Does anybody remember that episode of Super Friends where Aquaman was lost in time? He (and I think Apache Chief was with him) had been trapped back in some prehistoric era by the Legion of Doom with no way to return to the present. So Aquaman, knowing that his Justice League communicator had an infinite battery, buried it under the exact location where the Hall of Justice would eventually be built and turned it on vibrate or something and millions of years later, the Super Friends got the distress call and went back in time to save him.
Apparently Grant Morrison remembers that episode because it appears that’s pretty much how The Return of Bruce Wayne will play out this summer.
In the most recent issue of Batman and Robin, the dynamic duo show up at Wayne Manor in the hopes of deciphering clues left behind by Bruce. Looking at old pictures and discovering hidden Batcaves, it feels like the Da Vinci Code of superhero comics, but without all the Jesus stuff.
Elsewhere in the issue, we see Damian Wayne dealing with the conflicting sides of his parentage. He acts as Chairman of the Board at a Wayne Enterprises meeting and gives in to (and attempts to fight off) his mother’s influence. It seems her intentions for her son are less than altruistic. Big surprise there, huh? Also, that Oberon Sexton guy that we all forgot about by this time shows up again,hot on the trail of a killer who he believes is going to target Bruce Wayne next. It seems that Grant Morrison is finally tying up all of the loose ends and plot threads that he started way back when…
Cover art to BATMAN AND ROBIN #10 by Frank Quitely
I dug it. I loved seeing Dick use his detective skills and I always love the dialogue between he and Damian. Their relationship is one of the best aspects of this title and was sorely missed during those few issues where they were not side-by-side. I also thought that Damian’s actions at the board meeting (and the reactions of the stockholders) were hilarious, as were Talia’s comments about Teen Titans membership being the best Damian could hope for should he stay with “the circus oaf and his butler”. And we’re finally seeing a little more insight into Damian’s head!
He actually defended Dick Grayson, believe it or not… of course, he also gave in to her wishes and attempted to kill him. So I guess we’ll have to see where that one goes.
It was a fun issue that has redeemed the series after a pretty lackluster arc. Maybe it’ll be good enough to redeem the mess that was Batman R.I.P. and … ha ha ha! Who am I kidding? You can’t shine a turd, especially one as stinky as that story. But at any rate, this issue asks more questions than it answers and has got me excited for the next. I’m looking forward to the Return of Bruce Wayne and the story Morrison has to tell.
Now get Frank Quitely back on art duties ASAP!
Haven't picked this one up yet, cause I spent too much at Emerald City Comic Con this weekend. But I'm loving The Dynamic Duo right now! Dick Grayson is a more interesting Batman than Bruce has been in years!
CHAD, why no Emerald City Comic Con coverage here on Mania?
I can't speak for the site Gauley, but I can't afford to go to every con. I'll probably only be hitting Wizard World Chicago and the Motor City Con here in the mitten state this year.
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I agree with this review completely, the last few issues were weak, even though I like Knight and Squire.
Dick and Damien make a very... dynamic duo.... in every sense of the saying (I know, I had to write that), and I like seeing them back together. Also glad that they are laying interesting lines for the future.