Originally published on Patreon
Batman vs Robin issue five is a bit of an odd comic, mainly due to the fact that this five issue event took a slight detour between issue four and five, became an event series that only really had two main issues for the focal point of the event, had a ton of tie-ins that didn't really add to the main story and set up stuff for other characters and series, and now its gone back to both wrap up this story, and the event. It's a bit of a jumbled mess in that regards. However, it still manages to be incredibly enjoyable and a ton of fun.
In the final issue of Lazarus Planet Bruce Wayne was being possessed by the Demon Nezha, and Robin was unaware of this fact, believing the villain to be defeated. Damian wakes up a captive of his demon possessed father at the start of this issue, however, and must come up with a way of saving his father if he can.
It makes a kind of sense that the series would end the way it began, with one of our heroes under the influence of a demon, out to kill the other; though this time the roles are flipped. Damian really stepped up during Lazarus Planet, and it feels like this is the natural continuation of that, with him leading the charge to stop the demonic Batman, leading the Bat Family into battle against him.
It's a bit of a shame that not everyone was here for the fight, with Duke, Kate, and a few of the others not called in to help fight, but everyone who's been a Robin and a Batgirl comes along for the fight, so it still feels like a good portion of the core Bat Family came together for this.
And once again, we have a moment when Damian is willing to give his life to save his father. Just like in Batman: Urban Legends when he was willing to be erased from existence he's ready to die to make sure his father is okay. With Nezha removed from Bruce's body the heroes don't have long to try to save him, and it's going to take the magical transfer of soul essence to bring him back; but more than one person can give.
This is where Damian come sup with a plan that is yes, absolutely ridiculous, but one that I honestly loved. Broadcasting himself over Gotham, he tells the citizens that Batman is dying, that to save them they need a tiny piece of everyone's souls, a piece that they'll never miss. He tells them to raise their hands and chant 'We are Batman' to give over a tiny fragment of themselves. The magic users take these tiny pieces of soul and pour them into Bruce to revive him. So basically the population of Gotham Spirit Bombed Batman back to life. It absolutely fucking rocked!
Yes, I'm silly, but this moment genuinely made me tear up a little. Damian's speech to the city about how Batman has always been there for them, saving them, protecting them, the way ordinary people came together to save their protector, and how Bruce has a part of his city inside him now, powering him. It kind of feels like a perfect moment for this character, the ultimate loner who's already got a huge family because he's not really a loner, and now he has a sliver of the people of Gotham with him too. He's not just a hero anymore, he's their champion, and the people of Gotham have proven that to him.
It's not just the writing that's on top form this issue, the artwork looks great too, and there are some fantastic visual moments to be found here too. Monkey Prince jumping onto Damian's bike and scaring the crap out of him is a really funny visual, the Bat Fam coming together to fight Bruce on the rooftop, and the full page given over to the 'we are Batman' moment are all great. Plus, we get a full page of Bruce hugging his son, which is always an image that's going to be loved by fans.
Batman vs Robin is an odd, disjointed series, especially thanks to Lazarus Planet, but it's also a fun one. I've seen people asking online 'what was the point?' in regards to this title. But does there have to be a point beyond having fun? It's enjoyable, it's got cool stuff in it, and it's final issue is fantastic. It doesn't have to change the world, it can just be really damn cool.
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