My “cancellation sense” was on the money with Batman and Robin, as writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s recent move to Marvel exclusivity means that his time with the Dynamic Duo is not only coming to an end, but the series itself will be ending next month. It’s a huge bummer, as Johnson’s Batman and Robin has been one of the biggest surprises for me in my time here at AIPT, but I’m happy that the series will be ending on the terms Johnson wants to end them on. Judging by Batman and Robin #29, that ending is looking to be a firecracker of a conclusion, as Scarface makes his big move against Penguin and Two-Face for control of the Gotham underworld, all while Batman and Robin try to put a close on the mystery behind The Quiet Man and his war on the city’s major crime figures.
Now safely locked up in Blackgate Penitentiary and revealed to be Cyrus Mercer, The Quiet Man is unable to complete his quest for revenge for the death of son. However, he may hold the clues to how Albert Wesker’s murderous alter ego Scarface resurfaced, and what his plans are. Unfortunately for the Dynamic Duo, Mercer only has what was told to him, and is just as in the dark about Scarface’s plans as they are. As Scarface lays waste to the crime families around him, his big plan is revealed: assassinate the Penguin at the Sacred Heart fundraising event. But now that The Quiet Man knows who set him up for the fall, he’s ready to make his escape and his play for revenge.
Simply put, this issue is a powder keg. The tension in these pages is felt from page one, and the additional knowledge that the next issue is the final one only adds to that. While at times it feels a little bit like an info dump, Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s script allows for some breathing room for Bruce and Damian to unpack the methods and motivations of the Quiet Man in surprising ways. Damian confronting his father’s beliefs about the Quiet Man’s quest being not unlike his, just without the litany of resources that Bruce Wayne has, was a really refreshing surprise, and shows how great of a handle Johnson has on Damian. I’d argue that Johnson’s Damian Wayne is one of the strongest takes on the character in some time, and the two discussing their similarities and differences with the Quiet Man made for a scene that was just as compelling as the action sequences in the issue.
Speaking of, that action is pretty jaw dropping, with Scarface showing a ruthlessness that I’ve never really witnessed in my time reading comics. Never one of my favorites, Scarface and the Ventriloquist were always gag villains to me: nice window dressing to flesh out Batman’s weird rogues, but never anyone I’d consider a legitimate threat. But after this issue I’m honestly surprised at how menacing a dummy with a machine gun can be, and the way that menace is juxtaposed with the sympathy you feel for Albert Wesker is fantastic. He’s truly a man who is both a bully and bullied, a slave to his psychosis in ways that feel impossible to escape.
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Fico Ossio is back on the art duties after taking last issue off, and while his replacement was a good stand in, I’m glad to have him back on the book. The ferocity of Scarface is bolstered by Ossio’s pretty shocking depiction of the puppet mowing down a roomful of goons, and there’s a level of horror that Ossio adds to the moments with Wesker and his alter ego that puts you on edge. That moodiness is also apparent as Batman and Robin confront The Quiet Man in his cell at Blackgate. Just barely hidden in the shadows, Ossio’s art really makes Batman and Robin into believable creatures of the night, ready to disappear into the darkness at a moment’s notice. That time off definitely worked to Ossio’s advantage, and I am very excited to see not only what he does next issue, but on future titles as well.
As much as it sucks having another great series end, Batman and Robin #29 is setting us up for a pretty excellent and exciting final chapter next month. One of the biggest draws to Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s run has been the dynamic between Bruce and Damian, but I’ve also really loved that he hasn’t been afraid to dive right into the world of Gotham either. Another Batman book will rise up to take this one’s place sooner rather than later, but I’ll be surprised if it hits as well as this does.
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