BATMAN & ROBIN #26

[ I KNEW THAT I SHOULD NOT
HAVE POPPED THOSE PILLS ] 

What does Adolph Hitler, Winston Churchill, John Lennon, and Rihanna, all have in common? [Think Here] What? You don’t know? They are all very good at paining. Heck, any single of them could paint a whole apartment in a single afternoon – two coats! Just ask Writer: David Hine; Artist: Greg Tocchini; and Publisher: DC Comics – especially in September 2011.   

THE STORY:

Did you know that Paris, France, has its own equivalent of Arkham Asylum, called the ‘Le Jardin Noir’? And also, that they have there own version of Batman, called Night-Runner, too? However, what do you think happens, when a hand full of these Parisian inmates, break out from this Garlic smelling domicile, and then run riot all over the Louver? Simple really – Night-Runner calls Batman and Robin for help – that’s what.

Unfortunately, though, these French freaks of human nature do not want to come along quietly. As the ID perverts – the Skin Talker distorts – Ray man subverts – and Sister Crystal shatters – forcing Batman, Robin, and Night-Runner, to focus there minds, and figure out a way to overcome this lunacy that is fracturing there thoughts.

And do they manage to do this? Do they overcome these French freaks? Yes – in a manger of speaking, they do. And on top of that, they come face to face with the mad-man whom instigated this scenario as well – ‘The Man Who Laughs’ – paving the way for a confrontation – a resolution – and a work of art.

THE REVIEW:

Now I am afraid to say that this is the last issue of ‘Batman & Robin’. However, there is no need to cry about it, oh no, as in a couple of month’s time – guess what? Correct – it is coming back again with a new number one.  And funnily enough, while I am on the subject of ‘number ones’, this issue reminded me of a ‘number two’ (please don’t groan, I am just trying to say that this story is sh*t in a nice way).

Well, I just found that the overall story felt a bit flat to me – as it tried to do something that has been done before in other comic book series, without any of the style or the grace. What I am referring to is Paul Cornells ‘Knight & Squire’ mini-series – where the hero / villain homage’s are concerned – as well as Seth Fisher Green Lantern Graphic Novel ‘Will World’ – where the artistic slant is concerned. Personally speaking, I feel that to be able to pull something like this off, initially, you need a much more expansive storyline – and secondly, a much more detailed artist.

Listen, I do not want to sound like an a$$-hole or anything, but Hines, Tocchini, and Bressan, don’t seem to have the clout to be able to do something like this. The art is inconsistent between the two artists – Tocchini and Bressan –  and the writer – Hines –  it trying to cram a lot in, thus inadvertently melding this tale as if it was a casserole made from cement (i.e. tough to swallow).    

Still, to juxtapose this slant, I suppose that this creative team wanted to do something different with this ‘final issue’, so that they can send off this particular volume of ‘Batman & Robin’ in style. Therefore, figuratively speaking, I can’t blame them for wanting to do too much, whilst giving it a extra special twist in the process. But why France I wonder? Do they feel that Batman and France is a good mix? And somehow that this combination is something special? Hmm?  Maybe they saw this?

So-so issue, would have liked some with more depth and finery though.

THE RATING: B-