Rating: ***

The conclusion to “Batman: Battle for the Cowl” is here. I enjoyed the two previous issues of “Battle for the Cowl” immensely, but for some reason this issue left me wanting more. I’m not sure what else I wanted or expected from this issue, but the issue was a bit of let down. This is of course the storyline which names the new man to take over the role of Batman. For months now we have all assumed that the man who takes over is Dick Grayson aka Nightwing the first Robin and that the new Robin will be Damian Wayne Bruce Wayne’s illegitimate son. At the end of the issue, everything seems to be revealed as far as who’s the new dynamic duo. Who are they and what did we see in this issue? Lets find out!

The big cliffhanger at the end of the last issue was Jason Todd possibly mortally wounding Tim Drake in battle. Well, obviously Tim isn’t dead as he was wearing a kevlar Bat-suit that protected him. Dick Grayson locates Tim and Jason and they begin fighting. Their battle is the main focus of the issue as Dick is reaching out to Jason to try and bring him back into the fold as a member of the “family” again. We see the video message that Bruce recorded for Jason in preparation for his death and he wishes that Jason would see a doctor that he knows in order to help him emotionally deal with all of trauma he’s experienced in lhis life - Jason refuses of course. In typical comic book/Saturday movie serial fashion, the two battle until Jason is left dangling off the side of cliff over a body of water. Dick reaches out to him one more time to take his hand. Jason refuses and seemingly falls to his death saying that they will see each other soon.

One of the things I didn’t understand over the past few months was Dick Grayson feeling that he was not worthy to assume the mantle of Batman. Well it’s explained that in the message he received from Bruce after his death, Bruce did not wish Dick to become Batman. He felt Gotham would be fine in the hands of him as Nightwing and Tim as Robin. I’m not sure if I believe that is something Bruce would really want. Bruce understood the power that he created with the image and reputation of the Batman and it would seem that in order to keep that fear in the criminal underworld alive, someone would have to continue as Batman. However, I’m not the author of the story and this is just my opinion.

Also in this issue we see Damian Wayne rescuing Tim. Damian along with Squire, track down Tim as well and rescue him before he falls to his death. I hated Damian when he first premiered, but this issue has helped win me over a bit on his character. I think it will be interesting seeing this kid mature as he comes under the tutelage of the various members of the Bat-family. In the meantime, it will be interesting seeing a Robin who’s a bit of a jerk. So does that mean Damian is the new Robin? I would think so; by the end of the issue I think it’s safe to say he’s the new Robin.  But who is the new Batman? It’s Dick of course. They don’t necessarily show his face as he puts on the cowl, but the narration and the fact that Alfred is present as he puts on the cowl can only mean that it’s Dick.

I’m still not crazy that Bruce is gone, but in the meantime, I hope DC puts out some interesting stories with Dick and Damian as the new Dynamic Duo. The issue does leave one plotline open as a case for the new Batman and Robin to take on and that is the Black Mask or should I say the new Black Mask. The Black Mask has taken Gotham down and it seems that the person who was the Black Mask, may not be the person calling himself the Black Mask right now. Who is it? A new character or is it someone we’ve seen before?

I’m sure Jason will return at some point to battle the new Batman and it’s safe to say that Tim will be the new Red Robin and from what we know from advance solicitations, he does not believe Bruce is dead and he goes out in search of him. Next month starts the whole new adventure. See you then!