If you haven't heard by now, Batman went and got himself killed recently, which left a bit of a hole in the DC Universe. After a somewhat lackluster "Battle for the Cowl" series and a whole lot of mourning from the Batman family of characters, Batman lives again... only it isn't the same guy. In his ultimate graduation day, Richard "Dick" Grayson (the very first Robin) will be filling in for his adopted father, Bruce Wayne, to become the next Caped Crusader. Sure, Bruce's death may have been a bit lame, but the change needed to happen at some point. Nightwing (the hero Richard has been masquerading as for years) has always been a fairly likable hero that always had what it took to play with the big boys and that should translate into a largely more likable Batman for the future. Richard will give writers of Batman a bit more play in terms of personality with the hero, instead of the constantly brooding, self-involved character that has developed over the years.
But this book is Batman AND ROBIN. Tim Drake has moved on to bigger things in his new role as Red Robin, which leaves a vacancy at sidekick. The spot is filled by Bruce Wayne's slightly conniving and mischievous son, Damian. Turns out Bruce left a bun in the oven with Ra's Al Guhl's daughter, Talia. Damian feels it is his destiny to become The Batman, like his legendary father. He has been trained by his mother's League of Assassins, which he likes to point out, and fells he is ready to be Batman NOW.
Now that you have a bit of a background on what's been happening, you want to know if this is a good issue or not. I will concede that this is a VERY good issue and exciting start for the new team. Grant Morrison does a great job of bringing some uncertainty and levity to Grayson and a certain amount of fun to the book that Batman books don't always have.
A new Batman, a new Robin, a new Batmobile, some new (really sadistic) villains, some new gadgets... Frankly, there is a lot of.... NEW in this book. Yet, somehow, it manages to feel classic. This is a new Batman, but reminding you that comic books are made for you to sit and go, "You know, that was pretty damn cool," and then smile a bit. Morrison did the same thing with All-Star Superman and I'm happy they are letting him do his thing in the "real" DCU. The art by Frank Quitely definitely gives it that All-Star feel, which I like just fine, thank you. I'm sure there will be reprints of this fantastic new chapter in the life of Batman, the very first without Bruce Wayne.
Pick this issue up if you can find it.
