In this review of Batman and Robin #13, we get the finale of Joshua Williamson’s run on the title as a venomized Damian looks for revenge against Bane.
Batman and Robin #13 main cover by Simone Di Meo
Batman and Robin #13
Written by: Joshua Williamson
Art by: Juan Ferrerya
Main Cover: Simone Di Meo
Variant Covers: Juan Ferrerya, Travis Mercer, Carmine Di Giandomenico, Christian Ward
Release Date: September 11, 2024
This review contains spoilers
Batman and Robin #13 begins on Dinosaur Island, as Robin is transformed by a new version of Venom that amplifies a person’s inner rage. Robin charges Bane, but Batman intercedes and tells Maya to get anti-Venom from the Batplane. At that moment, Vengeance appears with a Venom-loaded firearm and tells Batman he must fight his son. Batman refuses; just as Vengeance is about to fire, Bane snatches the weapon from her hands and snaps it in two. He tells a shocked Vengeance that he is ready to pay for his sins against Batman and Robin; in chains, he will accompany Batman to Gotham.
Just then Kobra cultists appear astride dinosaur mounts and Bane proposes to Batman a temporary alliance for the purpose of addressing the new threat. The panel snaps to a flashback in which Damian is discussing with an unseen adult mentor at school his relationship with his father. Back on the island, Batman and Bane are summarily disposing of Kobra, but Vengeance is furious about Bane’s intentions. Just then Maya arrives in the Batplane and shoots Robin with an anti-Venom-filled dart.
Flashback to the counseling session at school, and Damian is admitting that his relationship with his father has been both complicated and difficult.
Flash forward to Dinosaur Island, and Batman is cradling Robin as he transitions roughly from the enVenomned state. Batman tells Robin he will always be there, but, he removes his cowl and says that he will be present as Damian’s father. Damian regains full control and smiles weakly at Bruce just as a dinosaur launches itself at the pair, sickle claws primed for full violence. Bane appears out of nowhere to smash the dinosaur. He tells Batman to pick Robin up and they walk off into the afternoon sun, headed to Gotham.
Flashback again to the counseling session, and Damian struggles to talk about himself rather than his father. He finally relates his experiences over the last few years and reveals that he finally need not hide and that he now gets along with his father. The counselor suggests that it is alright for Damian to be unsure of who he is and recommends Damian use his drawing talent to express himself.
Back home, Bruce and Damian discuss the counseling session and the fact that Bane willingly entered solitary confinement at Blackgate, seeking time and space for contemplation. The Dynamic Duo contemplates their plans, which include a possible movie. But then an alarm trills, signaling that the Terrible Trio are on the move. They rush off in their respective vehicles. Damian’s lush, hopeful sketch of the Bat-Family remains on the bed where he left it, captioned “ I AM … LOVED.”
Analysis:
Batman and Robin #13 ends writer Joshua Williamson’s run on the title. And what a run it has been! In the final issue of his work on the book, Williamson continues to draw on the choices that have made the run so strong. He tells a relatively simple story, sets the characters in motion, and offers an authentic Batman and Robin. The addition of Bane is welcome, as he is nothing if not one of the most intelligent, complex, and multidimensional Rogues in The Batman Universe. Given that, his decision to ‘go quietly’ and reflect in Blackgate is believable, especially because, as everyone knows, including our heroes, Bane can depart any time he wishes.
The warmth and love on display in Batman and Robin #13 has been a breath of fresh air given the bleakness of Gotham and The Batman Universe in general and the character of Batman himself. It has always been true that Robin functions in part to save Batman from the darkness within, and here where Robin is his progeny, his soteriological role blazes even more strongly.
The emotional resonance of Batman and Robin #13 and their relationship is almost heavy-handed here in the finale, but that can be forgiven given how deftly Williamson has handled the theme overall. In particular, artist Juan Ferreyra’s rendition of Bruce on p.13, sans cowl, is affecting. The soaring spread on pp. 16-17 is fantastic, with Damian’s own sketches superimposed on the physical features of the Gotham cityscape. Some of the artwork in this run, especially from cover and occasional main artist Simone Di Meo, have been breathtaking in their dynamism, and this spread evokes the same.
Final Thoughts:
I am sad to see Williamson’s run end; it has been a stellar book.
Editor’s Note: You can find this comic and help support TBU in the process by purchasing this issue digitally on Amazon or a physical copy of the title through Things From Another World.
