Broken Frontier

Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert give us what we’ve all wanted. Two words, folks: ninja man-bats. Or is that three words?

While I must admit I am not a fan of the inexplicable trend in comics right now involving long lost or unknown family members—particularly sons—coming out of the wood works, at least in Batman’s case there is some groundwork for the story. It seems a few years ago Batman had a one-night-stand with Talia al Ghul and even though he claims to have been drugged during this late night liaison, the result was a son, kept secret, it seems, for years. In the second part of Morrison and Kubert’s run Talia gets Batman’s attention with the help of Professor Langstrom and his man-bat serum, thus, ninja man-bats. The action is high, the intrigue is high, and the possibilities of this storyline are so far reaching, if you are a Batman fan and you are not reading it, then you are not a Batman fan.

Whenever Grant Morrison touches a book, strange things begin to happen. On Batman he has not changed his habit a bit. In the first issue Joker was shot in the face, Commissioner Gordon was turned into a blithering, creepy freak, and Batman relaxed…a little. In the second installment of "Batman and Son" Morrison ups the ante by placing Batman in an impossible situation in London. He captures the false wit Bruce Wayne effects when he mingles with the stars and the stern, cold, warrior façade Batman maintains with ease. He mingles a classic superhero sensibility and storyline with far more modern dialogue and action. In the end, Morrison creates superhero comics any reader can love. They are intelligent, they are fun, and they are worth the price tag.

Throwing Morrison’s words in with Andy Kubert’s art only adds to the deliciousness of this comic. Sure, Bruce Wayne may be a taller, slimmer version of Wolverine and every woman perpetually wears the same expression, the same luscious lips, and the same big eyes, but whatever. At least it all looks good. This man is, after all, a Kubert, about as close to comic book royalty as you can find. His hard edges and sharp lines are reminiscent of his father’s work, but his style, his ability to throw in cameos by some unlikely celebrities, and his pop art references swarming this particular issue, give the book a feel that echoes Morrison’s storytelling. Together they are creating a modern classic.

Batman has been through the ringer time and time again, but he has never had to deal with a flesh and blood son! Morrison is up to his old tricks and he brought a Kubert and a Dark Knight along for the ride. It’s been fun so far…