There are definitely important reveals in this issue but, as always, Morison only plays a few of the cards in his hand. There is still plenty of mystery and intrigue to anticipate in the coming issues, including the arrival of El Penitente in Gotham City. I wouldn't miss it if I were you. Read Full Review

While the Batman vs. Robin story seemed like a forced conclusion, the Domino Killer, Black Glove, Joker, and Return of Bruce Wayne story points work and work well - even if there are five different stories going on in this issue. A lot of mystery, some big reveals, and well told story send this issue of Batman and Robin to the top of my favorite list for the week, earning 4.5 out of 5 Stars. Read Full Review

For years, Batman has been a hit-and-miss comic for me. Sometimes good, sometimes dull. Right now, in this series, it's very good. Read Full Review

With "Batman and Robin" #12, I suspect a lot of this book's audience is going to drag out their Morrison Bat-book runs to date and re-read them to see just how many of these moments were telegraphed over the last several years. I actually feel bad for anyone who's only reading "Batman and Robin" in a collected format; they're going to have to wait at least six months after getting to this cliffhanger to see what happens next. The rest of us? It looks like we're in for the ride of our lives. "Batman and Robin" is a perfect example of how to make reading a monthly comic an absolutely necessary event. Read Full Review

All of that aside, there are some moments of genuine character development and plot progression. Dustin Nguyen and Scott Hanna also lend the newcomer Andy Clarke a hand in this issue and really improve upon the past two issues' somewhat amateurish artwork. This little diversion may not have been as visionary as Morrison's previous work on the series, but it's not horrible by any stretch of the imagination. Let's hope Grant hits the next few issues of the series out of the park. I, for one, am very interested to see what comes next as Joker becomes reincorporated into the stew, Thomas Wayne, most likely the disenfranchised former leader of the Black Glove, reemerges, and the Penitente makes his ominous return to Gotham. Read Full Review

I dont doubt that Ill be extremely enthused about Bruce Waynes return once his own mini-series gets started, and we can see it run alongside Batman and Robin, with the story of each book informing the other. And Im on tenterhooks for the next issue after the final page of this one, as I cant wait to see where the chapters climactic story development leads. But somehow, as a single issue, theres too much going on here for any of the books concurrent plotlines to establish themselves as anything truly special. Despite being the final chapter of the final arc of Batman and Robins first year, theres a real sense that issue #12 is merely a prelude, and that the real meat of Morrisons overarching Bat-saga is yet to come. Read Full Review

Batman and Robin #12 was a fun read and definitely was the best issue of Batman and Robin since issue #3. While the issue had its share of problems Morrison finally delivered an entertaining read. With Dr. Hurts return and Joker reappearing things should get much more interesting with the next story arc. Hopefully now that we are entering the big Return of Bruce Wayne story Morrison is able to maintain this consistency, which he hasnt been able to do since Batman RIP ended. If you have been enjoying Morrisons work on Batman and Robin than you are sure to enjoy this issue as Morrison brought his A-game for this issue and 3-part overall. Read Full Review

For every big step forward that this issue takes, it takes an equally big step back, which has become the norm for this title. There is a lot about this issue that I really like, as it features some of my favorite moments from the entire series thus far and hints at the complex genius from his early work that Morrison has built his reputation on. Unfortunately, the lack of polish and, at times, downright lazy approach to plotting mucks up everything positive about the issue. I've said it before and I'll continue to repeat it until the issue is resolved, Grant Morrison needs to go back to basics and focus on the mechanics of telling a good story. Once he gets back into the hang of that, then he can go for the "genius" moments and absurd twists. Read Full Review

This is the second middling grade in a row I've given Batman and Robin. I'm not sure what's happening. Morrison has got all the ingredients of something great, but the plotting and art just aren't firing on all cylinders. All those who inevitably are going to disagree with me are welcome to throw more tomatoes…. Read Full Review

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm sure all of you Grant Morrison apologists will try to tell me that Grant is a genius, and that this comic was brilliant, but to me this was just a bunch of random scenes that made little sense. Add that to the atrocious dialogue, and yeah, this was one BAD comic. Read Full Review