Noteworthy Issues: Batman Vs Robin #2 (October, 2022)

The first issue to this mini-series ended with the reveal of who the villains were.  One I recognized.  The other one gets explained here as Batman makes a house call.

Issue:  Batman vs Robin #2, October 2022

Writer:  Mark Waid

Artist:  Mahmud Asrar

The Plot:  Batman learns what happened to Robin.

Commentary:  The first issue ended with the reveal that the Devil Nezha, a powerful magician with the ability to possess others, was behind much of what was going on here.  But he had help in the form of a character named Mother Soul.  Her I didn’t recognize and assumed, incorrectly, that she was a new character.  In fact, she has a history with Damien Wayne, and is in fact Ra’s al-Ghul’s mother.

So, as various mystic villains gather artifacts for Nezha and Mother Soul, all while Black Alice is tortured to get what Nezha wants from the likes of Fate’s helmet, Eclipso’s diamond, and Ragman’s suit, it does seem that Damien’s newfound magical powers are the result of Nezha’s possession and subordination of the young man who was out doing adventures on his own after a falling out with Bruce.

Damien is, what, 13 at most?  That kid probably deserves a firmer hand or something.

Be that as it may, this issue has Batman basically learn what happened by visiting the House of Secrets, the House of Mystery, and interacting with the likes of Cain, Abel, and the Mad Mod Witch with Alfred in tow.  Learning of Nezha’s involvement tells Bruce he needs to have Clark sit this one out since a possessed Superman doesn’t do anyone any good.  But here, the story provides the reader with the necessary backstory to get what’s happening here and that’s a good thing in my book.

I mean, it even explains in a last page reveal how Alfred is back from the dead even as more and more of the things happening are making this quite the formidable problem for Bruce.  It’s big and bad and will challenge Batman in ways many stories don’t.  He’s dealing with magic while not having any of his own.  This could get bad.

You know, for the characters.  Not for the reader.

Grade:  A-