The latest Batman and Robin installment continues to follow the titular heroes’ fight against Memento as the tension between the father/son duo rises to an all-time high. While the this arc started off solidly, Batman and Robin #19 unfortunately proves that it is becoming rather humdrum and overstaying its welcome.
The biggest flaw in Memento’s story is that it really doesn’t bring anything new to the table. A creepy villain who causes hallucinations, Batman refusing to trust anyone, and Damian Wayne’s angst are all tropes that have existed for a long time in the DC Universe. Although there are more parts to come, this arc should have ended three issues ago. In my opinion, this story would work a lot better as a one-shot. Condensing Batman and Robin’s fight against Memento into a single issue would make this adventure appear far more urgent, raise the stakes, and keep the reader’s attention.
Batman and Robin #19 is also a little too predictable. Damian’s run-in with Memento towards the end of the issue is something that would shock very few fans. Despite all the build-up to Robin’s inevitable confrontation with Memento and it ending on a cliffhanger, it still somehow managed to be a little bit anticlimactic.
Oracle interrupts Batman and Robin’s conversation.
Credit: DC
While I’m not the hugest fan of this arc, it’s not unsalvageable by any means. I admire the attention to detail in Javi Fernandez’s breathtaking art. The characters’ relationships and complex emotions were perfectly conveyed through Fernandez’s illustrations, especially the intensity of Damian’s relationship with his father. From the art alone, you could see how conflicted both Batman and Robin feel throughout the entire issue. And, while Oracle’s appearance in the issue was brief, it was still very prominent, proving that art can tell a story on its own.
I also appreciate that the story dove into the history of Gotham City and the mark Memento left on it. Robin explaining events dating back to the 1930s to Batman was a breath of fresh air and was a great addition to the story. However, it was also a missed opportunity for the comic as it could have opened the door for the arc to go in a different direction, limiting it to just a history lesson cheapened its impact.
Despite Batman and Robin #19 not being Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s best work, it still has elements that do impress. The chemistry between the characters and Fernandez’s art are definitely the highlights of the latest installment. Hopefully, the upcoming segments of Memento’s arc will pick up the pace and bring excitement back into the series.
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