SYNOPSIS: Horrors, both natural and supernatural, await Batman on the journey to save his son! Gotham City has many dark secrets, and no one knows them better than Bruce—but with Damian trapped somewhere in its labyrinth of shadows, the demons, forgotten skeletons, and memories of despair that line the city are more of a threat than ever before. The clock is ticking, and Batman must interrogate the demon Etrigan if he has any hope of rescuing Damian. Will Batman be able to save his son before time runs out?
Supernatural alert!
Things take an otherworldly turn in Batman and Robin #22 as secrets are revealed and the Dark Knight gets a step closer to the awful truth of Memento!
The tale opens below Gotham with Damian being seemingly held in a prison by Atticus Blye, feeling very much like your standard creepy I’m-being-held-by-a-serial-killer stakes…and then things get weird.
The story jumps back to years earlier, where we find Blye investigating a case in Mumbai, with clues to what is going on and why Damian is being targeted in a particularly unusual way. As expected, the art is provided by Carmine Di Giandomenico. Golden hues bring a hot glow to the sequence, making this part distinct from the current happenings in Gotham.
After that haunting scene, we return to the present, where Batman and Katherine Lautrec compare notes and decide which corners to investigate next. That’s not all, though, as Johnson drops a big bomb on the narrative — she’s deduced who The Batman is under the cowl!
I love the body language here, as depicted by Javi Fernández. There’s a casualness to the revelation emanating off Batman, not shock, which continues in a ride in the Batmobile as the two now catch up without pretense. Their shared history is palpable, and it’s a great story beat before Lautrec gets her eyes opened even further by what comes next.
Since it’s revealed on the cover, it should come as no surprise that Etrigan (and Jason Blood) make an appearance, revealing some sinister revelations about Memento. I can fully understand how mixing the more fantastic elements of the DC Universe may not be every fan’s cup of tea, but for me, I like a good pinch of the supernatural now and then in my Batman. It’s been alluded to from pretty much the beginning of his creation, and his very appearance hints at something monstrous.
What really makes it work here is the tale that PKJ, Fernández, et al are creating, particularly how Fernández is selling the mood with his visuals. Combining film noir aspects, manga stylings, and gothic designs pulls all the various aspects together into a cohesive whole. One only needs to look at how the shadows play in the office scene, blend in with the brilliant layouts of the secret underground city, and the demonic visages of Etrigan and Memento by the story’s end. Not one bit feels out of place. This is a dangerous Gotham, one equally beset by organized crime (as mentioned by the line “This is Tiger Shark’s turf!”) and Hell itself.
Despite any grimness, PKJ also infuses a sense of fun, seen here by The Irregulars as they explore parts of the city that the reader is unfamiliar with. The nod to No Man’s Land was also an appreciated reference to continuity. There’s even some amusement to be found in the aforementioned Batmobile ride or when Lautrec is introduced to Jason Blood.
Suffice it to say, my love affair with this current run continues. Moody and engaging, Batman and Robin continues to be a title I look forward to reading every month, with well-developed characters and captivating visuals. Be sure to pick it up! – Javier E. Trujillo
GRADE: A
