Batman and Robin 12 Review

Well, that was anti-climactic.

I love Grant Morrison and I love the work he's been doing with Batman the last few years. I have awaited each new issue of Batman and Robin in some sort of near religious frenzy. I loved the first arc with Frank Quitely, I loved the second arc despite some unclear and muddled artwork. The third arc was the weakest I felt, but it was still the best Bat book on the shelves. And I had really enjoyed "Batman vs Robin" so far. But the grand finale left me feeling slightly disappointed.
Why?

Not the art, that's for sure. Andy Clarke's art is pitch perfect for this book. His style is reminiscent of Quitely's and it stands out as the best art Batman and Robin has seen since Quitely's departure.

My disappointment comes from the fact that this issue does not really wrap up the first year's worth of stories like I had hoped it would. Yes, the identity of the Domino Killer is revealed, and yes the mystery of Oberon Sexton is unravelled. But these event happen so late in the issue its almost as if they were tacked on as an after-thought. I am extremely intrigued as to where these new developments will take us, but I wish they had been given more time. I would have gladly sacrificed some of the bizarre scavenger hunt in Wayne Mannor for more of Oberon Sexton.

The highlight of the issue is Dick's confrontation with Deathstroke in Talia's hideout. Dick reminds us of the mutual hatred between these two while showing Deathstroke who's boss.

All in all a mixed finale to an outstanding year of Batman and Robin. This issue leads directly into The Return of Bruce Wayne, and I'm pretty psyched (I do wish Dick could have had more time as Batman though). I'll continue to follow Morrison into as he tells his own strange and surreal Batman epic.