Batman and Robin #3

 This continues to be one of the top five ongoings as a result of the "New 52." Tomasi seems born to write Batman (his past as a Batman editor obviously helps him here), and while Patrick Gleason's pencils vary in quality (A+ on one page, lackluster on the next), together they create very fine books. It's really a shame they only got one story of Dick and & Damian, surrendering arcs to Winick (although that story was decent, good writing with up and down art) and Paul Cornell (god was that terrible).

Last issue introduced to the reader two new characters, Morgan -- who works for Henri Ducard, and Damian's new dog, who better be named Ace or I'm just going to get so annoyed. These characters both play a big role in this comic, as Damian struggles to understand the value of a dog (I guess not every 11 year old really wants a dog, maybe Damian would prefer cats? His dad certainly has an affinity for them).

Bruce is going out on patrol alone in fear for Damian over Morgan's presence in Gotham. Of course Damian doesn't like this, as he lives to play "superhero." Being stuck in the Batcave isn't exactly his ideal situation. So of course he defied his father's orders and heads out on his own. And of course, whenever Damian acts out on his own, he of course gets himself in trouble.

Bruce and Damian's relationship as portrayed by Grant Morrison was often one of anger, frustration, jealousy, and disinterest on Bruce's side. But Peter J. Tomasi portrays a Bruce that has turned a corner, and is trying to make his relationship with Damian work. He's trying to bring Damian into his life, and become his family, something Damian has very little of. Dick's his big brother, but he's never really had a father, he barely knows his mother, still considers Alfred more butler than family. Tomasi shows Bruce making an effort to build family for him, which is a great new addition to their dynamic.

What I enjoyed: This is truly Damian's issue, where the readers continue to look at his psyche, trying to figure out how much of Damian is hero, and how much of it is him taking his anger out in a way that his father approves of. Is Damian really interested in saving the world and protecting Gotham, or is he just interested in beating the crap out of people?

What I didn't: Bruce and Damian seem to get too easily captured by Nobody, but overall, that's fine I suppose, how they get captured isn't incredibly relevant to the story.

Conclusion: Great story, I'm super excited about how Bruce and Damian will inevitably defeat "Nobody" and how Damian's personality evolves. 8.8/10 (B+).