Batman & Robin (The New 52) # 3

By Mark Rodriguez

Bruce Wayne is Batman and his own son Damian Wayne is Robin, and they continue to have problems getting along both as a Dynamic Duo but also as father and son. There is a mystery man going around the world killing other Batmen, who turns out to be Morgan, someone Batman knew from the League of Shadows. Morgan basically says his visit is an intervention and he vanishes, which has Bruce wondering what will happen next.

 Issue 3 is called Knight Moves and starts off with Damian and Alfred playing chess. Damian asks why Batman is increasing security around the Manor, and is tired of not being told what is going on. Alfred wins the chess match, which Bruce happens to catch as he walks in. Damian asks what got Batman so worried that he hasn’t let Damian join him on patrol for the last 2 nights. Batman says it will be the third night, since he wants to be sure what this man’s intentions are. Damian is, of course, upset that he’ll be left behind, and Bruce tells him to name the great dane he bought. The dog was meant to reward Damian for his self-control and to help him keep at it.

As soon as Batman leaves, Damian dresses as Robin and starts to head out. Alfred tries to stop him, slipping a tracking device on his bike. Damian notices and tosses it away… however, it’s revealed that Alfred slipped one on his cape.

Elsewhere in Gotham, two guys have a poor couple at their mercy. Even after they are made to withdraw all their cash from the ATM, they still want to cut them up, with one of them eager to film the whole thing. Just then Robin shows up, and the guy with the cellphone aims the gun at him, not taking him seriously. 

Robin proceeds to punch the guy’s cellphone into his face. Awesome. He then makes short work of the punks and starts beating the living crap out of the gunman. However, he holds back before going too far, until he hears the words “Finish him, Damian.”

No it wasn’t Shao Kahn…. It was Nobody, and Damian tries to attack him, sensing his presence. Robin already detects that Nobody was the reason Batman didn’t want him out on patrol. Morgan tells him he’s not there to fight, but to help Robin face what he really is. He notices the severity if the thug’s injuries due to Robin’s violent attacks, and proceeds to kill him. Damian is enraged by this, but Morgan paralyzed him with a specially timed move. 

Morgan claims he sees a new future with Damian, as he plans to take Batman Inc. down. Just as he starts to removes Robin’s mask, Batman busts into action.

Damian watches as Batman and Nobody duke it out. Even when Batman lands some critical hits, Nobody attacks him with ultrasound buzzing through his palms. Batman tries to go after Nobody, but is suddenly hit by a car. Sometime later, Batman and Robin wake up, tied down in an old convertible in front of a rundown old drive-in, with Nobody about to play a movie for them to see.

My Opinions

Morgan finally makes his move, and thanks to Damian's impulsiveness, he finally got what he wanted, a chance to speak to Robin alone. Morgan is basically the demon on Damian's shoulder. Trained to kill, Damian is fighting against his own nature to be a better person like Batman, like his father... but here comes Morgan to give him conflicting ideas and to tempt him to kill. This is an interesting story full of internal conflict and facing Damian's inner demons head on. The whole thing revolves around the question 'Can Batman work alongside his murderous son'? and here we are.

Adding to his motives to destroy Batman from the inside out, turning Robin against him, his outfit is pretty cool and full of interesting gadgets to counter Batman's utility belt. He's a worthy foe. Though I have to admit, despite the theatrics and how dark the series is, strapping Batman and Robin down and forcing them watch a movie is getting into Adam West territory.

In case you're wondering, Batman Inc was an international organization Bruce Wayne created and funded when he revealed to the world that he was funding Batman. When Bruce returned as Batman pre-New 52, he stayed with Batman Inc, letting Dick and Damian be Batman and Robin a while longer. Batman Inc seems to continue to exist in this story and also with one of their members, Nightwing, who has his own series during the New 52. I'm not sure what happened to Batman Inc, but it doesn't seem to be around after the next reboot, Rebirth.

This is a thrilling story that I'm enjoying re-visiting. We'll continue to see Batman and Nobody battle for Damian's soul.