My favorite aspect of the Batman Reborn Universe is that pretty much every issue that’s come out has been a stand alone issue.  Didn’t read RIP?  That’s ok.  Haven’t picked up Batman since the mid-90’s?  You’ll be fine.   It’s just a Batman story.

Between each issue of Winick’s Batman, I’ve completely forgotten what it’s about.  I can recall pretty much every panel of Morrisn’s Batman & Robin, and Rucka’s Detective, but Winick’s Batman?  Nope.  And while that sounds like a condemnation, it’s not.  I’m enjoying each issue.  But, unlike the other stories, I’m enjoying them as a series of one-shots, as opposed to enjoying them as a story arc.  Yes, there’s a story arc here, but you can jump on at any point and not be hampered by missing the last issue.  IN that way, it’s very reminiscent of Dini’s Detective run.

In this issue, I was five issues in before I remembered that this wasn’t Bruce Wayne behind the cowl, but Dick Grayson.  And I count that as a plus.  Yes, there is still quite a learning curve for Grayson as Batman, but no, we don’t need to start every issue with who’s behind the cowk.  The cowl is the real protagonist in the Batman mythos.  Who’s behind it really should be a secondary to what the cowl itself stands for.  Winick understands that, and isplaying his series as Batman first, Grayson second.

In addition to being a stand-out, stand alone issue, this also has an appearance that was sorely missing in Battle For The Cowl.  And best use of Batman Cave prop in as long as I can remember (sorry Mr. Gaiman, “goodnight Giant Penny” didn’t really do it for me).