Batman and Robin Eternal #15

By James Tynion IV, Scott Snyder, Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, Christian Duce, Gabe Eltaeb

“The Lockpick Kid strikes again.”

Hooray, the Lockpick Kid is back! (Apparently that’s Red Hood)

This week’s issue of Batman and Robin Eternal sees the return of both Red Hood and Red Robin to its pages (finally), and along with them comes plenty of humor and action. Scripting this week from the story by James Tynion IV and Scott Snyder is Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly. These two writers bring us into the secret city of St. Dumas as it appears Red Robin is selling out his BFF (or is it something else?). One of the funnier scenes from this issue comes after Red Robin hands over his pal Red Hood and Hood finds himself thrown into a giant hole, after which he says the line “I was trained by the world’s greatest escape artist! You think a hole can stop me?”, a metal lid shuts over the hole, enclosing him inside, “Alright, that’s trickier.”

A scene these two writers also do well gives us another look into a scene with Mother from several years ago as she’s talking to Scarecrow. In this scene Scarecrow gives a chilling depiction of what he thinks makes the Bat tick…and he’s spot on too. Seeing the Scarecrow show sanity while dangling himself (willingly) on the edge of the balcony certainly adds another disturbing layer to his character.

The artwork was handled by artist Christian Duce and colorist Gabe Eltaeb. These two create some great scenes, the best of the issue perhaps coming from a series of events happening on a two page spread that goes back and forth between what Red Hood is up to and what Red Robin is up to. Red Hood is tracking down information, punching a few people in the face – his usual bit, while Red Robin is taking on a super charged Azrael. The scenes go back and forth with the action perfectly as the colors blend well with Hood in a more gray setting and Robin in a blue one, and yet each character containing red in their appearances. Even their actions replicate each other as they both count down towards their plan taking effect. Someone really good must have trained these kids…

This week brought back favorites Red Hood and Red Robin while giving them scenes they can do their best work in. The writing duo of Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly brought the laughs along with room for artists Christian Duce and Gabe Eltaeb to depict the action. Something this issue does really well is give one of the most terrifying endings yet…Red Hood is in for some series nightmares…