Review: Batman and Robin: Vol. 4- Requiem for Damian
Quick Summary
Pros: The opening chapter is absolutely excellent and is one of the best single issues DC has produced. The rest of the collection is also incredible and does a fantastic job in examining the pain Batman and Alfred are currently going through. The artwork is amazing and helps give the actions here even more meaning.
Cons: Plentiful references to other comics may confuse newer readers.
Overall: This is a stunning volume on its own and a fantastic continuation of the story this series has been telling. Each issue provides a brief glimpse into the intense situation currently developing within the Bat-family and captures emotions that genuinely feel real. The entire volume also features a beautiful blend of artwork and storytelling that works on many different levels. Anyone who enjoys Batman, Robin, or any other member of the Bat-family should read this book.
Story
People who have read the first three volumes in the Batman and Robin series will likely go into Vol. 4: Requiem for Damian, by Peter J. Tomasi, thinking that the series is already as good as it can be and that it couldn’t possibly get any better. Those people would be wrong.
This volume somehow manages to be deeper and more meaningful than any of the volumes preceding it. It has the Bat-family in turmoil after a single event changed the fate of their entire lives. Their reactions to this event are so well-written and approached with such care that readers get an incredibly realistic look at the grief they must be going through. All in all, this is not a volume for any fan of Batman to miss.
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As mentioned above, the opening chapter of Requiem for Damian is easily the best single issue of this series and makes a compelling case for being on lists of best single comic issues in general. Somehow the combined efforts and talent of Tomasi and Gleason are able to capture the intense pain of losing a child and show how someone as powerful as Batman may deal with that loss. What’s more, they are able to do all of this without a single word of spoken dialogue or narration. This makes the entire experience even more meaningful and highlights the emotions even further.
From here, Requiem for Damian shifts the tone of the Batman and Robin series from one of wholesome family development to one of grief. In this volume, Batman is on the verge of destruction. The loss of his son has him lashing out in dramatic ways, shattering the typically put-together persona he has crafted over his 70+ years of existence. His behavior and extreme hostility toward members of his own family is shocking and should have the reader questioning how this can be the same person they have been reading in the past. By focusing on these atypical actions, the narrative shows how damaged Batman is on the inside.
However, Batman isn’t the only member of this family whose grief is put under the microscope. Alfred is deeply upset by the loss of someone he too considered to be his child. Alfred’s presence throughout this book is expertly handled and comes to a fantastic tipping point as Alfred breaks down in tears as the collection concludes. It is also simply nice to see that Requiem for Damian continues to acknowledge Alfred as an integral pillar of the Bat-family, rather than relegating him to the sidelines.
If there is a problem with Requiem for Damian, it would be the sheer number of references this comic makes. This volume brings up events from a ton of other comics. For readers familiar with these comics, the references will be fun to see. However, those unfamiliar will probably be a bit confused by them. In this way, the volume is slightly less effective as a standalone story.
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Art
Like previous volumes, Patrick Gleason’s artwork in Requiem for Damian is excellent. It provides wonderfully drawn versions of every character and even gives a great introduction to a new character. It is also a wonderful complement to the narrative that helps the emotions of this volume come through even more effectively.
This is most easily seen in the volume’s first chapter. Without revealing too much, the first chapter is an incredibly emotional affair that doesn’t contain a word of dialogue. Because of this, the chapter relies entirely on the artwork to tell the story. Here, Gleason’s character designs, use of shadow, and page layouts tell a story all on their own. They provide the perfect blend of artwork and storytelling to make this particular chapter great and set the stage for the stories to come.
Continuity
Batman and Robin Vol. 4: Requiem for Damian continues the story from Batman and Robin Vol. 3: Death of the Family (Review). However, the entire volume is also heavily based on the events of Batman Incorporated #8, collected in Batman Incorporated Vol. 2: Gotham’s Most Wanted.
The story here continues in Batman and Robin Vol. 5: The Big Burn (Review).
This volume also references another comic book, detailed below:
- Carrie Kelley is a new character in the mainstream DC Universe. However, she is based on a character from Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.
- Frankenstein’s relation to S.H.A.D.E. is explained in Frankenstein Agent of S.H.A.D.E. Vol. 1: War of the Monsters (Review). The story about his son is explained in Frankenstein Agent of S.H.A.D.E. Vol. 2: Secrets of the Dead (Review).
- Batman mentions trust issues that have developed between himself and the rest of the Bat-family. These issues are explained in Batman #15, collected in Batman: Death of the Family (Review).
- Batman mentions that he and Superman both died at points in the past. Batman died in Batman #681, part of the Batman R.I.P. storyline, and Superman died in Superman #75, part of the Superman: Death of Superman storyline. How these two events relate to the DC’s New 52 continuity is not entirely explained.
- Red Hood was infected with Joker toxin in Red Hood and the Outlaws #17, and he recovered in Red Hood and the Outlaws #18. These issues are collected in Red Hood and the Outlaws Vol. 3: Death of the Family (Review).
- Jason’s death at the hands of the Joker is also mentioned. This took place in Batman: A Death in the Family.
- Jason also mentions something about Joker manipulating his life. This was revealed in Red Hood and the Outlaws #0, collected in Red Hood and the Outlaws Vol. 3: Death of the Family (Review).
- An altercation between Batgirl and her brother is mentioned. This altercation took place in Batgirl #19, collected in Batgirl Vol. 3: Death of the Family (Review).
- Batgirl’s removal of her bat-emblem took place in Batgirl #20, collected in Batgirl Vol. 4: Wanted (Review).
- Batgirl was shot and paralyzed by the Joker back in Batman: The Killing Joke.
- Catwoman joined the Justice League of America in Justice League of America Vol. 1: World’s Most Dangerous (Review).
- Batman mentions punching Catwoman’s helmet recently. This took place in Catwoman #18, collected in Catwoman Vol. 3: Death of the Family (Review).
- Nightwing changed locations and went to Chicago in Nightwing #19, collected in Nightwing Vol. 4: Second City (Review).
- At the conclusion of this volume, Alfred reflects on the events of Batman Incorporated #7, collected in Batman Incorporated Vol. 2: Gotham’s Most Wanted.