In this review of Batman and Robin #27, some old friends pay a visit to Bruce and Damian. A good time is to be had, right?
Batman and Robin #27 main cover by Carmine Di Giandomenico (DC Comics)
BATMAN AND ROBIN #27
Written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON
Art by FICO OSSIO
Main Cover: TONY S. DANIEL
Variant Covers: GUILLEM MARCH, DERRICK CHEW, ASHLEY WOOD
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 11/12/25
This review contains spoilers
Batman and Robin #27 begins with Batman, Robin, and The Quiet Man continuing their fight as the Gotham Irregulars watch with fascination from afar. Two-Face’s and Penguin’s goons start firing guns from a giant typewriter, but Robin is able to knock them off. Two-Face uses Penguin’s umbrella to weaken and knock over a giant mechatronic figure. It’s about to fall on Robin, but Batman is able to push him out of the way, though they both end up trapped. Two-face wants all three of them taken out by the goons, but the Quiet Man, who isn’t trapped, goes into the wreckage to help a defiant Damian out. But TQM does free Robin, reprimanding Batman for bringing a child into a fight like this. Batman, still trapped under the fallen structure, and Damian manage to knock out the goons with baterangs while Penguin and Two-Face get away.
TQM leaves, warning Robin that Batman should only be digging his own grave instead of bringing a boy into this foolishness.
We find out that Arnold Wesker, the rogue TQM is looking for, has no memory of his life as a villain and is being rehabilitated outside of Arkham Tower with a trusted friend, Simone Blair. Batman pieces together that during a shootout involving Falcone, Two-Face, Penguin and Scarface (Ventriloquist’s doll) a young army vet who appeared to be an innocent bystander, was badly wounded. Batman suspects the vet was TQM’s son. As Wesker is trying his best to start a new life, Batman is determined to protect him.
At Pennyworth Manor, Bruce asks Damian to do media interviews to promote Sacred Heart’s rebuilding. Upstairs the reporter, Clark Kent, and his son, Jon Kent, are waiting. Jon instantly hugs his best friend, and confesses he knows about Damian’s new friends and wants to meet them. So while Bruce and Clark continue to talk, Robin and Young Superman go and have burritos with the Gotham Irregulars at a park to talk and play around.
Back at the manor, Bruce is asking for advice on how to be a normal dad. Clark points out that Jon and Damian are very different, that the answer to being a great dad depends on the kid and the dad – they’re all unique. Bruce is worried because at his heart, Damian takes things the hardest when he can’t save everyone. After talking, the duo decide to check on Robin and Superman and admire their sons from a distance.
Two-Face and Penguin have figured out that The Quiet Man is after Arnold Wesker and are happy to help him find him. Batman and Robin #27 ends with the villains villains appearing at the undisclosed workshop and holding Wesker up at gunpoint.
Review
I shall attempt a review sandwich. Good bread and outer layers with a layer of yuck in the middle.
I really like that Batman is encouraging Damian in Batman and Robin #27. He is really making the effort to give Damian as normal a childhood as he can while still being Robin and grandson of the Demon’s head. This includes being humble enough to acknowledge he needs help and advice. It was a joy to see Clark and Jon back, and the dynamic duo going the Supermen for emotional support and encouragement. Say what you want about PKJ’s characterizations of Batman (I mean, I have) but I am really happy with this current version (though it was a rough road getting here). Jon and Clark bring things out of Damian and Bruce that no one else can, there is a freedom of vulnerability the Dark Knight and his family can have with the Spit-curls of Metropolis they don’t have with anyone else, and PKJ shows that beautifully here, while staying in character.
In the poor section of my review of Batman and Robin #27, I will tip my hat to my podcast co-host, Theo, who hates the fact that Batman is getting his butt handed to him too much lately. Here, we have a man, The Quiet Man, who’s gimmick is a little weird and repetitive from villains seen in this very book (Hush and Shush). He is also pretty OP, being John Wick lite, and seems to be able to take out any amount of opponents with no problem, including Batman and Robin. I personally don’t have a huge issue with this, though I do see his point. The more I read this arc, the more I realize that it isn’t about TQM, it’s about relationship between a father and son, living or dead. I can therefor ignore the butt whopping and chalk it up to badassery.
No, the true crime in Batman and Robin #27 issue is the art. As I was trying to make my way through this scratchy mishmash of art, I almost spat out my drink looking at the Kents. Jon, who is supposed to be an 18 year old heart throb, looked like a poorly assembled Mr. Potato Head.
I’ve been told that Ossio is pretty great and this is not his best work, but I have not been loving him on this book and this issue was truly the bottom of the barrel for me. I really just don’t care for his style, in particular his scratchy shading. I know I’m pretty biased, because these are my favorite characters and I want them to look good, but I think the kicker is that the main cover is done by Carmine Di Giandomenico, and to have that tease and then open the book to not-that is pretty disheartening.
And, to round things out with a positive for this issue, I appreciate PKJ’s Batman caring for the rogues of Gotham who are trying to reform. Through the years there are so many versions of Batman, and everyone has their quintessential Batman they cling to. For me, it’s the Batman who wants Gotham to be healthy, and this means more than just putting ne’er-do-wells in prison, it means healing the heart and encouraging growth. The Batman in Matt Fraction’s Batman run is returning to this, and here, we have Batman trying to protect Arnold Wesker, who is living his life Scareface free. I love a Batman who care and is willing to forgive and protect. I feel like this flows well with his humility to ask Clark for help, he realizes that others need help to, and he helps where he can.
Truly, it feels like Batman and Robin #27 isn’t about the conflict or the villain, it is about the relationship between a father and his son, and how to encourage health and growth before it’s too late. Because you never know when the end will come, as it did for TQM and his son.
