan where we get the origin of MEMENTO, and omg wasn't expecting a supernatural angle on it.. that one was just amazing and makes sense as to why the villain speaks in verses like Etrigan!
AMAZING writing there and also then seeing the full battle of our heroes vs this villain and like a bit more about the origin of Memento and who it was all this time and what happened to Atticus kyle specially omg!! That one was a bit psychedelic but it was fun the way it was told and basically resolved itself!!
I like how we also had diary entries of Thomas and Damian and like their fears and everything and like seeing the story of 3 generations and how it connected.. and possibilities of what could have been vs what is and Damian maybe taking the path his grandfather took but also embracing the legacy of Batman! That one brought out a tear to my eye! Loved this!!
Seriously PKJ is cooking with this run! Can't wait for the next arc!!
March 10, 2026
Hey,
I hope you’re doing great. I recently discovered your story and I was genuinely impressed. Your storytelling feels vivid and engaging, and it instantly made me think about how incredible it could be as a comic or webtoon.
I’m an artist specializing in comics, manga, webtoons, character art, and book covers. I’d absolutely love the opportunity to be commissioned to bring your story to life visually and turn it into something eye-catching.
There’s no pressure at all just wanted to reach out. If you’d like to talk more or check out my work, you can find me on Discord (bennett_lol) or Instagram (eve_verse_).
Best regards,
bennett.
I hope you’re doing great. I recently discovered your story and I was genuinely impressed. Your storytelling feels vivid and engaging, and it instantly made me think about how incredible it could be as a comic or webtoon.
I’m an artist specializing in comics, manga, webtoons, character art, and book covers. I’d absolutely love the opportunity to be commissioned to bring your story to life visually and turn it into something eye-catching.
There’s no pressure at all just wanted to reach out. If you’d like to talk more or check out my work, you can find me on Discord (bennett_lol) or Instagram (eve_verse_).
Best regards,
bennett.
November 2, 2025
A little messier than the first volume as we conclude the Memento arc. There’s still a lot of great stuff here exploring Thomas Wayne and his relationship with Bruce. I really liked the insertion of Damian’s comic and his understanding of legacy. I hope they follow this track with Damian being interested in medicine because that’s a really cool concept for him.
There’s a tiny bit of the batfam here (-Cass). I enjoyed Lutrec’s character a lot and I hope we see her again in the future. I loved how much she bonded with Damian. I can’t wait to read more of Johnson’s take on Damian.
There’s a tiny bit of the batfam here (-Cass). I enjoyed Lutrec’s character a lot and I hope we see her again in the future. I loved how much she bonded with Damian. I can’t wait to read more of Johnson’s take on Damian.
February 28, 2026
The art in this story is creepy, moody, kinetic, fun and fantastic. Plus, this has everything you'd want from a Batman and Robin epic. A nice voice for Bruce, so much cool and organic growth for Damian, fun interactions from the larger Batman family, great supporting characters, and more of the dark, twisted, secret history of Gotham. I'm a horror fan and the horror elements in this story perfectly melded with the superhero/detective ones. I had a blast with this entire tale.
October 26, 2025
Sadly PKJ follows his pattern to date and drags this storyline out far too long. Exactly what he’s doing over on Incredible Hulk. I think this is the danger of writers with multiple books and limited ideas.
The prior volume set up a great mystery but the answers to that mystery are all a bit of a silly, hand waving cop out.
Disappointing. Perhaps the next arc will be more focussed.
The prior volume set up a great mystery but the answers to that mystery are all a bit of a silly, hand waving cop out.
Disappointing. Perhaps the next arc will be more focussed.
March 11, 2026
Easy 5 stars. I haven’t read Batman and Robin in a while yet somehow this story made my brain remember so easily. The ending genuinely is so sweet and I almost cried cause I love Damian so much. This overall was such a good way to tie up an arc, a quick read too!
read-seq-art
December 25, 2025Read as single issues.
March 10, 2026
Love the story line
September 14, 2025
tive o prazer de traduzir esse volume pro português para o Darkseid Club. batfans brasileiros, dêem uma olhada lá no site!
—————
a satisfying ending to a great arc. if the first volume was all about damian's internal conflicts and character development, this one focuses more on bruce as he reckons with the fact that his controlling tendencies and paranoia once again pushed one of his children away.
batman is forced to rely on robin's previous research (even as it leads towards the supernatural) and reluctantly work with katherine lautrec to solve the case, putting aside his reservations in order to get his son back. and okay, i wouldn't exactly call this bruce a great dad, but at least he is trying.
i also really liked the conclusion to damian's internal journey. i loved the parts where we see his sketchbook (juni ba, you will always be famous!) and get a more honest insight in what's going on in his mind. damian learns that there are more ways of helping and protecting people other than fighting–something necessary for a character that has only known this kind of life. personally, i'd like to see him stepping down from vigilante life, going to med school, and taking on a supporting role more like alfred's in the batfamily. i think he's going to become a doctor anyway, but if he's going to keep being a vigilante at least it's by his own choice and in his own terms, knowing that there are other options.
last but not least, i loved lazlo and the irregulars! hope they show up again in the future. and bruce taking lucy the monkey around with him was adorable lol
johnson's been doing a good job so far. i'm excited to see what he's got planned for the dynamic duo in the next phase.
—————
a satisfying ending to a great arc. if the first volume was all about damian's internal conflicts and character development, this one focuses more on bruce as he reckons with the fact that his controlling tendencies and paranoia once again pushed one of his children away.
batman is forced to rely on robin's previous research (even as it leads towards the supernatural) and reluctantly work with katherine lautrec to solve the case, putting aside his reservations in order to get his son back. and okay, i wouldn't exactly call this bruce a great dad, but at least he is trying.
i also really liked the conclusion to damian's internal journey. i loved the parts where we see his sketchbook (juni ba, you will always be famous!) and get a more honest insight in what's going on in his mind. damian learns that there are more ways of helping and protecting people other than fighting–something necessary for a character that has only known this kind of life. personally, i'd like to see him stepping down from vigilante life, going to med school, and taking on a supporting role more like alfred's in the batfamily. i think he's going to become a doctor anyway, but if he's going to keep being a vigilante at least it's by his own choice and in his own terms, knowing that there are other options.
last but not least, i loved lazlo and the irregulars! hope they show up again in the future. and bruce taking lucy the monkey around with him was adorable lol
johnson's been doing a good job so far. i'm excited to see what he's got planned for the dynamic duo in the next phase.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews