Book Review: Damian: Son of Batman #4

Book: Damian: Son of Batman #4 (of 4) written and illustrated by Andy Kubert with color by Brad Anderson

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Review:

In this action packed finale issue, Damian had to go up against a Joker wannabe and his goons to save his father. It was truly a test to his resolve to not go back to his natural fighting instincts because he didn't want to be a killer.

Something much worse happened when the Joker wannabe abducted Bruce, it brought the return of the real Joker who decided to finish what Damian didn't do.

I like how the ending was left open, sort of in case this miniseries did so well that it might lead to an ongoing series. Which I would actually be willing to read. I liked how Damian was wrestling with trying to figure out the best way to be his own Batman as well as trying to better himself.

As much as I like this, I didn't get the answer to my question from the third issue of who the Father was in the church. Maybe if this will get turned into a series, perhaps I'll get my answer.

Overall, I enjoyed this mini. It had a lot of layers to it which I liked. Too bad this isn't a series because I really like this Elsewhere world.

Book Review: Damian: Son of Batman #3

Book: Damian: Son of Batman #3 (of 4) written and illustrated by Andy Kubert with color by Brad Anderson

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

This story is getting even better and better. The story continues where it left off at the end of the last issue with Damian falling into one of Gotham's rivers after his unsuccessful fight with Professor Pyg and his Dollotrons.

Afterwards, Alfred pulled Damian from the water and took him back to the Bat cave to give him medical attention where something tragic happened back in the cave. It was sad because it really was unexpected. But from that experience something rather interesting happened and made Damian's pet cat even more special to him.

Once recuperated, Damian was back to donning the Bat suit and back to taking on the bad guys. First he took on some kidnappers who were going take the kids to Professor Pyg. Then, he stopped by the church for another session of spiritual wisdom but something the Father said struck his curiosity and had Damian wonder just who this man really was. Which also had me wondering who he is as well. Maybe it's Tim Drake or Jason Todd? I do hope this will be answered in the last issue.

Back to the manor, Damian found out his father was missing and found a familiar playing card sitting on the bed. This ended on a cliffhanger with clues leading Damian back to where this story began, the docks with Bruce being held captured as well as meeting the captures face to face.

I'm completely invested in this miniseries and definitely want to know how it ends. Because in this issue Damian is finally heading in the right direction to becoming the hero that he wanted to be. He might not do things as Bruce would have done them but he no doubt becoming a his own version of Batman.

I can't wait to read the last issue.

Update on my Damian: Son of Batman #1 and #2 Reviews

I can't believe it didn't dawn on me until now, that Dick Grayson was Batman in the first issue. After writing my review for the second issue of Damian: Son of Batman, I had a slight gnawing about Damian saying Dick died at the Docks. For some reason or another it didn't even register to me that the Batman that died in the first issue was supposed to be Dick Grayson. Probably because he didn't have any of Dick's personality so it read as Bruce instead.

So, when Bruce showed up at the end of the first issue I figured he just faked his death trying to test Damian like he's done in the past with the other Robins. Last night I re-read the first issue and then it clicked.

After I type this up, I'll go back and make a few changes to my other two reviews.

Damian: Son of Batman #1 review

Damian: Son of Batman #2 review

Book Review: Damian: Son of Batman #2

Book: Damian: Son of Batman #2 (of 4) written and illustrated by Andy Kubert

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Review:

Update to fix an oversight:

This issue picks up right where the first one ended as well as it answered a lot of the questions I had after reading the first issue.

With Bruce's surprised appearance after it appeared he died in the first issue, he was extremely angry that Damian had taken to using ruthless means to fighting crime and a fight ensued between the two leaving Bruce critically injured. You can tell by the look on Damian's face that he didn't mean for his father to get hurt, that's the last thing his wanted to happen. Most likely his reflexes probably kicked in automatically to protect himself while being attacked.

I'm not really sure why it seemed like Bruce had faked his death, maybe it was to see if Damian had what it takes to protect the city. Although Bruce didn't fake his death, it was really Dick Grayson that died in the first issue. And I guess it turns out Damian's not quite ready for all of the responsibility as being the sole protector of the city but I don't think Bruce's attack on Damian certainly helped matters at all. 

Anyway, back to my review, with Bruce being cared for by Alfred, Damian was off to try to figure out what happened. He went back to get a little more spiritual guidance before determining his next plan of action. Damian thought he was finally ready for the next step as being the next Batman. He feels like he is ready to be that person that will make his dad proud.

While Batman was at Arkham Asylum trying to look for clues to the Joker, a strange scene was playing out at Wayne Manor, with a nurse who strongly resembles the Joker was taking care of Bruce. I seriously can't image Alfred hiring this woman to look after Bruce while he recuperates because she's way too creepy as well as being strange. It will be interesting to see what this scene is all about.

This ends on a cliffhanger with Batman not finding the Joker but instead Professor Pyg who had abducted a bunch of children trying to turn them into some of his latest creations, his dollotron army.

This second issue was just as interesting as the first because Damian is still trying to figure out who he is and Bruce pulling one of his old stunts isn't going to give Bruce the results he was looking for. This issue also answered my question about why Dick Grayson had not been around in the first issue (yeah after it dawn on me). I don't get it, does DC Comics has some kind of deep seated desire to kill off Dick Grayson because yet again the poor guy is no more. Well, at least this is an Elsewhere story. However, there is still no mention about Tim's whereabouts. I would still like to know what happened to him.

I will be reading the last two issues really soon because I want to see how this will end. Because is Damian going to get the chance to redeem himself and become the person he really wants to be? I guess that's the question I hope will be answered in the end.

Book Review: Damian: Son of Batman #1

Book: Damian: Son of Batman #1 of 4 written and illustrated by Andy Kubert

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Review:

Updated to fix an oversight:

This was better than I expected. It's good to see Damian back, even if this does feels like an Elsewhere story. Damian is a little older than in his last appearance in the DC Universe. I would say he's around 15-16 years old in this story, although it doesn't say.

In this first issue (of this miniseries), Robin was out on a mission with Batman trying to figure out who was behind a mass murder at one of the docks. While they were searching for clues, an unthinkable tragedy occurred leaving Damian alone to sort through the aftermath. Surprisingly, Damian actually went to his mother and grandfather for help but of course you knew they were not going to help, since, he chose to be Robin over following in his mother and grandfather's footsteps.

With no assistance from the League of Assassins, Damian was pretty much on his own, crime fighting wise. Alfred was still there but it makes me wonder if Dick or Tim is still in the crime fighting business because it seems like he would have been there to guide Damian in some capacity. Perhaps Tim's whereabouts will be answered in the other issues.

Anyway after the tragedy, Damian was having a hard time dealing, resulting in his crime fighting becoming even more brutal. He was doing a lot of things that Batman definitely wouldn't have condoned and in fact it had him seeking a little spiritual help.

I thought this was good and I'm actually looking forward to reading more. This ended with a cliffhanger, leaving me wondering if Batman was up to his old tricks of testing his sidekicks. But I guess I'll have to wait until the second issue to see what's really going on.