After a little over two years it seems as if the third volume of Batman and Robin is coming to a close with Batman and Robin #30, brought to us by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Fico Ossio brings both their run and the series as a whole to a close as Bruce and Damian struggle to stop a gang war from breaking out at a hospital fundraiser.
What Happens in the Batman and Robin #30 Finale?
Late at night with bright lights illuminating the courtyard outside of Sacred Heart Medical Center, the objective of the Dynamic Duo is clear: stop the fight from breaking out. To make matters worse, The Quiet Man escaped his cell and is surely on his way for more bullet-laden revenge, regardless of the surrounding crowd. Batman and Robin are quick to act, spotting out Scarface before he can get to the Penguin. Bruce sends Damian to handle the gunmen while he sets off the fireworks for the fundraising early to avoid drawing any unwanted attention.
Damian makes short work of the hired guns and even Scarface himself, but he’s ambushed by The Quiet Man who beats him senseless as he goes to get his revenge. Robin, though barely conscious, pulls himself on the ground and tries to appeal to him. He recognizes the pain in Mercer because he sees it in his own father, both forged by losing family. He says that he knows Batman will die in this war against crime, but that doesn’t have to be the fate of the Quiet Man. He talks him down, but in letting their guard down, Scarface goes for one last blow, shooting at Robin, but The Quiet Man jumps in the way, shielding Damian from harm like he never got the chance to for his own son. Batman swoops in the scene to take down Scarface, but when Robin pleads for his help to manage Mercer’s wounds, Bruce lets the ventriloquist go and together they stop what could’ve been a massacre in front of Sacred Heart.
How Does Phillip Kennedy Johnson Handle Damian Wayne’s Character Growth?
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Phillip Kennedy Johnson is going to be missed. The writing in this issue shows care and attention being paid to its cast of characters, especially Damian who comes across far more mature in this series than the mainline Batman series by Matt Fraction. Having Damian swap from following in Ra’s al Ghul’s footsteps to going into medicine like Thomas Wayne is a brilliant move that focuses on the impact that Bruce has had on Damian’s journey. This issue also showcases his development and growth through the empathy he extends to The Quiet Man, showing understanding and diffusing the conflict with understanding and not violence.
Bruce is similarly well characterized. Coming off of recent years being fraught with bat-family conflict and Bruce not trusting his children, it’s almost refreshing to see a Bruce embrace the choices of Damian and even play second fiddle when the situation calls for it. Again, it’s a writing choice that embraces the growth of these characters as opposed to erasing it for another version of the same character arcs. The dynamic duo never feel truly at odds.
The Art Style of Fico Ossio and Marcelo Maiolo
By no means out done, Fico Ossio is an artist that makes these characters feel moody and badass without ever losing any emotional depth. Yet again I have to give props for making Damian look more his age than the mainline series, but even outside of small continuity details the work is stunning. The art has a sketch-like style to it but it never feels half done. It’s clean and intentional on every page. Splash pages are the stars of the show this issue, giving some truly iconic moments with the Dynamic duo.
The final page of the whole run is something you’ll be looking for on posters for years to come. The colors from Marcelo Maiolo deserve equal praise here. The use of lighting only elevates the dramatic lines by Ossio and Maiolo is not afraid to use more vibrant or less realistic color palettes to better set the tone for a panel or a scene. The letters by Steve Wands, while maybe not quite as standout, do have their moments especially towards the end as Damian writes in his journal. And though it may not be as flashy, it doesn’t need to be, especially when the art and writing are as impressive as they are.
Final Verdict: Is Batman and Robin #30 a Worthy Conclusion?
Of course this leads back to the million dollar question — is Batman and Robin #30 not just a good end to an arc but to the run and maybe the whole series? The answer is without a doubt. This may be the most forward moving we have seen either Bruce or Damian in some time. The last 17 issues brought two arcs with equal amounts of superhero crime fighting fun and emotional father-son stories that display these characters at their best. Though it is sad to see it end (it feels like it could’ve gone for another 17 issues) this finale is everything you’d want it to be. Here’s to hoping the next writers and artists that tackle their dynamic give it the same love, care, and expert level craft that PKJ and Fico Ossio did.
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‘Batman and Robin’ #30 Delivers a Heartfelt Finale to the Phillip Kennedy Johnson Era
Is Batman and Robin #30 not just a good end to an arc but to the run and maybe the whole series? The answer is without a doubt.
