Batman and Robin #34

The Good

Robin Rises had an action-packed debut, so it's understandable that writer Peter J. Tomasi wants to calm things down a bit and give us some more character beats before once again going face first into all of the explosive madness. It's essentially the calm before the storm and it works well.

First and foremost, we all know Bruce Wayne's upcoming mission is beyond dangerous and, seeing as he's a genius and brilliant tactician, this is obviously something he knows as well. Instead of simply cracking his knuckles, putting on the armor and heading to Apokolips for some justice, he realizes there are some things that need to be said before he possibly dies. Considering the core of this story is about the importance of family and how far we'll go to make sure they're safe, Bruce meets with the bat-family to let them know how much he cares about them and wants to depart on a positive note. Death of the Family(and Bruce's five stages of grief) feels like it happened so long ago, but for them, this was a huge deal and it's nice to see the ramifications of Scott Snyder's event weren't just cast aside and forgotten. The scene isn't a tearjerker, but it's heartfelt enough and there's a few bits of enjoyable levity tossed in. It gives the story a proper sense of buildup and this really allows that final page to sink in.

I have some small gripes about the sequence in the Watchtower, but Tomasi paced it very well and filled it with little moments that manage to really impress and gave the art team a chance to shine. Artist Patrick Gleason, inker Mick Gray, and colorist John Kalisz made something as simple as one of the new Justice Leauger being humiliated in the background both hilarious and cool and Batman emerging from the darkness is something everyone should love. And if you're not already stoked for this event, the final splash page is sure to boost your interest.

The Bad

The New 52 seems a bit inconsistent with its handling of Wonder Woman. Over in SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN, Diana couldn't fly Clark that far off the planet and, if I remember correctly, she said something like "I cannot go any farther." But in this issue, she has no gripe racing Shazam to the Watchtower. And speaking of that scene, I get they're in a rush, but is plowing straight through the wall really the best option? Did a fail safe kick in and close the opening they just created on the space station? I get they're in a rush, but that was the only option? Also, maybe it's just me, but Bruce seemed surprisingly trusting with Lex Luthor and seemed to be cool with him making some last minute modifications to the armor. He was under the impression Luthor's tying to stall in order to stop him, so I'm not sure why he'd be okay with the genius connecting to the armor and making changes.

Minor gripe: Tim Drake appears to be taller than Jason Todd. I've always been under the impression Todd's a bit taller, but maybe Tim's been drinking more milk?

The Verdict

Robin Rises came out of the gate swinging and this chapter gives us some solid character moments and a nice amount of plot progression. Throw in some consistently pleasing panels and the journey leaves me thrilled to see what's next. Not only that, but these scenes will also definitely make sure the next dose of action is more meaningful and has more heart behind it. Bruce knows this is possibly a one-way trip and hopefully we'll see that reflected in his actions.

As a big Damian Wayne fan, I'm beyond happy to say this is turning out to be a legitimately engaging and thoroughly entertaining story. It hasn't quite hit us with the level of emotion we've seen in some of BATMAN AND ROBIN's previous story arcs, but you can really feel the buildup and I can't wait to see what the creative team has in store for us with this one. Fingers crossed this concludes with Damian's return!

I felt the same way but, being dead stunted Jasons' growth.

That final page was pretty awesome stuff from Gleason.

Hey why is't Batman stone face lying to the batfamily while there having a talk about trust not brought up here.

I was a little let down with thus issue, I enjoy the whole non-fighting downtime moments, but overall it didn't seem like much happened.

shazam still a punk with no redeeming qualities

Sure was.

Are you referring to the situation with Dick? Avoided discussing it because I didn't want to spoil the surprise, I guess.

READ IT AGAIN AND LIKE IT MORE THIS TIME! But really, I can get that. I really enjoyed the bit with his allies and, even though I have complaints about the Watchtower scene, I loved the moment with Cold and how Batman looked in the armor. Plus, it finally brings him to Apokolips!

Glad to see that the Death of the family was still affecting them.

Johns probably regrets writing the Batman stinks thing from Forever Evil,Cap Cold just got chumped again,HA take that fanboy Johns.

Um it wasn't affecting them,that was the whole point,it was just rubbish that had to be swept aside.

Bruce is about to go kick some butt I. the hellbat suit. I also found it odd that Tim was taller than Jason but not that big of a deal.

It was also almost funny to me how Bruce promises to tell them everything and the whole truth, and then seconds after he says that and they're gone a certain someone Tim Jason and Barbara don't know is still around pops out of nowhere.

That last page was awesome too, I love how Apokolips is just always in fire. Cold being tied up easily was funny too.

Not really liking the way Cold is being written.

@johnny_blaze: why?? hes just a guy with a gun, batman obviously would get the best of him.

and this isnt a JL comic or captain cold. its batman and robin

So will Darkseid kill Batman this times like Final Crisis ?

@k4tzm4n: Who won the race between Shazam and Wonder Woman?

I love this review, even though I'm unlikely to read the issue. Great job @k4tzm4n!

I viewed it as Batman caught him off-guard. It's not like he would have been expecting an attack while he's hanging out in the Watchtower, after all.

Batman, obviously.

Shazam jokes that he did.

Wow, that's quite a compliment. Thank you!

@frozen: "See wonder woman, I told ya I'd beat you here" -Shazam

In regards to Grayson I have a feeling that will be wrapped up by the end of this arc or some time there after. Its hard to say because I don't know timeline wise when this is happening. We know it is after Forever Evil but its hard to say if it is before after or in line with Eternal and Endgame. That being said I have enjoyed Grayson in his spy book so far because from day one I have seen it as a temporary thing and believe that it will be wrapped up soon after the new Robin is announced.

@entropy_aegis: It did. They didn't fully trust Bruce until he said honesty, and no secrets.

This issue was beyond good. I can't see what will happen next!

Shazam will this guy every not say something that makes people want to punch him LOL. That armour though Jeez it is epic.

@primebonnick: The pre new 52 Billy Batson (cool and not annoying kids that comics fan know) will appear in The Multiversity Thunder World issue written by Grant Morrison. Check that out :)

@boynerdgeek: i read issue one gosh i loved it

Did the new Robin show up yet?

The wild goose chase continues.

@frozen: ohh, you didn't read it??

@jayc1324: she never agrees to race. And at the end she looked at him like he was an idiot, like, dude i wasnt racing.

What happened to Dick?

@primebonnick: lol yea. You can tell nobody likes shazam. Aquaman told him to shut up before batman beat him up. Wonder woman looks at him like hes an idiot in this issue. And hes slways getting lectured cause hes ann i ying and acts like a petulant child.

Seemed like your coolants were a bit much.for me at least anyway.

So....no bodies even a little concerned with how both Earth 2 and this book are coming so painfully close at this moment?

this bothered me the most, and each of them brought up an example of how Bruce screwed them or someone recently. He goes on about trust, while lying directly to their faces....good lord. That speech wasn't necessary, he could have just done what he was going to do, why call them all over to lie to them

How many years it's been since Darkseid invasion?

I was so happy to see Agent 37.

@bigcimmerian: 5

Nightwing seems to be missing out on a lot of fun

It's not possible lol. I think 5 years have passed in Batman #1 back in 2011. It must be more now.

@madeinbangladesh: I think that happens in Robin Rises: Alpha.

@bigcimmerian: I think it's about seven now. The five between JL: Origin and the rest of the New 52, and two during the other New 52 issues.

I must say: I was extremely disappointed with this issue because of the lack of progress with the story.

I hink you're right about seven years. And Bruce was Batman for one year before Justice League forming, so I think he's been Batman for about eigth years.