Batman Incorporated #9

The fallout from last month’s shocking turn of events has Batman on the run! Is The Dark Knight a murderer? Batman Inc. is still battling their foe, Leviathan. This is the continuation of the previous issues shocking event. Batman and his allies deal with the death of Robin and getting their collective butts handed to them.

This issue is filled with sorrow. There’s also another death of a Batman Inc. member that has to be dealt with and that’s done as well. But, again, there’s a lack of emotional heft that I’ve felt has been an issue with a lot of the  “Requiem” tie-in comics.

Morrison, in the last issue, gave us what should have been an emotional and shocking moment. Instead, it came off as a stunt in that issue. Here, I’d hope for a melancholy issue full of emotional outpouring. Instead it feels like the regrouping of Batman and his allies after getting their asses handed to them.

There just hasn’t been a reflection that I’ve been hoping for. Face it, this isn’t the first time Batman has gotten a kid killed. You’d think there’d be some more reaction, just based on that.

Much like most of what I’ve read of Morrison’s the story jumps around, almost to the point of choppiness. I know some folks are huge fans, but I’m not one of them. I can only recommend this issue for folks who have been keeping up with the storyline. Definitely not a point for new readers to jump on and find out what’s going on.

Story: Grant Morrison Art: Chris Burnham and Jason Masters

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read

Teen Titans #18

Unknown to the Teen Titans, Red Robin’s condition is worsening after the events of “Death of the Family.” And now Red Robin must face an even greater tragedy! The new Dr. Light is coming for Solstice! Guest-starring the Suicide Squad!

Red Robin (was he a Robin? I’m kind of confused) is a close member of the Batman family and here he deals with the death of Damian in some pretty touching scenes. They’re a little by the books, but still touching.

What’s good though is Lobdell uses this death to focus on Red Robin’s mission. He formed the Teen Titans to protect super powered teens. With the death of Damian, he failed. And there’s all the other death’s on his hands. He’s not doing so hot when it comes to his mission.

So, he takes the Teen Titans on a mission to free another teen from Amanda Waller’s prison. That puts them directly in the cross hairs of the Suicide Squad. Lots of fighting ensues and it’s entertaining.

There’s also a nice twist, but that I don’t want to give away.

Overall, the issue feels like a bit of a kick start and mission statement for the series. Nice to see the death of a character lead in a positive direction and used for the narrative good, instead of just shock.

Story: Scott Lobdell Art: Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Buy

Nightwing #18

Dick Grayson lost so much during “Death of the Family” that some new events are going to push him right over the edge! Nightwing has almost no hope left until the chance for vengeance presents itself. What decisions will he make?

We know there’s some big changes in store for Dick Grayson. With the next issue, he heads to Chicago, so this issue is a bridge between the death of Damian and his new location. It’s a reflection of the past as well as a look towards the future.

The issue feels like it’s an attempt to wrap up some plot points and ghosts haunting Grayson. He still spent time as Batman in the New 52, so he was a partner of Damian’s. The death of his former partner weighs on him, as well as his past role as Robin. And out of all of the characters, his seems to be the most emotional and believable. There is some catharsis and reaction here that totally makes sense. And it’s more than welcome, since it’s missing from a few other issues where it should have been more prevalent.

The issue is solid for another reason, it’s a good jumping on point. There’s some big changes coming for Nightwing, and this is the point new readers can hop on to find out this change’s motivation. It accomplishes two things, allows Nightwing to deal with the past and look towards the future. It’s one of the best of the “Requiem” tie-ins.

Story: Kyle Higgins Art: Roger Bonet

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Buy

Red Hood and the Outlaws #18

Jason Todd suffered terribly at the hands of The Joker in “Death of the Family,” and now he’s changing the Outlaws’ mission! Something is bound to break with all that’s happened…will it be Jason’s soul?

So, did Jason die in the New 52? I stopped reading this series only a few issues in, so not sure what was retconned and which is still events. But, I’m going to assume that Jason was still killed at the hands of the Joker, instead of just being beaten severely.

So, you’d think next to Batman, Jason would be the most affected. Especially since the Joker tortured him a bit more than the rest. The story is two parts. There’s Jason struggling with his torture. The other part deals with Bruce/Batman dealing with the fact he has failed twice now when it comes to Robins.

First, there’s the pseudo issue with the fact this has Batman sitting around a lot when the other issues has him acting a lot and getting his aggression out by beating people up.

Then there’s what’s going on within Jason’s psyche. I really don’t know much about his coming back from the dead and whatever else was referenced in this issue. It’s interesting, but predictable. I’m sure there’s more to it for long time readers and fans.

The issue had a bit of the emotion other issues of “Requiem” has missed. It’s a predictable issue, but a decent read.

Story: Scott Lobdell Art: Timothy Green II

Story: 7.25 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.25 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided some of these comics to Graphic Policy for FREE to review