Bat-Reviews: Batman and Robin #3
Oink. Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely are certainly a pair, playing off each others’ quirks and eccentricities. Batman and Robin hit the ground running after the widely unpopular RIP that shook the waters a bit too much, but now I’m wondering how safe this new title is in comparison.
Morrison’s created a fantastically mad new villain, Professor Pyg, whose ill touch has begun to infect the city with his creepy doll minions and perilous drugs. Pyg holds out for a short but well-handled length of time before he’s whisked away to Arkham, and in terms of content, Batman and Robin #3 burns up as quickly as Pyg’s “pen” itself. By the end of the issue Batman and Robin (or Robin and Batman, as Damian prefers … “that’ll catch on”) are already on their way to confront none other than Le Bossu—one of the creeps associated with the Black Glove.
On a side note, I’m glad at least Morrison finds the decency to make Gordon question Dick’s dangerous tactics as the Caped Crusader, even if he doesn’t seem to have a clue what’s going on with the Bat-family lately.
The scenes with Pyg are wonderfully disturbed. Morrison’s pinned down what has the makings of a genuine Batman rogue—one who suffers from a rather dramatic ego, fetishes, and certainly a darkly murky past. I love that he even acts like a pig in his behavior, particularly with sounds; it reminds me of the Penguin’s trademark oddities.
Obviously Morrison’s plans for Pyg are yet simmering (and that’s a good thing), for his destruction upon Gotham’s citizens remains alive and kicking. However, this issue felt strangely fragmented and a little bare, and for that reason I’m beginning to fear it might crumble the way RIP did in its disconnected, overplayed manner. What was the continuously building, delightfully clashing personality of Dick and Damian seems a bit weaker in this issue, as well.
The one-page cut to Alfred and his mysterious watcher doesn’t comfort, either, considering Morrison basically crammed it in between some pages. Adding in the abrupt yet intriguing reveal of the Red Hood at the issue’s conclusion, the comic feels a bit messy near the end at the same time it struggles to fatten itself up with substance throughout an otherwise well-structured book. The next issue probably won’t be so much of a loose cannon, but Batman and Robin waters down with its third issue.
Recommendation: This pyg is looking scrawnier than usual, but could it be on its slow way to the fryer? Be warned: Feeding it your leftovers just won’t do, Morrison.
