Batman and Robin #18 – Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Writer; Javier Fernandez, Miguel Mendonca, Carmine Di Giandomenico, Artists; Marcelo Maiolo, Colorist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: This run has had two main plot threads so far – the mysterious return of the Memento killer, who had seemingly died years ago, and the growing rift between Batman and Robin as Damian starts to pursue an alternative path. To illustrate this, we’re not even following them as a duo this issue. Batman has teamed up with Red Hood, his most troubled protege, to take on the gang war provoked by Memento. Complicating things, the Gotham police force has recently been restaffed, with lots of transplants coming in that don’t know how to interact with Batman – making them as much enemies as the gang members they’re fighting. The dialogue between Batman and Red Hood is great, with their past…issues giving Red Hood the ability to talk bluntly to Batman in a way that few are able to. And it leaves Batman thinking more openly about Damian’s future – but there are some wrinkles in the way.
Damian’s half of the story was strong too, with the young vigilante teaming up with Lieutenant Letrec and discovering the truth behind the previous Memento killings and why she’s so determined to get to the bottom of this. As they investigate Scarecrow’s old lab, they come across a crazed monkey victimized by Crane’s experiments – new Bat-pet incoming? The two detectives have some really interesting discussions about Batman and how he chooses his Robins, making Damian wonder where his future really lies. It’s possible that both Batman and Robin could have met in the middle – but unfortunately, a misunderstanding in the worst way sets them on seemingly opposite paths, with Damian determined to craft his own path. To me, there seems to be one key suspect for Memento 2.0, but it may almost be too obvious to be the right answer. This series is really hitting its stride now.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
