I think Cornell would really succeed at writing a stand-alone Damien comic, but one issue to Batman & Robin – I’m left with a bit to be desired.

Now, Morrison’s 16 issue run on the title was masterful most of the time, but it was terribly awkward for most but the most dedicated and die-hard Morrison fans quite often as well. Cornell is sort of Morrison-light in my (and many other’s) eyes, and this issue proves that point a bit.

It’s got a pretty high concept and some unique character development (on the part of the villains), there is decent bickering between Dick and Damien, but too often it gets a little too silly and the dialogue is a little too quick-witted. I’m all for this being the “comedy” title of the the Bat books, but there is just a certain way to do it. Cornell even points to this in the dialogue when Damien calls Dick out on it, but it’s a little to cutesy, a little too much Bendis-y.

I still like Cornell, but he works best with truly Bratty characters. I think Action Comics is one of the best things on the stands right now, and it’s clear that it’s a little more difficult to write this version of Batman & Robin (not to mention the hugely successful act preceding his take).  It’s not a bad issue and I actually like the story as it goes, but it still needs some fine-tuning.

And the art is goofy in a lot of spots too.