Batman and Robin #14

Here is the belated review for Batman and Robin issue 14 with the story arc titled, Batman and Robin must die! "I'm Not Mad At All." - Joker. Grant Morrison and Frazer Irving are one issue away from seeing if Dick Grayson really gets killed by Doctor Hurt! From the events of issue 13 (which was also reviewed), Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne are being terrorized by Doctor Hurt and (once again) the circus of crime. Doctor Hurt claims that he is Thomas Wayne (the father of Bruce Wayne), however, everyone knows, he isn't. With the cliffhanger at the end of issue 13, Grant Morrison is setting us up for the return of Bruce Wayne. Artwork and second cover by Frazer Irving, main cover by Frank Quitely. Part 2 of 3.  
 

The Good

I'm enjoying this story arc by Grant probably more than any previous stories he's written for Batman & Robin. Sure there are going to be a whole bunch that are going to be "way" better, however, this is really going to be a turning point for the end of Return of Bruce Wayne, and the beginning of The Road Home etc etc. We all know that Dick Grayson isn't going to die (due to all of the covers and issues with his face as Batman), however, what we do know is that, Damian Wayne is going to make a terrible mistake. With the cover of "Batman & Robin #15", we see that Damian Wayne is making a deal with Doctor Hurt. Wow! Thinking about all the "other" Batman story really is getting me thinking now. I wouldn't want Damian to eventually become Batman, from Grant Morrison's Batman issue 666, reading that story tells us that Damian sold his sole to the devil. And no, Damian Wayne doesn't go out at night and has a flaming head, with a motorcycle that drives up walls. Your thinking about that other guy, oh what's his name? Anyway, Grant is doing an amazing job with this series that he's created, and I'm looking forward to what he's going to do with the characters.   
 

The Bad

Frazer Irving's Joker always seemed a little unorthodox. His head was always to big, and every time Frazer drew that character, he always had a weird background behind him. The Joker vision (or whatever it is) doesn't help with the colors he's picked, and the story was written with a few gaps.  
 

The Verdict

 In the end, Jim beats Dick Grayson badly. While Dick should've been prepared for that, I don't think that Dick would've ever hit Jim Gordon. Joker has Damian Wayne, Doctor Hurt is about to kill Dick Grayson, and nothing will ever be the same. Grant is about to finish this story arc (hence forth this being part 2), Frazer is doing a great job with the artwork. This is all a 4 out of 5. Until issue 15 is released, October 20, 2010.