I didn't think much of it when I saw the solicitation for the new Batman and Robin series. I like the cover image. I've always enjoyed Frank Quitely's work and the image is a nice/odd mix of new with a retro feel reminding me of the 60s TV series (note that classic Burt Ward stance by Robin). Morrison's hit-or-miss for me and I wasn't sure if this was just a gimmick title or the real deal. The high praise by some people I know with opinions I trust made me re-think my decision to pass on this book and set out on Saturday to try to actually find  a copy. That's when the frustration began.

My main shop is usually well-stocked on anything new and potentially popular, so I figured I'd grab a copy on my way through town and get on with my day. I went in and found a blank spot where the book should have been. Apparently they sold out on Thursday. Well, they weren't QUITE sold out. They DID have one copy with the JG Jones variant cover selling for $25. Other than the fact that the variant cover pales in comparison to the standard, there's no way I was paying an extra $22 just to read this book! So I ventured across town to the other local shop.

The owner of the second shop in question's been in business for over twenty years, he knows his stuff. There's no way he under ordered this book. Well, I went in there and again, blank spot where the book should be! Not so much as an over-priced variant left in the store! Then, real kicker: the guy behind the counter tells me the dude who was walking out as I was walking in had just bought the last copy! I didn't think that actually ever happened in real life, but I was obviously wrong! Two strikes, but I still have one option left.

My weekend plans were taking me to a town with a pretty decent, if a little small, shop that's just out of the way enough that it should have a copy left. So, another forty miles down the road, and I get to my last hope for the weekend of finding this book. I walked up to the shop and there was a sign stating that the place was CLOSED Saturday June 6th due to last-minute business and would re-open on Tuesday as usual (like a lot of independently run shops these days, the place is closed on Sunday and Monday). Three strikes and I'm out!

Long and short, I didn't get the book, I haven't had this hard of a time finding anything in so long I can't remember how long it's been, and the only way I got a chance to read the thing was through the kindness of my brother who let me read his copy on Sunday (after hassling me about not putting it on my pull list to begin with). Needless to say, it's been added to my list, I have learned my lesson, and I will be able to (hopefully) avoid a repeat of this ridiculous scenario in the future.