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Batman and Robin #17 - Life is But a Dream Review

5

by on

Death of the Family has come and gone but it still haunts the Bat-family. Titus manages to sleeps easy, though.

Spoilers! 
 
***I recommend reading BATMAN #17 first***

The Good 

Scott Snyder's 'The Death of the Family' is over and now it's up to Peter J. Tomasi to handle the event's aftermath for Bruce, Damian and Alfred in the pages of BATMAN AND ROBIN. Combined with Patrick Gleason's stunning art, this is yet another chapter in the title that has managed to warm my heart and make me fall in love with the series all over again (if you haven't read ANNUAL #1, go do so now). 
 
Taking place an unspecified amount of time after the Joker's story, this tale expresses how the event has impacted each key character. But it's not conveyed through their words, it's illustrated through their nightmares. Gleason is the perfect man for this job. His more than unique style offers an impressive amount of detail and absolutely twisted imagery -- he's a perfect for the drastic and ridiculous factors a nightmare can present. The art is simply amazing and helps walk us through the distorted dreams and fully appreciate their scope and powerful moments. 

What I relish the most about this issue is the fact Tomasi's script doesn't force feed us how each character feels. In my opinion, there's no excessive exposition or forced dialogue, we just have the pleasure of seeing how the dark series of events has drilled into their psyche and taking a moment to examine every page was a real pleasure. 
 
Tomasi has previously said his own relationship with his son helps inspire his writing here and it truly shows. The father/son dynamic is seriously heartwarming stuff. Simple things like Damian looking at his father's boot or Bruce rushing to his son after a bad dream are really tender moments. The ending was particularly touching as well. 

The Bad 

'Death of the Family' was supposed to divide the Bat-clan, but the ending here completely contradicts that (at least it does for Damian, that is). It's flat-out implied that Robin adores the current status quo. He's not only content with his lifestyle, but battling crime with his father is apparently something he'd want to do forever. It severely lessens the impact Snyder's story is supposed to produce.

The Verdict

BATMAN & ROBIN is once again on a roll. With top-notch panels that'll drop your jaw and a script that'll evoke quite a few emotions, 'Life is But a Dream' is a must read for fans of the Bat-family. Tomasi's handling of Bruce and Damian's relationship has been nothing short of brilliant as of late. Please, Grant Morrison, don't harm this adorable character!
32 Comments
Posted by Trevel8182

My problem with the ending was that nothing meaningful happened that doesn't mean someone has to die but when you name a story after one of the most earthshacking stories in the bat mythos and then nothing meaningful happens you kinda have the right to pissed and this issue of Batman and Robin proved how meaningless Death of the Family is.

Posted by spinningbirdcake

Oh but he's going to kill him I know it! And I'm going to cry. I'm predicting Damian get's killed and Harper Row takes his place as the new Robin. I hope I am horribly off though. This was another fantastic issue from Tomasi.

Posted by Mucklefluga

Tomasi and Gleason are such a great team! Love their B&R work together!

Edited by jsphsmth

This series has been a rollercoaster ride. It started out with two great story arcs then went downhill from there. Hope this means things are getting better.

Posted by ccraft

I read this before Batman 17 so I was a bit confussed... Great issue, and I'm one of the few who thought DOTF was a perfect conclusion.

Posted by sentryman555

I haven't read this issue yet but hearing Damian is shown to be extremely happy with the way his life is going......I fear bad things for him. When Superboy died before they did the same thing.

Posted by ccraft

Why does everyone think Damian is gonna die???

Posted by thatlad

I'm really pissed over this review, the title on the front page 'Death of the family has come and gone....Alfred's nightmares' total spoiler for the conclusion of death in the family which doesn't arrive on my doorstep until the weekend.

Posted by MaxSchreck

@ccraft: http://www.comicvine.com/damian-wayne/29-42413/is-robin-going-to-die/92-745604/?

Just take a look at all the clues that have been found ... its pretty certain by now .

Edited by k4tzm4n
@thatlad said:

@G-Man I'm really pissed over this review, the title on the front page 'Death of the family has come and gone....Alfred's nightmares' total spoiler for the conclusion of death in the family which doesn't arrive on my doorstep until the weekend.

Apologies, that didn't cross my mind.  I'll make an edit. 
 
Though, there's much more to the story than Alfred's fate, so that's hardly spoiling the "conclusion." 
Staff
Posted by BatWatch

I do not know that Snyder ever said Death of the Family was supposed to divide the family. It seems everybody just assumed that something catastrophic would occur, but I don't think he ever promised it. The Death of the Family might have been Joker's goal, but he did not succeed in as far as I can tell.

I really enjoyed this issue right up until the end where it had a very...quaint ending. The entire lead up to the climax showed how divided and conflicted characters felt, but then, we are given the impression that everything is a-okay, and that just didn't feel right to me.

The BatWatch Review is up.

Edited by Fantasgasmic

this was an unnecessary issue. It would've worked better if they gave it a DotF Epilogue label. Art was fine, but you didn't really get anything out of it. I was expecting some sort of Scarecow one-shot story, something totally unrelated to the rest of the Bat-universe. Like how the Nobody arc had nothing to do with Court of Owls.

