Comics Bulletin logo
Search
  • Columns
    Random
    • In my opinion... It's Fantastic!

      Josh Green
      November 16, 2010
      Busted Knuckles, Columns
    Recent
    • Revisiting the Witchblade/Fathom/Tomb Raider Crossover

      Daniel Gehen
      February 8, 2021
    • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 2

      Daniel Gehen
      December 4, 2020
    • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 1

      Daniel Gehen
      October 30, 2020
    • What Looks Good
    • Comics Bulletin Soapbox
    • The Full Run
    • Leading Question
    • Top 10
    • The Long-Form
    • Jumping On
    • Comics in Color
    • Slouches Towards Comics
  • Big Two
    Random
    • Crocked Critics: Star Wars Special: C-3PO #1

      Josh Green
      April 14, 2016
      Big Two, Big Two Reviews, Marvel Comics
    Recent
    • 3.0

      Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia

      Daniel Gehen
      February 22, 2021
    • 4.5

      DCeased: Dead Planet #7 Presents a Hopeful Future (Review)

      Daniel Gehen
      January 22, 2021
    • Retro Review: Detective Comics #826 Remains a Holiday Classic

      Daniel Gehen
      December 3, 2020
    • DC Comics
    • Big Two Reviews
    • Marvel Comics
  • Indie
    Random
    • 2.5

      Review: Red Sonja/Vampirella Meet Betty/Veronica #1 is a Crossover That Deserves Better

      Josh Green
      May 8, 2019
      Dynamite, Reviews
    Recent
    • 4.5

      Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • Image Comics and TMP Announces SPAWN’S UNIVERSE

      Daniel Gehen
      February 18, 2021
    • Reviews
    • Archie Comics
    • Boom! Studios
    • Dark Horse
    • IDW
    • Image
    • Oni Press
    • Valiant
  • Reviews
    Random
    • 5.0

      Archie Archives (Volume One)

      Josh Green
      May 25, 2011
      Reviews
    Recent
    • 3.0

      Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia

      Daniel Gehen
      February 22, 2021
    • 4.5

      Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • 2.3

      Review: SAVAGE #1 Needs Taming

      Daniel Gehen
      February 16, 2021
    • Singles Going Steady
    • Slugfest
    • Manga
      • Reviews
    • Small Press
      • Reviews
      • ICYMI
      • Tiny Pages Made of Ashes
  • Interviews
    Random
    • Interview: Ross Richie Discusses the Future of BOOM! and Comics

      Josh Green
      May 5, 2015
      Interviews
    Recent
    • Interview: Jon Davis-Hunt Talks SHADOWMAN

      Daniel Gehen
      June 8, 2020
    • Interview: Becky Cloonan talks DARK AGNES and Her Personal Influences

      Mike Nickells
      March 4, 2020
    • Simon Roy

      Interview: Simon Roy on His Inspirations and Collaborations on PROTECTOR

      Mike Nickells
      January 29, 2020
    • Audio Interview
    • Video Interview
  • Classic Comics
    Random
    • Blood-Sucking in the '70s: Morbius the Living Vampire and the Devil-Worshipping Priest

      Josh Green
      January 29, 2016
      Classic Comics, Classic Comics Cavalcade
    Recent
    • Countdown to the King: Marvel’s Godzilla

      Daniel Gehen
      May 29, 2019
    • Honoring A Legend: Fantagraphics To Resurrect Tomi Ungerer Classics

      Daniel Gehen
      February 15, 2019
    • Reliving the Craziest Decade in Comics History: An interview with Jason Sacks

      Mark Stack
      January 2, 2019
    • Classic Comics Cavalcade
    • Classic Interviews
  • News
    Random
    • Comics Bulletin Exclusive Preview – Winterworld #5 from IDW

      Josh Green
      December 5, 2014
      News, Previews
    Recent
    • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • Image Comics and TMP Announces SPAWN’S UNIVERSE

      Daniel Gehen
      February 18, 2021
    • SAVAGE DRAGON IS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 17, 2021
    • Press Release
    • Kickstarter Spotlight
  • Books
    Random
    • Review: 'Apollo' is Great with Facts, Less Great with Mythologizing

      Josh Green
      June 25, 2018
      Books, Reviews
    Recent
    • Collecting Profile: Disney Frozen

      CB Staff
      November 22, 2019
    • Collecting Profile: NFL Superpro

      CB Staff
      August 31, 2019
    • “THE BEST OF WITZEND” is a Wonderful Celebration of Artistic Freedom

      Daniel Gehen
      September 15, 2018
    • Review: ‘Machete Squad’ is a Disappointing Afghan Memoir

      Jason Sacks
      July 31, 2018
    • Review: ‘Out of Nothing’ is the Antidote to Our Sick Times

      Jason Sacks
      July 23, 2018
    • Review: ‘Bizarre Romance’ Shows Rough Edges in the Early Days of a New Marriage

      Jason Sacks
      July 10, 2018
What's New
  • Collecting Profile: Blue Beetle
  • Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia
  • Collecting Profile: Kraven the Hunter
  • Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good
  • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY
  • Image Comics and TMP Announces SPAWN'S UNIVERSE
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Contact Us
  • Write for us!
  • Visit Video Game Break!
Home
Columns

What We Said Then: Batman #655

Josh Green
December 22, 2014
Columns, What We Said Then

”What We Said Then” is an ongoing feature at Comics Bulletin, displaying past reviews from Comics Bulletin and how they relate to the prevalent comics of the present.

