Welcome to an all-new edition of Parlay Points, the comic book review blog to the ODPH Podcast!
For this entry, we’re heading back to Gotham City High School! Last time we saw the father and son duo of Bruce and Damian Wayne, they were closing in on leads involving the newest bat rogue: Shush. The search has led Damian to enroll in High school and Brice being a supportive parent. All the while, there appears to be another threat lurking in the shadows.
BATMAN AND ROBIN #6 by Joshua Williamson, Nikola Čižmešija, Rex Lokus and Steve Wands jumps in to see about last issue’s shocking conclusion. Let’s tag along and see how things play out from here.
BATMAN AND ROBIN #6 by Joshua Williamson, Nikola Čižmešija, Rex Lokus and Steve Wands (DC COMICS - Cover: Simone Di Meo)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
The story opens up with Damian walking readers through their latest observations. A student named Zach has drawn their attention. Watching him be a normal kid in school is one thing. Watching him outside of work is a whole different story.
Zach has become connected to Victor Zsasz. Zsasz is a serial killer notorious for carving in dashes on his own body for his kills. Zach believes Zsasz is his father.
Batman and Robin have had their eyes on Zsasz as he is up for an appeal at the courts. As the pair watches Zsasz be led into the courthouse, an explosion happens. From the smoke emerges a surprise masked figure.
With an escape attempt in full swing, the dynamic duo crash the party. How does Zsasz and his ‘son” fare?
Readers see a great mix of action and “family” drama play out. Its’ fallout leads to their original case at hand. On the way, the pair share a moment that is long overdue. Considering how the past few months have been, it is a sight that has been sorely needed.
The final act shifts events into a new direction. Can the pair solve the latest roadblock? If the closing page is any indication, they look to have some unlikely help from Damian’s past. Get ready as the series drops another great chapter.
BATMAN AND ROBIN #6 by Joshua Williamson, Nikola Čižmešija, Rex Lokus and Steve Wands (DC COMICS - Cover: Kael Ngu)
Williamson gives readers another fun mix of family drama and action. The story with Zach and Zsasz was a solid twist and companion piece to the Shush storyline. The interaction between “father and son” played out as predicted, but worked for a great segway.
Once the story heads back on its’ original path, Williamson ties in some excellent non-hero moments. With how strained Bruce and Damian have been, the writing shows the series’ strength with these segments. Readers will have their emotions pulled at with this break point. Following that, the final act presents a solid build for next issue and how THAT character will play into the case.
Čižmešija and Lokus finish out their stint on B&R with a high note. The full page visual of Zsasz makes a big first impression. This leads into some great action panels. The two page spread with Batman and Robin entering the escape attempt will be a huge win with readers.
The emotions run high for “both” father and sons during the chapter as well. The Wayne conversation is lead in with another great two page spread with an insight to Damian. The following panels pour out the honest reactions of Bruce. It’s these types of moments that make this series such a hit. The closing panel welcomes the returning character to the story in grand fashion. The full page image is upstaged by a smaller panel of Batman’s reaction. It’s a solid way to end this chapter and lead right into the next phase of “shush”.
BATMAN AND ROBIN #6 by Joshua Williamson, Nikola Čižmešija, Rex Lokus and Steve Wands (DC COMICS - Cover: Nikola Čižmešija)
FINAL POINT: 9
The mystery of Shush gets overtaken by the emotional family dynamic of Gotham’s most famous family. Superb writing by Williamson guides the pair through an unlikely confrontation. Čižmešija and Lokus construct the powerful bond of father and son with imagery that doesn’t miss. Make sure to check this one out on NCBD!
Hit me up on ODPHpod social media and let me know your thoughts on Batman and Robin #6. Thanks for reading!