It’s hard being the one and only son of the Batman. In the first month since the events of Merry Little Batman, Damian has struggled with work/life balance. Especially considering how useless he considers his secret identity to be. Now, with his father kidnapped by Scarecrow, Little Batman must use both sides of himself to save the day. Still, is this Gotham really in danger if a child is the only hope? Let’s discuss the finale below!
Pulling The Rug
Morgan Evans has created a quaint vision of Gotham City. A city torn away from darkness and adopting the look and tone of 101 Dalmatians or Amelia Bedelia. Not to mention, the inclusion of all of the heartwarming childlike colored pencil drawings at the end of each story. Moreover, the covers even incorporate cute homages to classic Batman stories. This issue in particular borrows Chris Gardner’s logo and the style of the Loeb books. Just in time for H2H, I might add. In any case, after putting a tween in a holding cell, Evans frees his protagonist with a new worrying twist. Although, like most everything else, this only amounts in more amusing hijinks.
Despite the cluelessness of releasing a child to a guardian not on his contact list, the GCPD remits Damian to his babysitter’s custody. Unfortunately for Damian, “Marrion the Babysitter” drops the act and reveals her true intentions. At first, she’s genuinely fed up with Damian’s antics, but only from being a childish nuisance. Seeing his opportunity to take advantage of her ignorance of his secret identity, Damian utilizes his adolescent appearance. Namely, our hero whines and cries about needing to “potty.” Hilariously, this ends up tricking the villain and helps him sneak away.
A Little Batman, Too Late
As soon as Damian escapes, he’s back on the hunt for Batman, deciding to infiltrate the evil warehouse the corrupt police have frequented for deliveries. In spite of being a trap, the very tiny Little Batman brutally manhandles Scarecrows henchmen. Personally, the silly juxtaposition of the Scarecrow’s menacing orange thugs being afraid of a child in a mask is enjoyable. Especially all the gnarly panels of Little Batman strangling henchmen with telephone cords. Anyway, Bruce instantly recognizes Damian moving through the vents. Considering how long he pretends to go along with the kidnapping, he shouldn’t act so surprised that his superhero son has come to the rescue.
As promised, Scarecrow and Penguin ambush Little Batman as soon as he enters the room in a shockingly darker beatdown, and subsequent brainwashing, than expected. Yet, it is weird that this world’s fear toxin has slight mind control elements in the first place. At any rate, this beatdown frightens Bruce, but is simply a result of exposure to the fear toxin. In reality, Damian rises to the occasion, echoing the resolute ending of the feature film. By the time the incompetent babysitter comes to the villain’s aid dressed as Chuck Dixon’s Lynx, it’s all over. Similarly, Alfred solves the mystery mere moments before the duo arrive home. Nevertheless, the way Evans handles Lynx and Scarecrow’s henchmen was more funny than it needed to be.
Recommended If…
- You’re a fan of Merry Little Batman.
- Desperately needing a lighthearted comic to read.
- You’ve ever wanted to see a version of Damian without the trauma.
Overall
Just like the feature film, the villains are the weak link in the story. More often than not, the antagonists are morons whose actions are villainous, but undercut for laughs. I enjoyed Luke Wilson’s version of Bruce in the film, and tend to hear his calming voice when reading the character’s dialogue in Month One, but he’s an ineffective Batman. Rather, the nonplussed attitude the character takes makes him complicit in what happens to his son in both incarnations. Ultimately, Damian’s lesson of learning to appreciate what little childhood he can is a great message to leave on. Considering this series is for children, Evans implying that systemic issues like corruption won’t resolve in one issue is a fairly mature choice. Overall, the series is a blast, and I wouldn’t mind reading another mini set in this world, if not only to get more Timothy Business jokes.
Score: 7.5/10
DC Comics have provided advance copies of books for review.
English (US) · 