With the return of Robin, Batman’s son Damien Wayne, let’s look at a review of the character’s first appearance in Batman #655. Read what we had to say about the comic way back when…

Grant Morrison & Andy Kubert on Batman. Instant gold. The end.

Um, hold on a sec there, buckaroo… It’s not quite that simple. While Morrison & Kubert doing Batman is most definitely going to make DC lots of gold, er, money, that doesn’t mean it’s automatically the greatest comic of all time. On the contrary, I found the story to be extremely average and confusing in some spots. The only saving grace is the artwork by Kubert.

I’m really not quite sure how to take this story. The opening sequence is confusing as hell and reeks of “imaginary tale” or dream. This whole story feels a little… off. Plus I really don’t see DC killing off one of its main villains in such a throwaway moment. Literally. It just makes no sense whatsoever. Though I suspect the key to it all is said by Commissioner Gordon: Everybody needs to lighten up.

While there are some nice bits, especially concerning Alfred, Morrison just seemed to go to the extreme in making Bruce Wayne unlike Batman, except for the voice. Making Wayne appear to be addle minded at times and just not aware of his surroundings. Again, something is just off there. Including the continuity where Talia is concerned.

Talia, as currently represented in the DCU, is a smart, savvy businesswoman who is one of the leaders of the Secret Society of Super-Villains. Never was there a mention of her having a son. Least of all a son conceived by Batman. (Before anyone mentions it, yes I know of the great graphic novel Son of the Demon by Mike W. Barr and Jerry Bingham. It’s always been strictly out of continuity. Until now apparently?) The confusion just increases.

Quite possibly the best part of the book, and the one that makes the most sense in terms of how the characters are acting/reacting, is when Bruce Wayne crosses paths with Kirk Langstrom in London. Those few pages got me back into the story and have me curious as to what’s to come. I especially like Wayne’s reaction and comment to Langstrom rushing off.

One thing I have zero complaints about is the artwork by Andy Kubert. He just draws a damn good book. His Batman is physically imposing, while not looking absurd. While his Bruce Wayne is not like Batman at all, trim and yet not there’s a “softness” to him. His Batman is also always shrouded in darkness, even in the sunlight. His Alfred looks sufficiently proper, while maintaining that knowing twinkle in his eye. And his Joker looks maniacal and downright scary, while paying a slight homage to Marshall Rogers’ rendition. Every page by Kubert has something incredible to offer, from the back alleys of Gotham City to the Batcave to a hotel lobby London; they’re filled with lots of detail and depth.

Overall, I really have no idea where this story is going. If I didn’t know Morrison was writing it, I’d wonder who hacked it out. The thing is, Morrison always has a plan and I’m willing to play along with the “wait and see” attitude, plus there are numerous “Easter eggs” for the fans to figure out along the way (i.e. the graffiti in the alley). For now, I’ll just enjoy the high quality artwork and hope the story catches up soon.

Batman #655Damien WayneDC ComisRobinWhat We Said Then

Share On:
Tweet
Comics Bulletin Exclusive Preview – Batman ’66 # 50 from DC Comics!
Bin There Found That’s Obligatory Year End “Best Of” List

About The Author

<a href="http://comicsbulletin.com/byline/josh-green/" rel="tag">Josh Green</a>
Josh Green
Managing Editor

Josh Green lives in Philadelphia, PA with his lovely wife Lauren. Having worked at Dynamite Entertainment and TV Guide, Josh is now at Comics Bulletin and its network of websites at Crossroads Alpha, so that he can still dabble in pop culture. While he is not dabbling, Josh lives a simple life, where his main enjoyment is spending as much time possible with his wife, whose very existence gives Josh purpose for everything.

Related Posts

  • What Looks Good for 11/4/15: The Big Two

    Kyle Garret
    November 2, 2015
  • 2.5

    Review: ‘Batman vs. Robin” Gives Viewers a Taste of Gotham’s Most Dysfunctional Family

    Kristopher Reavely
    April 2, 2015

Latest Columns

  • Revisiting the Witchblade/Fathom/Tomb Raider Crossover

    Daniel Gehen
    February 8, 2021
  • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 2

    Daniel Gehen
    December 4, 2020
  • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 1

    Daniel Gehen
    October 30, 2020
  • Comictober 2020: DRACULA MOTHERF**KER

    Daniel Gehen
    October 27, 2020
  • What Looks Good for the Week of 10/14/2020

    Daniel Gehen
    October 12, 2020
RSSTwitterFacebookgoogleplusinstagramtumblr

Comics Bulletin is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, audible.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, Comics Bulletin earns from qualifying purchases.

All content on this site (c) 2018 The Respective Copyright Holders