Batman and Son [Paperback]

Grant Morrison (Author), Andy Kubert (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 22, 2008

Batman receives the greatest shock of his life when he discovers that he may have a son! Sparks fly when the new addition to the Wayne family is introduced to Robin. Collects BATMAN #655-658 and 663-666.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Grant Morrison is one of comics' greatest innovators. His long list of credits includes Batman: Arkham Asylum, JLA, Seven Soldiers, Animal Man, Doom Patrol, The Invisibles and The Filth. He is currently writing Batman and All-Star Superman. Andy Kubert, son of comics master Joe Kubert, has long been one of comics' greatest young talents, with work including both X-Men and Ultimate X-Men, Adam Strange, Captain America, 1602 and much more! --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (July 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401212417
• ISBN-13: 978-1401212414
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 0.3 x 10.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,721 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Grant Morrison is one of comics' greatest innovators. His long list of credits includes Batman: Arkham Asylum, JLA, Seven Soldiers, Animal Man, Doom Patrol, The Invisibles and The Filth. He is currently writing Batman and All-Star Superman.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 4 Stars for the 1st Arc, 2 Stars for the 2nd Arc, December 31, 2007

By 

Andrew Shaffer "Author, Blogger" (Iowa) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Batman and Son (Hardcover)

This hardcover collects issues #655-#658 and #663-#666 of Batman's regular DC series, featuring writing by Grant Morrison and artwork by Andy Kubert. "Batman and Son" features the surprisingly uncontroversial introduction of Batman's son, Damian. The interplay between Batman, Robin, Alfred, and Damian is handled excellently by Morrison in the first four-issue arc included here.

The second arc, featuring two Batman doppelgangers, falls flat. Morrison has stated that there's more to come, so I will reserve judgment for now.

If you enjoyed this collection, I would also recommend picking up "Batman Annual: Head of the Demon" (a single issue also featuring Damian Wayne).

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Few ups, and downs, July 29, 2008

By 

snowmay2 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Batman and Son (Hardcover)

Batman's son Damian is where lots of conflict, and central part of the story happens. Batman will have to more or less "babysit" his own child, but its a child that has been taught the exact opposite of everything he (Batman) believes in. Damian is selfish, spoiled, nearly uncontrollable, alpha male which leads to a heated moment or 2 between him, Robin, the rest of the Bat family, and he believes its ok to kill which is a big no no for old Bats.

The biggest flaw besides the annoying character Damian, and the semi stupid (or completely stupid) Ninja-Man-Bats of the story however is the fact that Grant Morrison didn't do his research properly because he didn't read Son of the demon, or at least looked it up on wikipedia. Because of that he comes up with a last minute excuse as to why Damian's origins changed from being a regular child who Talia gave birth to, to being raised in a artificial womb (stupid indeed). His excuse as to why the origins changed was the same way Jason Todd was brought back to life because reality was altered by Superboy Prime , which was a horrible way in itself, and was used again in this case.

Another BIG flaw is how things are put together in this book. You should check out Grant Morrison's entire run on Batman for more details closure, etc, on these, and other stories of Batman. I agree with one of the reviews that says this is only part of the story, and was questioning why DC put out the books the way they did. Grant Morrison said that you should read his entire run to get the best of Batman's stories, as each of his story's connects with each other in more way than one. A bit confusing, but more or less mandatory to get the full effect of Batman and Son, and the other stories he wrote with in the last 2 or so years involving Batman. Trust me... there is a lot more to this story especially with the "3 ghosts of Batman", and "Batman RIP" story lines

On a good note though, while Damian is annoying, it brings out some of the best parts of the story. The heat, and tension between him, Robin, Alfred, and Batman are all somewhat hilarious, and keeps you waiting to see what this little jerk will do next. Also there is a great piece of dark comedy at the beginning of the story with Gordon in the hospital still feeling the effects of Jokers gas (a side story is involved). While the Ninja Bats may be a stupid idea, ironically it also brings out some of the best action in the story with Batman trying to fight them off.

For the final good note this book also contains issues 663-666 which are all great short stories consisting of Damian becoming Batman in the future. Joker returns in a story that reads more like a magazine with some art rather than a comic which may turn comic fans off. Also a story where Batman is confronted by a monster of a person that has a resemblance to himself and Bane. Sounds cool huh?

All in all Batman and Son is ok with a few funny, heated moments, with a little action peppered in, and artwork that isn't great, but gets the job done. The other stories that come along with the book are great if not good, and adds more reading time for your buck. Not saying you should buy it, but its entertaining enough to at least check out before you do or don't spend money on it.

23 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Morrison takes on the Dark Knight, September 7, 2007

By 

N. Durham "Big Evil" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Batman and Son (Hardcover)

Modern day comic visionary Grant Morrison (The Filth, Animal Man, All Star Superman, JLA, New X-Men; you know the list) takes on the Dark Knight with his highly stylized and constantly entertaining run on Batman. Batman and Son is an interesting take on the Dark Knight as Batman learns he has a young son named Damian with Talia al Ghul; his one time love and daughter of supervillain Ra's al Ghul. As Batman takes the child under his wing, he learns that his son has been raised and trained by the League of Assassins, and he's got a temper to boot. Morrison's new take on Batman is refreshing and incredibly entertaining, beginning with arch nemesis Joker taking a bullet in the face and continuing with demonic undertones and hints towards cataclysmic events. This hardcover collection concludes with the 666th issue, which finds Damian taking the mantle of Batman 15 years into the future. This issue, along with a special issue featuring the art of John Van Fleet in which the Joker rears his ugly head again at Arkham Asylum (that eerily resembles Morrison's own Arkham Asylum graphic novel), are worth the price of admission alone. Andy Kubert (X-Men, 1602) provides the rest of the pencil work throughout this collection, and his work is great as usual. While there is a bit of a cliffhanger conclusion that leaves you begging for more, Batman and Son is a thrilling take on Batman from the visionary Morrison, and here's hoping things get even better.