SYNOPSIS: Desperate to question Scarecrow about the recent plague of Memento killings, Batman must fight his way through a full-scale breakout at Arkham—but when Memento enters the fray and reveals his true form, Robin may be his father’s only hope!
REVIEW: Artist Javi Fernández rejoins writer Phillip Kenedy Johnson for “Memento, part four” without missing a step, finding the Dark Knight embroiled in all-out anarky at Arkham Tower with a full-blown riot that needs to be quelled, not to mention saving The Scarecrow, whom Batman was in the middle of interrogating last issue!
The action comes fast and furious, with some exceptional panel work by Fernández, particularly on the title page! The reds and oranges that highlight the fight, provided by colorist Marcelo Maiolo, bring life to the imagery, adding to the sense of peril the Caped Crusader faces, particularly when he sees in front of him the burning of the U.S.S. Atlas — a past event that happened long ago.
Meanwhile, Damian is working at Sacred Heart Medical Center, where its cool blues highlight the change in scenery and provide a sense of relief and safety from the scene prior. A visit with Dr. Bashar allows Damian to open up, setting the groundwork for a later conversation between father and son.
This is where PKJ really excels at storytelling. The character work and inner conflict of Damian really strike a chord here as we see a young man wrestling with his place in life and living up to the seemingly impossible high standards of a man seen as the World’s Greatest Detective. We’ve seen Damian as cocky and arrogant, but recent events have eroded that confidence, leaving him feeling weak, afraid, and unworthy of being his father’s son. Johnson brings him down to Earth and arguably makes Damian the most relatable and endearing he’s ever been.
I should also point out that Carmine Di Giandomenico also pitches in for four pages, handling the flashbacks to a young Bruce’s encounter with Memento, Professor Blye, and Lieutenant Lautrec. As usual, I love his stuff here, a visual tie-in to The Knight era of Bruce’s life. Importantly, the shift back in time lets Johnson establish Lautrec’s perceptiveness and how she is every bit as equal to Batman when it comes to her powers of observation, a trait which definitely comes into play by story’s end. I’m really enjoying this new character! T
Batman and Robin #17 has everything going for it — an enthralling mystery with a new villain, wonderful character interactions, high-octane action, and thrilling art. Seriously, Fernández really delivers here, particularly a breathtaking two-page spread of Batman fighting in Arkham! With some of the best characterization of Bruce and Damian in this title, this is not a book to miss! – Javier E. Trujillo
