By orangerful

Batman & Robin, Vol. 1: Batman Reborn
DC Comics Deluxe Edition
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Frank Quitely, Philip Tan
Release date: April 13, 2010

Batman is dead? I didn’t even know he was sick!

That’s the very basic premise of the new Batman & Robin series, written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Frank Quitely.

The Caped Crusader is MIA (after an adventure in another Morrison series ended poorly) and presumed dead. Dick Grayson, the original Robin, has set aside his Nightwing costume and donned the Dark Knight’s cowl. Damian Wayne, Bruce’s estranged 10-year-old son who was raised by assassins, has put on the Robin outfit. Together this pair attempts to make the world believe that Batman is alive and well (and Bruce Wayne is just out of town indefinitely).

If you’re a comics fan, you’re probably familiar with Morrison’s work and know that his stories are not for the faint of heart. This applies to the ‘Batman Reborn’ collection — it’s gritty, it’s raw but it is oh so good. From page one, the comic hits the ground running, bringing together plotlines from previous series. Don’t worry if you’re not a die-hard Batman fan — you might get a bit confused by character references, but it’s nothing a quick Wikipedia search can’t cure.

Quitely’s artwork keeps up with Morrison’s story. From the haggard look of Commissioner Gordon to the freakish faces of the circus folk terrorizing Gotham in the first issue, Quitely creates panels that wonderfully bring Morrison’s script to life.

This is a definite treat for comic book fans. I’m sure hardcore fans of Batman have already devoured this series, but for anyone who is looking for a good place to start reading a Batman series, this new hardcover collection is a solid pick.