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Passing the Cowl.
Who would have thought that Batman's young ward Dick Grayson would eventually don the cowl in his stead? Batman #687 serves as an epilogue to Battle for the Cowl and reveals that unthinkable reality. Oddly enough, it arrives a week after Batman & Robin #1 and is far better on every level.
In Batman & Robin, Grant Morrison makes the new Robin, Damian Wayne, appear to be little more than a bothersome nuisance. Here, writer Judd Winick shows us that Damian's brashness will be a foil to Dick's calm demeanour... and perhaps prove to be a real thorn in his side. A character as prickly as Damian is understandably difficult to manage, but Winick succeeds magnificently. In the hands of a less skilful writer, readers might be left wishing for Damian to be next Robin to bite the big one. Here, we're honestly concerned that this kid is going to get himself killed if Dick doesn't figure out how to reel him in.
The crux of the tale is the interplay between Alfred the butler's grief at his “son's” passing, and Dick's hesitation about stepping into the shadow of the Bat. Seeing them both cry together as they discuss the suddenness of Bruce Wayne's disappearance while planning the inevitable continuation of his legacy is an authentic sequence of human grief and resolve. This issue reveals a real human depth to Alfred and Dick. They're not just steel-faced crime fighters. They struggle and yearn to do the right thing. In some ways, Dick is a more appealing character than Bruce, because of this strong human element: his very reluctance to assume the persona of Batman is a refreshing change to the heroes who act more like invincible gods than the average Joe.
If the goal of this comic was to draw you into its world for 22 pages, and leave you wanting more, then mission accomplished. Judd Winick and Ed Benes have crafted a thoroughly believable Bat tale which shows us that Superheroes are just like everyone else.
8/10
Adam P.
Review Co-Editor
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