As far as "The Bad" I don't think that's a weak point at all. It shows Bruce and Damian are going thru the motions. It makes sense that since Damian hasn't been with Bruce very long, and how rocky their relationship has been, that he'd be more forgiving of his father's action in DotF. Given Damian's words/actions in Batman 17, in the cave when Bruce tells him his face is fine, hugs him, giving him some closure, it makes sense.

I'd still give it a 2.5/5. Entirely okay to skip, you're missing nothing.

Posted by MadeinBangladesh

gonna check it out and the Cover is iLL!!!!

Posted by longbowhunter

After some questionable issues this one brings it back to basics. Examining the dynamic of the dynamic duo. Good issue.

Posted by Onemoreposter

Ah this was beautiful. Tomasi is so damn good and being endearing I almost feel like a chick half the time I'm reading this book. My absolute favorite part was Alfred's grin as he goes back to sleep after waking up from his dream.

For me, this has been one of my top 3 favorite books of the new 52. I will be sad to see Tomasi and Gleason leave this book whenever they decide too.

Posted by mbembet

another great Batman and Robin story just as great as Batman and Robin Annual 
Tomasi>>>>>>scott snyder

Posted by KnightofSteel

What happened in DOTF will never waver Damian's loyalty, so not sure if there's any contradiction re: status quo. Great issue. Tomasi delivers again...one of DC's best writers.

Posted by CitizenBane

The only thing I disliked about this issue was that it seemed a lot like a Robin tribute issue ---- let's give Damian a great, heartwarming issue that explores how much he loves his life, before we kill him. I really don't want anything to happen to that kid. He's easily my favorite member of the Batclan at the moment, and I'll be sorely disappointed if Morrison kills him off in Incorporated.

Posted by Webjaker

Absolutely fabulous. Never thought it'd say this, but so glad they didn't kill Damien off.

Posted by Manbehindthewires

Haven't liked BandR during the DotF run. this was actually a really good issue by comparison.

Posted by UrbanChill

i couldnt follow anything at all going on in this book i have no idea what i read at all

no idea how this got rated a 5/5

Posted by k4tzm4n
@UrbanChill said:

i couldnt follow anything at all going on in this book i have no idea what i read at all

no idea how this got rated a 5/5

Well, I thought I explained why in the review ;)
 
@CitizenBane said:

The only thing I disliked about this issue was that it seemed a lot like a Robin tribute issue ---- let's give Damian a great, heartwarming issue that explores how much he loves his life, before we kill him. I really don't want anything to happen to that kid. He's easily my favorite member of the Batclan at the moment, and I'll be sorely disappointed if Morrison kills him off in Incorporated.

I assume you loved BATMAN & ROBIN ANNUAL #1 as well?
Staff
Posted by Jawshco

Great issue. I gave this one a 5/5 as well. The relationship between Bruce and Damian has consistently been one of the better dynamics of the Bat-Family recently. The small visual touches showing the story rather than telling the story did a great job of carrying a lot of emotional weight. Alfred's wry smile after his dream was FANTASTIC!

Posted by Buckshot

@k4tzm4n said:

@CitizenBane said:

The only thing I disliked about this issue was that it seemed a lot like a Robin tribute issue ---- let's give Damian a great, heartwarming issue that explores how much he loves his life, before we kill him. I really don't want anything to happen to that kid. He's easily my favorite member of the Batclan at the moment, and I'll be sorely disappointed if Morrison kills him off in Incorporated.

I assume you loved BATMAN & ROBIN ANNUAL #1 as well?

Yes. To both bits actually.

Moderator
Posted by CitizenBane

@k4tzm4n: My favorite annual of the DCnU so far, and probably my favorite Damian story.

Posted by TDK_1997

The series continue to be amazing and I love Damian really much.

Posted by Sampsman

@Fantasgasmic said:

this was an unnecessary issue. It would've worked better if they gave it a DotF Epilogue label. Art was fine, but you didn't really get anything out of it...

I'd still give it a 2.5/5. Entirely okay to skip, you're missing nothing.

Agreed. I thought it was pointless. I know not every issue needs to move a storyline forward or have a major impact on the characters, but this issue was just too dull and boring. I gave it 2 stars.

Edited by Red_Robin212

I was hoping as the theme was nightmares we would see the return of Dr Destiny.

But I still liked the issue (Titus is awesome) & the final panel was pretty sweet

Edited by Avenger85

Man I really, really hope they don't kill Damian off. He's just a KID, and after Batman, he's the most awesome part of the Bat-Family IMHO. That kid deserves to live on.

Posted by sheldipez

@Webjaker: Best avoid this week's Batman Incorporated #8 then!

Posted by mickeymayhew

at what point did people stop hating Damian and start loving him?

Posted by Humanoid

@Webjaker said:

Absolutely fabulous. Never thought it'd say this, but so glad they didn't kill Damien off.

You poor soul.

One of my favourite issues of Batman & Robin. 5 stars. Batman is sure to get a whole less interesting after Batman Inc. #8.

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