Reviews - Batman #658

Batman and Son Part 4

This is the conclusion of Morrison and Kubert's first story arc on Batman. Morrison introduced us to the long speculated son of Batman and Talia, Ra's Al Ghul's daughter. Appropriately named Damian, the boy has been trained by the league of assassins and Talia has handed him over to Bruce Wayne to take care of.

Damian, eager to please his father, tries to kill Robin in the last issue. Batman is not amused and decides that Damian is too dangerous to leave alone so he takes Damian along to stop Talia and her new legion of man-bat ninjas (LOL). Talia reveals the true reason behind all the madness and gives Batman an ultimatum.

Morrison really enjoys writing some twisted plots. I was confused throughout Seven Soldiers and I was confused through Batman as well. Perhaps it's his style of writing, but I find that Morrison's stories are always rushed. The reason that Talia gave for starting all this was lame to me. The story with Damian started off with so much potential but the ending really fizzled.

The Andy Kubert art was amazing and it's really great to see the Kubert brothers illustrating some DC characters. However, no matter how good the art is, the story still felt rushed and incomplete. Damian was in Batman's life for four issues and then he's gone?

Let's hope next month's return of the Joker will be better. Otherwise, I may drop this title.

DRAGONCRYPT Sunday, November 19, 2006