Batman and Robin #13 – 15: Batman and Robin Must Die! Review

Batman and Robin Must Die! is the culmination of much of what Grant Morrison has been building up over his run on Batman, bringing along artist Frazer Irving for the ride.

Batman and Robin Must Die! is one of those stories that leads to another series of shocking and downright frightening events that will shatter expectations and leave readers desperate for more. It’s gripping, tense and grim, as the situation just continues to keep getting worse over the story, but it’s still better paced and has better clarity than Batman RIP. Furthermore, Morrison still manages to execute the payoff of all the threads he had been setting up in the build-up to this arc in such an insane, creative manner as to make you question all your expectations. Okay, Damian’s poisoning and the shocking gunshot that opening the arc play out at the end of it almost like false cliffhangers. But that seems small potatoes in the actual context of the story.

Frazer Irving’s art is brings a haunting atmosphere that is invaluable to what Morrison wants to achieve, with each unsettling image being made all the creepier. Sure, his figure work and compositions aren’t really my cup of tea, but considering Batman and Robin Must Die! is meant to be a nightmarish reflect of what was already an intense tale, Irving succeeds in driving an underlining creepiness at every turn.

I haven’t said much about this arc because it’s one amazing moment after another, and there is no other way I can describe that. It’s nightmarish, surreal, but in a good way, helped with the jigsaw pieces all now falling into place. Plus, it ends on an absolutely awesome moment.

In other words, read this arc for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.