Batman and Robin #1

There's an individual brutally attacking Batman Incorporated, which is a group of Batman's that operate around the world all lead and trained by the original Batman Bruce Wayne. Meanwhile, Batman is on the prowl together with his son Damian Wayne, the current Robin, and although he respects his son's skill, he has a serious problem with his bloodlust. Bruce wants to help him control it but Damien sees things differently. -summary

Batman and Robin: Born to Kill is no doubt among the better stories that debut during DC's rebooted universe The New 52, in which they used the mega event Flashpoint to pull this trigger. Some people even thought it was better than Batman: Court of Owls and they were lost on why the sales were pretty low. There are reasons this title didn't fly off shelves as quickly as the aforementioned story. One reason is that casual fans probably had no idea Batman even had a son, so they brushed this off as being a completely stupid gimmick. Another reason is that when Grant Morrison fully introduced the character, he really didn't do that great of a job developing him into a likable character in the first place. Damian is the grandson of Batman's deadliest enemy Ra's Al Gul, he was genetically perfected and raised in an artificial womb, and as a result he was trained since the age of three by his mother Talia to be an assassin. He is very highly skilled and cold blooded. These are cool features indeed, but the coolness went out the window because of his dick-ish attitude. Many really didn't like him and I'm unsure if this story changed their minds, but in my case, I say he's at least in the gray area since Peter J. Tomasi was able to make him understandable. Born to Kill is a character driven story that mainly helps in developing the relationship between Bruce and his son, because before this Damian played Robin under Dick Grayson's Batman, the original Robin aka Nightwing who stood in for Bruce an entire year, while the third Robin, Tim Drake, left the Batcave and changed his identity to the Red Robin. This title collects Batman and Robin issues 1 - 8.

I will admit that Damian was immediately rubbing me in the wrong way, as he seemed too much like the second Robin, Jason Todd. He seems to have very little respect for Bruce, and his grandparents on his father's side. He disobeys orders and constantly talks back, he doesn't feel like a rebel at all, just a snobbish kid with an ego; but what separates him from Todd though, is that he has believable reasons for his attitude. Tomasi explores this relationship very well across these eight issues, and although some people may think it could have been done in less, I'm glad to see it wasn't because such a firestorm of a topic shouldn't be so cheaply dismissed. Bruce knows his son is very well trained, and he continued his training but as a father he constantly worries, yet he doesn't know how to properly be a father either and Alfred finds himself playing dad to both of them.

Things become more complicated when a man from the past going by the name of Nobody makes his appearance. He knows who Batman is, and he's determined to bring him down simply because he does not agree with his moral code. This is a character that really did make an impression on me, someone whom can dunk people into acid with intentions on solely erasing them from existence is definitely a person I can't forget. Commissioner Gordon makes an appearance but don't expect much from him. While the action is very good, it's the many themes explored here with trust, love, family, and respect being the most noted, as Tomasi develops the father and son relationship through intelligent and gripping dialog. The arguing and distrust feels genuine as they let the emotions fly, and the ending really couldn't have been any better. The best thing about this book is that the story arc is completely wrapped up with no cliffhangers in sight.

Patrick Gleason's artwork and John Kalisz's colors may not be as sharp and atmospheric as Greg Capullo's in Court of Owls, still it gets the job done. The action panels are very entertaining with quite a bit of sharp nose breaking blows, and deadly strikes to paralyze opponents. Batman, Robin, and Nobody fight with a purpose, it's quite clear that losing just isn't an option for either of them. Some of the death scenes are sick with at least one moment showing a half dissolved body due to the acid. Nobody is a sick bastard for sure, and action fans are getting their cash worth with this.

Born to Kill is a very good book and you can tell DC were banking on Batman to carry the New 52, and along with Green Lantern I would say he's doing just that. For those out there whom put this off because the cover art just doesn't sit well with them, or you hated Damian in the past, well, I feel you on that last part but I encourage you to let that go. This is a very solid book that not only delivers with action, some very good background on Bruce Wayne's mission to become a vigilante, but it hits in the right places with character development. Highly recommended.

Pros: Character development, gripping narrative, brutal action panels

Cons: Violence for some, Damian's still a jerk a little