Batman and Robin (2011-2015) Vol. 1: Born To Kill (Batman & Robin Volumes)

This is possibly the most narrowly focused of DC's New 52 collected editions (of those that I've read which is well over half those released), with a single story spanning the 8 issues collected here. The question raised is this: Is Damien Wayne more influenced by his upbringing to be an assassin or by his new father who refuses to kill under any circumstances?For those of you unfamiliar with the background, Damien is the fourth Robin, son of Bruce Wayne following a liaison with Talia al Gul daughter of R'as al Gul leader of the League of Assassins, who has been trained from the age of 3 till 10 to be a brutal killer. Bruce/Batman is not only trying to raise a son he'd never met but perhaps more importantly turn him away from the Dark Side (sorry).In this graphic novel (and given its length and focus it is a graphic novel and not a collection of comics), right up front is the relationship between the two characters. It starts in one place and ends up in another. There are effectively only three characters in the story (discounting Alfred and bit-players), the other being an old enemy of Batman's (whom we've never met before but we do get flashbacks from Bruce's past) who wants Robin to become a vigilante killer like himself and who also may be Batman's equal in fighting skill.The art, while quite effective, is a little too smooth and rounded. I find Batman works better with a more rough-edged approach.I'm being generous with the rating by half a star but this is still another more than solid addition to DC's New 52 continuity revamp.

I've never been a massive Robin fan and have not actively sort out books that bring him in to focus, however, ever since Damian turned up I have been really intrigued by the dynamic of father and son. Yes this book has great artwork, a great script and a fantastic new villain, but is the emotional journey that really holds its own. Watching Batman struggle and fail is such a rare thing that to see him unable to reach Damian who is in such turmoil is amazingly refreshing.Ultimately this is a story about a parent who is desperate to do their best for their child, and a child who is unsure and confused as he is growing up and circumstances are changing. It is possible, considering I was raised by a single dad and have recently just become a dad, that this is one of the most relatable books I have read. Not since Spider-Man have we seen such a relatable and tortured teen desperately trying to find their way.This could shape up to be a magnificent series.

Not killing a plot line on this... can most definitely say the graphics are amazing... the art is first class the storyline is brilliant... all in the Style of a new 52..... what more can anybody ask for....If you don't get any of this series you are missing some very good entertaining Reading and it's Batman....... who doesn't want to read about Batman ?

Not as fantastic as it was billed to be. I'd read a lot of reviews saying this was the series to follow and whilst it's quite good it wasn't amazing by any stretch of the imagination.It gave me a good insight into the current relationship between Batman and the new Robin, his son Damian but if it was meant to cut deep or bring out a lot of emotions it certainly fell rather short for me.The best part of the whole volume is definitely the history and backstory of Nobody. That was something to get excited about.I'll follow the series to see how it progresses.

Batman & Robin: Born To Kill explores some of the most interesting ideas and concepts in the Batman chronology to date. With Damien Wayne taking up the Robin mantle and Bruce Wayne returning as the Dark Knight, the father-and-son-crime-fighting-duo take on their biggest hurdle to date - each other.With Damien's place as son of the original Batman and daughter to the heir of the League of Shadows, he is torn between the two worlds and two opposing moral standpoints; the hard-line "code" of his father to never take a life, and the murderous yet seemingly logical word of his Mother and the League, whilst also finding his place as the fourth Robin and within Bruce, Alfred and the rest of the Wayne family's lives.Will Damien learn his place and accept himself as his father's son, or will his past as a League assassin and his allegiance to his Mother shape his fate?....

Wasn't sure if I was going to like this as I never really liked Damian Wayne as a character. But this is the New 52 and some subtle changes have been made and WOW, this book is great. The struggle of fatherhood for Bruce, Damian's tough upbringing by the League of Shadows and their conflicting ideologies on life make this a great read where Alfred plays an important role in both their lives. Of course there is also a villain that needs dealing with but this new villain, known as Nobody, also plays an important part in the relationship between Damian and Bruce. This might possibly be Peter J. Tomasi's best piece of work.

After the readers of various New 52 arcs found themselves in the post Batman Incorporated mess, this series showed definite potential of reviving the classic saga-s, with a fresh father-son duo. I was especially enamored by the dialogues and action of the new Robin. The stories are also quite good. Alas, as we all know now, it all came to grief later. But let's enjoy the sunshine (er, night I mean) as long as it lasts.

Ever since Grant Morrison introduced the character I have disliked Damien, this arc has changed my mind entirely.While he established himself with the Dick Grayson Batman Damien really needed his father to actually explore the characters issues. Damien is still petulant and annoyingly defiant but at least we have now looked into why with a bit more depth.This book also addressed my thought that being a real father should change Batman. It's nice to see that Bruce at least wants to walk away from crime fighting to care for his boy, even if circumstances won't let him.