Warning: Spoilers for Batman and Robin #17DC is dangerously near repeating the identical mistake it's made dozens of occasions earlier than with Batman and robinand I'm begging for this to cease. The dynamic duo is likely one of the most iconic components of the DC Universe, however currently it looks like the characters are falling into outdated habits. I'm fearful that the corporate will repeat an outdated storyline after the characters have gone by way of it with out making the selection really feel justified.
Batman and Robin #17 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Javier Fernández and Carmine Di Giandomenico encompasses a second wherein Bruce and Damian argue concerning the thought of Batman, with Damian even questioning whether or not the lifetime of a vigilante is value it.
I'm afraid this second is emblematic DC repeating the identical drained story of Bruce and Damian combating one another that we've seen time and time once more. The truth that we get to see this story once more is infuriating, particularly because the earlier model in Batman and Robin I noticed this sample being firmly damaged.
Batman and Robin Damian Wayne has been by way of this story time and again
Batman and Robin #17 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Carmine Di Giandomenico, Javier Fernández, Marcelo Maiolo and Steve Wands
Though Bruce and Damian are on the identical facet, DC has a historical past of exhibiting the duo on the sidelines as a rule. Most notably, the 2 had been at odds following Alfred's demise, with the unhealthy blood between the 2 reaching the purpose the place Damian stopped working with the Bat-Household for a time period and flew solo, very like in 2022. Batman x Robin by Mark Waid and Mahmud Asrar, who pit father and son towards one another. This development even extends to various universes, like DC's Injustice sequence.
A part of their latest fights could also be resulting from Damian's progress, as he will get older and even begins to seek out an identification for himself exterior of what his mom and father wished for him.
Bruce and Damian experiencing the very same story once more appears tiresome, particularly when nice tales could be advised when the 2 are getting alongside. Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason's New 52 Continues Batman and Robin started with the duo having issues residing collectively, with the principle thrust of the sequence being the duo changing into nearer each as a dynamic duo and as father and son. Joshua Williamson's earlier run for the title - in the course of the Daybreak of DC initiative - additionally noticed the pair overcome their variationsoffering an excellent new take a look at Batman and his son.
A part of their latest fights could also be resulting from Damian's progress, as he will get older and even begins to seek out an identification for himself exterior of what his mom and father wished for him. Nevertheless, I don't suppose this newfound side of the character is written nicely sufficient to justify going by way of this story once more. For Damian to be at this level with Bruce once more, the place they're arguing greater than getting alongside, it looks like everybody Williamson's great work with Damian needs to be ignored for this plot to make sense.
Returning to Batman and Robin being at odds is a mistake
Damian Wayne's character went past this drawback
Finally, I feel having Bruce and Damian at odds as soon as once more is a mistake. With Bruce now getting together with a lot of the Bat-Household, it looks like a field is being checked for the aim of there being battle within the Bat-Household, slightly than there being a great motive for it. That's it particularly disappointing that this plot is occurring to Damian as soon as once more, as he loved a significantly much less constant dynamic with Bruce as Robin than along with his predecessors, virtually as if all of his progress was being reset due to a man-made battle.
I'm additionally not saying that Bruce and Damian must get alongside on a regular basis. It's wholesome and good for them to butt heads from time to timeparticularly given Damian's upbringing and the way he could be like his father at occasions. It could be polarizing in the event that they went from fixed battle to no battle. However going from a run the place they get alongside nicely to at least one the place it appears like they're again to sq. one is infuriating, particularly for readers who've been following these characters for years.
DC is repeating the identical mistake we've seen with Batman and Robin for years, and I hope the writer corrects course earlier than it's too late. After Williamson's run noticed them come collectively as a group, returning to that story feels reductive, particularly with out it being written nicely sufficient to justify returning to it. With Damian's cinematic debut coming within the subsequent DCU movie The courageous and the daring film, I hope DC remembers this Batman and robin they're purported to be the dynamic duo and can permit Bruce and Damian to maneuver previous this battle for good.
Batman and Robin #17 is now out there from DC Comics.