Batman # 657 Review
This Review Was Submitted by Knightwingbk:
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artists: Andy Kubert & Jesse Delperdang
After last month's slam-bang action issue, I expected this one to be a story issue, much like 655 was, and what a story it was! Batman has discovered he has a son, Damien, and proceeded to bring him home with him.
The issue opens with Batman taking off a blindfold, and telling Damien, "This will be your home now." Robin appears in the cave, as Damien is shown to his new room. Robin asks Batman "What about us?" Indeed! I forgot for a brief moment that Tim Drake is now Batman's adopted son. Morrison has Batman almost embracing his new son saying, "If he is my son-- even if he's not-- he deserves some love and respect." To which Robin replies, "So let him earn it, like everybody else." Morrison is showing his grasp of Batman's previous history as a jerk, and his new, friendlier approach to life. Tim runs off angrily, which is understandable. Over the years Bruce has been a nice to Tim, but also a real jerk. Sometimes he would blow him off, or yell at Tim (see before and after Bruce Wayne Fugitive). Damien is a real brat, demanding his sword back, and a laptop. Sorry Damien, but why are you asking for these things when there is a 60" Big Screen Television and XBOX 360 in your room? I would've been perfectly happy with that. Damien flares up at Batman, who up until now had been nice to Damien, and Batman yells at Damien, telling him that he has dishonored his sensei. Again, Morrison has given us an important part of Damien's character. Like Cassandra, the former Batgirl, Damien has only known violence. He was trained by the League of Assassins, and had an absentee mother. He knows not respect for his elders, unless they are his sensei. For Batman to utilize this is genius, for Damien replies compliantly, or so we think.
Andy Kubert continues to do a wonderful job. Each of his faces emotes, and he is a great storyteller, showing us what is important in the scene, while adding a lot of detail. I love how Kubert is always drawing Batman and Robin's capes in motion. They feel like long, billowy fabrics, easily moved, putting what we saw in Batman Begins into the comics. An enjoyable issue for anyone, whether you've picked up the last two issues or not. B+
