This week: The dynamic duo’s current creative team bids farewell with Batman & Robin #13.
Note: The following review contains spoilers, so if you want a quick, spoiler-free buy/unread recommendation on the comic in question, check out our final verdict at the bottom of the article.
Batman and Robin #13
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist & Colorist: Juan Ferreira
Letterer: Steve Wands
Cover Artist: Simone Di Meo
We’re just a month away from the launch of DC’s All In initiative, which sees new series and new creative teams for existing titles, and this week’s Batman and Robin #13 marks the end of writer Joshua Williamson’s time writing the series, setting the stage for the next creator.
Though the Batman & Robin title is only a year old, Williamson has told a longer Damian Wayne story since beginning his Robin continuing series as part of Infinite Frontier in 2021. Under Williamson’s pen, Damian has grown significantly as a character. It’s easy to forget that it’s been less than 20 years since the son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul was introduced, and for the majority of that time he was portrayed as an arrogant know-it-all. With Williamson’s guiding of the story, Damian’s arrogance has been transformed into confidence, and he has learned to trust those around him (within reason) and recognize his own limitations. Damian has also dealt with the trauma of witnessing the death of Alfred Pennyworth at the hands of Bane, an element of his story that culminated in this latest Batman & Robin arc.
The bond between Bruce and Damian is the emotional core of the series, and it takes center stage in this issue as the dynamic duo faces off against Bane and his daughter, Vengeance. The latter pair essentially represent where Bruce and Damian began in 2006, and the contrast between the two families highlights how much the Wayne family has grown since then. Robin’s showdown with Bane in the last issue would undoubtedly have ended very differently had it taken place just a few years before Damian’s arrival, and it’s easy to imagine Bruce’s confrontation with a Venom-fueled Damian in this issue going in a completely different direction. It’s a powerful sequence, beautifully executed by Williamson and artist Juan Ferreira.
Looking at his work in this issue and throughout the series, it’s hard not to think that Ferreira is on the verge of becoming the next superstar artist. His storytelling is simply outstanding, with highly emotive characters and dynamic, clear page layouts. Whether it’s dozens of dinosaur species or Venomized characters with completely insane anatomy, everything Ferreira draws is imbued with a sense of realism that grounds it in the world of the story. His watercolor finish gives his linework a beautiful, grounding warmth that really sets his work apart from other superhero comic artists.
Batman & Robin #13 is a strong, moving swan song from a top-tier creative team. Williamson has made great strides with a controversial character, welcoming Damian fully into the Bat-family and making him really feel at home there. Ferreira has brought this final story to life with a stunning visual style. The new team of Philip Kennedy Johnson and Javier Fernandez will have a tough job to fill, but the series is in good shape heading into next month’s run.
Final verdict: Buy.
Missed a previous review? Check out the complete archive!
Like this:
Like Loading…
