The bar for excellence on the Batman and Robin title has been set sky high with its first issue. When I finished it I was a little concerned that there was no possible way that the next issue could be as good as the first, I mean the first lived up to so much hype, how could the second issue do the same? Well after reading Batman and Robin 2 I must say that this issue is just as good if not better than the first.
The issue picks up right where the last one ended with Batman and Robin dropping into police headquarters as a bunch of circus people rushes the police station. A huge battle ensues between Batman, Robin, and the bizarre circus folk. Tensions run high between the dynamic duo and between the duo and the police.
The writing in this issue by Grant Morrison is absolutely superb. The dialogue between the characters is spot on draws the reader into the world of the comic and into the lives of these complex characters. The dialogue is interesting to follow and captures the running emotions and tensions between the characters. Morrison while heavy on dialogue in much of the comic gives the reader plenty of action to balance this. The fight between Batman and Robin is just plain fun to read. Batman's witty banter as he fights is contrasted nicely with Damian constantly talking about how great he is. The story remains key to the issue though as the mystery behind the new criminal Pig deepens and the ending is sure to leave the reader in great anticipation for the next issue.
The art in this issue is absolutely beautiful. Frank Quitely does a terrific job in capturing the tone that Morrison sets. It is almost as if the style is campy like the 1960s Batman T.V. show, but it is absolutely beautiful. His level of detail in his images is staggering, but it is done in way that enhances the picture rather than distracting the reader with too much. The way Quitely seems to convey motion in his pictures is I think what makes it great to me. It is as if the pictures come alive, like I can see them moving fluidly in my minds eye. Another thing he does particularly well is his use of facial expressions. When Damian is mad he looks mad, when Gordon is frustrated he looks frustrated and so on. It is not uncommon for an artist to over exaggerate most facial feature and this is not a bad thing. I feel that it does detract from the character being drawn, but I personally feel that Frank Quitely is one of only a few artists that do facial expressions just right. In closing I love the art, I think it is beautiful and I can not wait to see it again.
In finishing this review I must say that I enjoyed this issue from start to finish. My only complaint being that I have to wait so long for the next issue. I will most definitely be picking up the next issue. If you have yet to read this series I cannot recommend it enough. Luckily this is the second issue in the series so it only takes a little reading to be caught up before the next one to come out. If you have been keeping current with this series patience the next issue will be out soon!!
