In Batman & Robin #17, Batman’s past literally comes back to haunt him as he continues his battle with Memento. A serial killer comes to Gotham from London. He seems to have his eye on Batman. Thanks for helping me catch Bruce when he was young and learning the ropes. The problem is that even though Memento appears supernatural and powerful, Batman refuses to believe that he is just a human. Meanwhile, Damien is dealing with a growing fear within himself, unable to show any signs of it to his father for fear of showing weakness.
Batman and Robin #17 begins in a flashback with a young Bruce on a stakeout with Katherine to find Memento’s killer. She’s quick to puncture his lies about her family, but she says it with a smirk. She likes him, but as always, Bruce is too intent on finding the bad guy than connecting with others.
From there, the issue returns to the present, with Batman battling something beyond fear of Scarecrow’s toxin. Instead, he sees visions of those who died where he stands. Memento did something to him, but Bruce refuses to believe that what he sees is nothing more than manipulation by humans, by some kind of superpower.
Javi Fernández and colorist Marcelo Maiolo do a great job of capturing the visuals of what they see. The yellow and red make the world around Batman look like it’s on fire, and Memento’s monstrous appearance is unrealistic. In a stunning double-page layout, Fernandez stacks panels over a giant, multi-headed Memento, with Batman flinging the giant beast away with all his might. Batman goes through utter hell, but the artistry makes us believe it’s like nothing we and Batman have ever seen before.
The layout of this issue really emphasizes that.
Credit: DC Comics
Underlying the action scenes is Damian’s growing self-consciousness. He gets in touch with Dr. Bashar, who knew Damien’s grandfather and seemed to like him. Like Bruce, Bashar feels like he has a heart to heart with Damian, but of course Bruce is too preoccupied with this incident to care for Damian like a son.
In a key scene between Damian and Bruce, Damian pushes back against a stubborn Bruce, who is only thinking about getting back to fighting Memento despite being unwell. Damian is usually very childish, but here you can see him becoming more of a man. Screenwriter Philip Kennedy Johnson brings out Damian’s confidence here, and it’s cool to see him respond to the bat’s cues on his own.
Conversely, Batman appears to be ruthless and lacking in humanity. In the previous issue, the two were bonded as father and son, but here Batman seems too attached and indifferent. Maybe it’s because of the toxins he received, but his lack of humanity towards his son is a bit off-putting. When dealing with Damian, a moment of doubt or regret might have gone a long way in making him seem human.
Batman and Robin #17 excels with its captivating visuals and Damian’s well-written character arc, presenting a tense and thrilling chapter in the series. Bruce’s indifference towards his son feels all too obvious, but this issue effectively balances intense action and emotional stakes, leaving readers eager for more revelations about Memento. Fans of dark psychological storytelling and family dynamics in superhero stories will find a lot of value.
Batman and Robin #17 is a victory for Damian Fan.
batman and robin #17
Batman and Robin #17 excels with its captivating visuals and Damien’s well-crafted character arc, presenting a tense and thrilling chapter in the series. Bruce’s indifference towards his son feels all too blatant, but this issue effectively balances intense action with emotional stakes, leaving readers eager for more revelations about Memento. Fans of dark psychological storytelling and family dynamics in superhero stories will find a lot of value.
Stunning artwork by Javi Fernández and Marcelo Maiolo with vibrant colors and dynamic layouts.
It shows Damian’s strong character development, his maturity and growing independence.
Bruce’s cold attitude towards Damian is too harsh and feels at odds with their recent bond.
