Batman & Robin Eternal #12 Review

Ooooh aah, mother, should I build the wall?



A dark revelation shakes the foundation of Grayson and he must chasten as the plot hastens without Tim or Jason. It's the twelfth issue of DC's weekly Batman chronicle, and my much delayed review covers an issue where we see the Sculptor's origin story and Batman make a decision that shocks Dick to his core. Could it be that Batman really agreed to Mother's idea, and what's more, to carry it out himself? Well, probably not, but it will look like it for a while, I think.

 

Hush now, baby, baby, don't you cry
Mama's gonna make all of your nightmares come true
Mama's gonna put all of her fears into you
Mama's gonna keep you right here under her wing
She won't let you fly but she might let you sing
Mama's gonna keep baby cosy and warm...



Mother had David (still a child at the time) murder Sculptor's parents, plucking her from her childhood to work her auspices to shape her children. They had a disturbing, grotesque "family" going for them, where I imagine David thrived in, since he was probably a sociopath even in his youth. While Sculptor had no choice, nothing else to cling to, Cain relished his role, murdering people's families, abducting children to be "educated" and placed in various positions throughout the world. It's surprising ARGUS or Spyral haven't caught onto this before now, to be honest. Or the Court of Owls. Or the League of Assassins. Or... whatever. At least Sculptor is cognizant of her culpability in the abuse of the children, though who knows if she's showing the whole truth or just manipulating these visions for her own ends.

 

"We made them watch Spy Kids 2 and 3."

Whichever the case is, she shows Batman in the company of Mother. The malicious matron does her best to convince that Dick's movements as Robin are too overt and easily implicate Bruce's identity. She insists that Batman would benefit from her services, giving him a partner bred to work for him. Batman reluctantly agrees to her suggestions and agrees to place an order, but only under the condition that he orphan a child for it himself (not suspicious at all). Dick is, understandably, disillusioned by this, refusing to believe the Sculptor's visions. For her part, Sculptor says Mother can influence people, but isn't it Sculptor who does that? Dick isn't sure what to believe, especially since Sculptor's safe house and her herself are an illusion she let he and Harper see this whole time.

 

Actually, his first rule is, "You do not talk about Bat Club." Also the second rule.



I imagine that all is not as it seems. We did see Batman shoot that kid's parents at the end of the first issue of this series, but there's obviously more to this than that. It could be that he's brainwashed, but I have a feeling this is Batman running a long game show for Mother's benefit, tricking her into believing he killed for her benefit. But there's obviously more to be revealed about this story from the past.

Next: Take Your Daughter To Work Day

 

When the pizza delivery boy was late, Cass didn't settle for half off.



- Penguin Truth
(2016)

Story: James Tynion IV & Scott Snyder
Script: Ed Brisson
Artist: Javier Pina & Goran Sudzuka
Colors: John Rauch
Lettering By: Corey Breen
Cover: Carlo Pagulayan, Jason Paz, & Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Editor: Chris Conroy
Asst. Editor: Dave Wielgosz
Group Editor: Mark Doyle
Batman Created By Bob K--wait...



Still too little credit for Finger.

 


Recent Comments