The “Batman and Robin” team continue their “Robin Rises” journey in this month’s issue, proving that Batman can survive in any environment, thrive in any genre, and remain his essential self.
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Illustrated Artist by Patrick Gleason“Robin Rises” continues as Batman begins his trek on Apokolips to recover his son’s body. But will he walk alone?
The immensely talented team of writer Peter Tomasi, penciller Patrick Gleason, inker Mick Gray, and colorist John Kalisz continue making Bruce’s mission to resurrect Damian a fun and character-driven expedition in “Batman and Robin” #35. The third part of “Robin Rises” is a turning point for much of the Bat-family and involves sacrifices and the importance of having family by your side. The issue’s solicit asks if Batman will “walk alone” on his tour of Apokolips. The answer is pretty obvious when Batman has such a diverse cast of supporting players who are rich characters in their own right.
Tomasi is a virtuoso when it comes to bringing a large cast of characters together and letting their individual voices and personality quirks shine forth from the page. From Alfred to Batgirl to an animal menagerie, Tomasi brings the Bat-family to life without the book seeming crowded. When some of the Bat-comrades commiserate with a fellow compatriot in Gotham City, the quick and witty repartee comes off as natural and fun. A tale of this magnitude is pretty difficult to pull off without letting the plot outweigh the smaller moments, like this one, between characters.
The stakes are extremely high when it comes to exploring Apokolips and the emotional moments are just as powerful as the bombastic yarn that the entire “Batman and Robin” team is successfully spinning so far. The potential for this story to implode is definitely there, with the forces of Apokolips rubbing elbows with the Bat. So far, Tomasi has made the bombast and the emotional arc of the characters (especially Batman) meld perfectly. There are no groan-inducing moments in this issue. Action, human (and non-human) interaction, and just enough humor make this issue and storyline worth investing in for the long haul. And don’t forget: we’re getting a Robin at the very end!
Without Gleason on pencils, this book would not have the impact that it makes so forcefully. As evidenced in past issues, he is able to make a grown person cry and also gasp with excitement. In this issue, he demonstrates his versatility by being comfortable drawing “real” world moments in Gotham City or the Batcave and then seguing right to the fiery hell that is Apokolips. The vast expanse of that world ruled by the forces of Darkseid comes off as simultaneously claustrophobic and empty. The art, like the writing, is deceptively simple and that much more powerful because of it.
Action is plentiful in this book and Gleason’s unique use of perspective in battle must be given notice. In one particular fight scene involving a Bat-character (whose name I don’t want to spoil) and a particularly creepy villain, Gleason places us within the action. It’s chaotic and not perfectly “staged” just right. The scene brings the same amount of realism in his action that he brings to his quieter moments and his characters’ faces. The action could easily be predictable and unsurprising in the hands of an artist who is not invested in the story. There is just as much care rendered in physical altercations as there is in emotional ones.
Speaking of faces, Gleason has a unique style when it comes to characters’ mugs. Batgirl’s face goes from stern to sorrowful in one scene, yet keeps her individuality intact. Alfred has a long face befitting his lankiness, while Batgirl’s face is rounder and more youthful. Gleason conveys emotion and personality in his faces, which in turn brings more impact to a story that could just as easily turn predictable.
Tomasi isn’t the only one having fun with this book and gleefully dispensing with the predictable. Gleason’s design of Batman’s Apokolips-wear is delightfully over the top, yet appropriate for the goddamn Batman. It’s simply bad-ass and fun, yet obviously utilitarian for a prepared man such as Bruce. When we see members of the Bat-family suit up in altered battle suits, the emotional meaning behind them is just as awesome as the design. Like Tomasi, Gleason brings sprinkles of levity that are greatly needed in a story with such emotional heft.
Continued belowGleason’s art (combined with Tomasi’s story) wouldn’t be as powerful and contain such heft without Gray’s inks and Kalisz’s colors. The opening page of the issue is evidence of this artistic dream team’s cohesiveness. The inking transforms the desolate plain of Apokolips into a dry world devoid of life. The shadow of Batman gliding over the scene is awe-inspiring, with the angle of the splash page adding even more weight to the story and the imminent dangers to come. The dark inking and orange and red colors evoke the main thrust of the story in one page: “Robin Rises” is a journey into the dark underbelly of one man’s soul.
The “Batman and Robin” book has been telling a unique story in the Bat-line of titles since issue one. With the focus on more personal tales by Tomasi and breathtaking art by Gleason, this book is just as deserving of acclaim as Snyder and Capullo’s “Batman”. Although a very different book compared to the “main” Bat-book, Tomasi has also lead Bruce on a long journey toward this latest super-story.
The setting is befitting of such an epic tale with epic ramifications both personal and physical. Batman is in a strange world, yet he is guaranteed to get through it. Although this issue’s conclusion may seem spectacularly dire, we know Batman will endure. The journey has been a blast (in more ways than one) so far and it’s going to be as much of a blast to see how Bruce survives something as overwhelming as Apokolips. Darkseid doesn’t stand a chance.
Final Verdict: 8.0 – “Robin Rises” continues to excite and delve deeper into Batman’s complex psyche and equally complex family. This story could have easily fallen into gimmicky territory, yet instead continues to refuse sticking to the mundane.
