Favorite Batman Series of the Year That Could…
Batman and Robin
Let me say up front I love all the Batman books but here’s the point I want to make:
Batman and Batman, Incorporated have powerhouse storytelling teams…with big publicity pushes behind them. The return of the Joker and death of Robin were huge events worthy of the marketing push and mainstream media attention.
I want to commend the Batman and Robin team of writer Peter J. Tomasi and artist Patrick Gleason and Mick Gray who told the story of the impact from those events in one of my favorite arcs of the year or any year.
Damian Wayne died in Batman, Incorporated but the aftermath continued in Batman and Robin. The series evolved into Batman and a guest star as members of the Batman family joined Bruce in his grief, rage, guilt and eventual acceptance.
Batman and Robin #18 is one of the best issues of the year. It may be THE issue of the year for me If you want to show a non-comic book reader the power of graphic storytelling then share Batman and Robin #18-#23.
Batman and Nightwing #23 was the final chapter of the arc and Bruce’s final steps to acceptance. It’s violent, painful and demonstrates the lasting power of Bruce and Richard. I don’t want to give away the story twists and the emotional finale but this is an incredible issue for fans of Dick Grayson as he comes back to the Batcave for one final fight with Damian and Bruce against Robin’s killer.
Batman and Batman, Incorporated seem to receive more publicity by DC but I love this series too and even more as it evolved after Robin’s death. I wasn’t sure how the book about a dynamic duo would hold up after the death of one of the leads. Tomasi and Gleason made the book thrive with thrilling and emotional storytelling – they are one dynamic and powerful storytelling duo.
By Editor