Batman and Robin #14
Batman and Robin #14
In the past month, I have read the first nine issues of the DCNU Batman and Robin, and I must say, I am shocked at how far this series has fallen since its original stellar story arc. The recent issues of Batman and Robin have been okay, but they are not nearly as high quality as the early issues. Batman and Robin #13 was downright bad having no real point, at least one major plot whole, and slew of zombies for no apparent reason. Does this next issue pack a little meat on its bones, or does it contain nothing more than gnashing of the teeth?
In this issue, Batman subdues a bunch of zombies and Robin leads some civilians to safety.
Torn
This is one of those issues where I felt severely torn. Often times when this happens, the good and bad are mashed up in such a way that it is impossible to pick them apart and define what exactly works or fails to work about a particular story. That is not the case this time. I can tell you exactly what does and does not work.
Specifically, the zombies screw up this story. They serve no purpose whatsoever. The Saturn Society has no motivation, and their leadership and methodology is still sketchy at best. The zombies constantly say “Live to eat,” and personally, I felt like dozing off after reading that line for the dozenth time. Even the zombies themselves are shrouded in mystery. Are they magically possessed? Infected? What is happening?
At the same time, not all was bad with this issue.
Action!
There was solid action in this issue. Zombies make excellent punching bags as long as they are not infectious, and Damian made good use of the zombies as sparring partners. I also rather enjoyed Batman spraying sedatives out of his gauntlet. The elevator scene was fun though it is completely impossible for several reasons. Nonetheless, this issue had good action.
The Heart
This issue has a surprise touchy feely moment at the end which hit home. Following all the silliness which is the basic plot of this story, it caught me off guard, and it answered a question left dangling from last issue.
Death of a Damian?
This issue turns out to be another tie in to “Death of a Family,” but it feels extremely shoehorned into the plot. Personally, I would just as soon do without the Joker element. Also, Batman’s explanation of Joker’s involvement made no sense.
Conclusion
This issue is a fun brain off kind of adventure with a gooey delicious bit of heart-warming snuck into the end. If you can take the story for what it is, it is a worthwhile read.
