Batman and Robin #12
Kevin Rossi
Recap
Years ago, Bane killed Alfred Pennyworth right in front of Damian. And now, on Dinosaur Island, there is nothing stopping Robin from getting his revenge! Except his father, Batman! And the giant dinosaurs, of course.
Review
Batman and Robin #12 gives readers something they have wanted for years: Damian confronting Bane. The previous issue was the first of a new arc and found Batman and Robin on Dinosaur Island following up on a tip that Bane was there. When they arrived they discovered that Bane wasn’t alone and neither were Batman and Robin. Bane’s daughter, Vengeance, and Robin’s friend Maya Ducard are on the island. Josh Williamson wastes no time and dedicates the majority of this issue to Damian confronting Bane as well as some touching flashbacks between Damian and Alfred. Juan Ferreyra does a fantastic job balancing the fight with the flashbacks. He brings a fun energy to this arc that feels lively and exciting full of great colors and clever panel layouts. Contrasting the action, the flashbacks are done in black inks and grayscale with the only other color being red. They highlight moments between Damian and Alfred during significant runs and do an excellent job distilling their relationship.
On the sidelines, Batman learns from Vengence that there is a new formula of venom that adds an animalistic rage in addition to the usual side effects. Bane and Vengence are on the island to prevent it from being made. Batman and Robin #12 also marks the second to last issue for this creative team, which is bittersweet. Williamson and company have done a lot of good work on this series and filled a gap on shelves that has been missing for some time. Readers still have one more issue to enjoy with this current team and then the reigns are being handed over to writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and artist Javier Fernández for a new arc.
Final Thoughts
Batman and Robin #12 is a special issue and surely a highlight of the series. Williamson has put so much care into this series and it will be a shame to see him leave, but he also set the stage for many more great issues focusing on Batman and Robin. With this issue in particular, even if readers haven’t been following this series, the parts with Alfred and Damian are worth it.
Batman and Robin #12: Closure
- Writing - 8/108/10
- Storyline - 8/108/10
- Art - 8/108/10
- Color - 8/108/10
- Cover Art - 8/108/10
