Review of Batman and Robin 2024 Annual #1

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It appears to be an impossible task to predict which DC books will receive an annual each year, but I should have anticipated it. A new ongoing bat-book is the perfect opportunity to generate more revenue. Anyway, with that hint of cynicism aside, Bruce and Damian are going camping this week! Let’s see how that pans out… Overall, I did enjoy this issue, which is an improvement compared to the last few months of the main series. It immediately aligns with what I desire this series to be, as Batman suggests this road trip as a chance for father and son bonding away from their superhero duties. Eventually, it takes on a vaguely reminiscent tone of “The Most Dangerous Game” as Bruce and Damian find themselves being hunted by Bloodsport. However, since they are without their costumes and have limited tools for protection, it maintains a slice of life aspect. As usual in Williamson’s writing, Bruce is depicted as a caring father to Damian, striving to strengthen their relationship. Unlike in other Batman titles, he is not harsh and actually comes across as well-adjusted within the context of superhero comics. In the end, it is revealed that he knew they were walking into a hunting ground and planned the trip to put a stop to it. I appreciate that he chooses to leave behind their superhero gear, encouraging them to roast marshmallows and act like “normal campers” together. He understands that Damian simply wants to fight criminals, so he designs a vacation that allows them to do just that while also giving Damian a chance to step outside his comfort zone and have fun with his dad. It’s surprisingly sweet in a Batman-y way. Unfortunately, despite its positive qualities, my main complaint about this story is how generic it feels. Some of this is due to the stock villains who lack defining characteristics beyond their crimes. Williamson attempts to make Bloodsport more interesting by having him decline a potential cash reward if he wins the hunt. He is solely motivated by the challenge and practice. However, this is not something new, and the character is not effectively developed beyond this, leaving me with unanswered questions about his motivations. This iteration of the character bears a striking resemblance to Idris Elda’s portrayal, but a one-page flashback does not provide enough information to understand his past or how he became what I can only assume is a zombie. The dialogue is also shaky at times, adding to the uninspired feeling of the story. Lines like “Then what do you suggest we do, Damian? Never not be our masked identities?” come across as awkward and stand out. Overall, the dialogue here is not particularly clever or memorable; it’s mostly mundane. Yeah… that’s how crime works… In contrast to the lackluster script, Howard Porter brings his usual visually busy style to the table. While I can appreciate his craftsmanship and unique aesthetic, it personally does not appeal to me. Additionally, he is not the best fit for this story. Porter’s art would be better suited for fantastical psychedelic or horror-themed stories. Here, although there are faint traces of horror influence, the majority of the story revolves around camping and action. Porter does justice to the impact of the action scenes, but an artist with a cleaner style would fit tonally and could better highlight the family dynamic, especially since Porter’s style does not lend itself to drawing recognizable faces or facial expressions. This depiction of Damian could easily be mistaken for anyone. Recommended if you’re seeking a break from the convoluted main plot of Batman and Robin, if Howard Porter’s art appeals to you more than it does to me, or if you’re a Bloodsport fan. Overall, this is an okay issue, but unfortunately, it’s the type of comic that you read once, store away, and forget about the next day. While the positive elements provide a refreshing change from the current state of the Batman line, it simply isn’t a strong enough comic to warrant a recommendation. Score: 6/10 DISCLAIMER: DC Comics provided Batman News with a copy of this comic for the purposes of this review. COMMENTS

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