I was so excited I got to read this before I watched the season premire of Arrow (I have to wait on Hulu). This issue not only did a thorough job of filling in what is going on, it looked awesome doing it. Between the writing and the art I could not really decide which was better, but I will say I could not have asked for more from the 1st issue. I cannot wait to see what is coming up next in "The Church of Blood".

" Tomasi has a vision for the future of Robin and he is doing it the right way in my opinion. He gives enough information to keep you interested and the art finished the job and keeps you coming back. The secondary storylines with Alfred and the Batfamily coming to rescue Bruce is an interesting way to go and it is almost as good as the main story with Bruce on Apokolips, think about it a family that has been betrayed still will to save their mentor. It shows the families strength and resilience.

Overall the Robin Rises arc is working on so many different levels, and I personally cannot wait to see what happens after Damian or whatever he is will be is revived. Poor Bruce is going to need some serious lotion to get rid of that dry skin and this is going to be a turning point for the Bat-family. Either they will learn to work together perfectly or Bruce might lose one of his other "Soldiers," I am not sure how that would work, but it would an interesting twist.

I am not saying this was the worst Batman and Robin issue, but it was close. The cover was what really stole the show and didn't even have to try. I just want to leave it at that, I am just frustrated now thanks DC.

There is not really much more to say, go buy it and read this issue, I am 90% sure you will like it (not everyone is a Deathstroke fan, it's OK I am hunting them). Serious though, you will want to be part of this universe changing issue, what Tony Daniel has planned must be epic for this to be issue #1. I will be picking up the rest of the arc at least to see how and why Slade was rebooted so to speak. Man I really thought Possum was going to be joke of a villain and he ended up dominating Slade for a good bit, even had a solid plan to take him out until it failed horribly. This series showed a lot of potential with its dbut issue, and if it keeps following the path it is on it will be something big.

The Art is what saved this issue, DC if you are putting on some kind of Universe changing event have all the writers on board first. The story was scored low simply because it was not a story that did anything for me, it add no value to the universe. If this issue didn't happen nothing would be different. I need to feel some kind of connection to the story and I did not. I thought the story was more geared towards Harley's Jokerverse not DC's normal Futures End arc that is happening now.

I like the break from all action and I felt like this was more a background into what is coming in the Futures End Series (Which I may do an up to date review, what would our readers like?) I can not wait to see what Batman and Superman have on Lex, can they make the charges stick this time. After seeing the Anti-Monitor had finally discovered the beacon in the issue before and now SPOILER*** Owlman is working with Lex Luthor, it seems to me DC is working on something bigger than I thought. What other series will be involved and who will cross the dimensional barrier next? I will be finding out next month, will you?

My only complaint"when is the Justice League going to just kick Lex off the team? When do you draw the line? Oh maybe after he was found to be hiding a now released unknown toxic gas that no one knows about or what harm it could do, should you do it now? Seriously, guys!

Finally a true Futures End issue that pushes the arc forward. I am so excited to read this and next weeks issue of Futures End now after reading this issue. This is how a 1 shot tie-in should be done, give some big information and at the same time keep you reader guessing. I personally think DC has a home run with this Series of Futures End, and I am going to be willingly giving my money every week to readit.

Overall I really liked the story and loved the art, but it was off-putting that DC could think it could push back issues for as long as they did. Superman Unchained was a good story and had it been left alone to the timeline it might have been great.

- I look forward to the next issue, I will see how the 2nd one goes and maybe add it to my regular rotation. So far it's a great story with powerful creatures and big battles, not to mention how great it looks. This issue overall is just a great start to a new series and makes me excited for what is to come for our latestaddition to the DC New 52 universe.