Batman and Robin #34 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Peter J. Tomasi
Art By: Patrick Gleason
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 20, 2014

Family Reunion

Last issue of Batman and Robin we saw our Caped Crusader go up against the Justice League to retrieve a Batsuit meant for battling the forces of Apokolips, aptly named The Hell Batsuit.  But our hero was overpowered and he returned home to the Batcave, but instead of simply giving up and eating Alfred's soup, we see that he's called the entire Bat Family to his aid.  So get ready to have Red Hood, Red Robin and Batgirl join us for Robin Rises Part 2.  Let's check it out.

Explain It!:

The Bat Family is all back together again after the whole Death of The Family thing and Batman going dark and being a dick to everyone after Damian died.  So it's time for a fresh start and Batman tells the rest that it's only honesty from here on out and he let's the group in on his mission to recover Damian's body.  It's really a nice moment where we finally see the entire Bat Family get together and actually seem like a crime fighting family force.  It's all I've wanted.  

Even though Bruce has said that his dark days are behind him he shows the younger heroes the half body of a parademon he apparently keeps for just this sort of Family Reunion.  Even though Bruce is still apparently crazy, our heroes want to join him on his endeavor.  He turns them down and says that he couldn't bear anyone of them dying for this mission and tells them that the safety of Gotham is up to them.  The three leave and as they do, we know that the Family's back together and I just wish that Dick didn't have to be presumed dead and working for Spyral........... Oh damn, Dick was hiding and comes out of the shadows to have a little one on one time with Bruce.  

Dick does what the rest of the family did and offer his help to his mentor, but again Bruce declines, but tells Dick that if he doesn't make it back from Apokolips, he'd be honored if Dick would wear the cowl again.  Also for this mission to work he'll need Dick to use Spyral technology to set up four untraceable distractions around the world.  It's really funny because Shazam, Aquaman, Cyborg and Wonder Woman are all across the world talking to Luthor in the Watchtower about how all these dangers they're facing aren't real and Luthor realizes that they're all distractions.  Luthor jumps up from his seat and finds the Hell Batsuit missing.  It's also funny, because even with this gigantic red eye glowing suit, Batman can still hide in the shadows.  

Luthor tells Bruce that's he's a little pissed that he only set up distractions for the other members because he feels that Batman doesn't see him or Captain Cold as a threat.  He's kind of right here because in the background we can see a knocked out Captain Cold hanging upside down.  

In the end Luthor tells Batman that he wants to help him and even upgrades the Hellbat suit.  Yeah this suit could be a problem because it works off of Batman's metabolism and could burn our hero out.  So before the rest of the heroes can make it back to the Watchtower Batman and Luthor have a nice moment together and he opens a Boom Tube and leaves to go find his son's body.  

This has got to be one of the best issues of Batman and Robin I've ever read.  It was just full of emotional moments that show how much Bruce cares for his family and what he'd do to make sure they're safe.  Also this has to be one of the best issues of Batman and Robin that Patrick Gleason has ever drawn.  I don't know if it was just because I was so emotionally invested that the artwork seemed to shine more, or if Gleason actually just went above and beyond to portray this story.  I don't know, it was just a really good looking book and the story was amazing. 

Bits and Pieces:

I loved this issue.  It has to be the best issue of Batman and Robin I've read since #18's silent issue.  While you won't find a lot of action in this book, you will be completely absorbed by the humanity that the characters portray and the wonderful art used to help you escape you're daily lives.  Tomasi and Gleason are at their best here and I can't recommend this issue enough.  It's just a beautiful book from front to back.  All in all you have to check this book out.

9.8/10