DC Comics and Batman Vs. Robin #3 Spoilers and Review follows.
Devil Nezha Fears His… Son… As Lazarus Planet Event Looms!
What To Expect:
BATMAN VS. ROBIN #3
Written by MARK WAID
Art and cover by MAHMUD ASRAR
Variant covers by ALEX MALEEV
and MATEUS MANHANINI
’90s variant cover by CARLO BARBERI
1:25 variant cover by MARIO “FOX” FOCCILLO
1:50 variant cover by TONY S. DANIEL
$5.99 US | 48 pages | 3 of 5 | $6.99 US (card stock)Batman has been on a breakneck journey throughout the DC Universe, from Wayne Manor to the House of Secrets and back again…but where there are clues there is a trail, and the world’s greatest detective has followed this particular trail back to where he and Superman began this journey: Lazarus Island. With an entire island and army at Damian Wayne’s disposal, does Batman stand a chance? We’ll give you a hint: NO!
In addition the main cover and solicitation above the title has a few variant covers below.
Spoilers and Review:
The issue opens with readers learning that the Devil Nezha is using a returned-from-the-dead Alfred Pennyworth to spy on Batman as others in the Bat Family are immobilized.
That has left a seemingly villainous Damian Wayne (Robin V), Batman’s son, having recruited, well magically manipulated, his Robin predecessors to help take out Batman for Nezha using mystical weapons:
- Stephanie Brown Spoiler (Robin IV) with Coup-Stick of Black Bison
- Tim Drake Robin III with the Cloak of Cagliostro
- Jason Todd Red Hood (Robin II) with the Trident of Poseidon
- Dick Grayson Nightwing (Robin I) with the Sword of Sin
As the Robins hunt down Batman on Lazarus Island, Damian Wayne tries to get his mother Talia Al Ghul to repent for her crimes of the past, the way her now deceased father and Damian Wayne’s Grandfather Ra’s Al Ghul tried, but it’s a tough dialogue which leaves her in a prison she was not aware she was in.
Back on Lazarus Island Batman takes out Tim Drake.
Looks like Mother Soul, Damian Wayne’s great grandmother, is using Black Alice to trap mystical heroes in the helmet of Doctor Fate for her ally the Devil Nezha.
After that, we learn that Nezha also has Zhu Bajie aka Pigsy from the Monkey Prince series as a new prisoner. They seem to have shared history with Monkey Prince #9 (in stores now) showing his capture here and here with Monkey Prince #10 (in stores on January 17, 2023) being a Batman vs. Robin tie-in. It also appears that Pigsy knows of Nezha’s son who is purported to be the villain behind the upcoming Lazarus Planet event (beginning in January 2023).
Back to the Island and Batman takes out Stephanie Brown and Jason Todd.
Elsewhere, Pigsy tells his captor Damian Wayne of Nezha’s son King Fire Bull and Nezha’s plan to enslave the world’s magic to use against his son.
Pigsy also tells Damian Wayne that the Lazarus Pit “juice” that Nezha has bathed in to make him long-lived and powerful is corrupting him which Nezha disagrees with violently.
Batman finally battles Dick Grayson and he uses Alfred Pennyworth to protect himself from the Sword of Sin which impales him allowing Batman to take out his first Robin.
Batman says that he knew Alfred Pennyworth was not who he claimed to be from the beginning.
The evil spirit departs Pennyworth leaving Batman and his father-figure alone.
That leaves the remnants of Alfred Pennyworth’s soul, the real one, to have one final conversation with Bruce Wayne.
It’s an emotional discussion one of forgiveness and love before Alfred Pennyworth dissipates.
The book ends with battered Batman heading deeper into the Island heading for his son Damian Wayne and the Devil Nezha.
Next Up:
The story continues in Batman vs. Robin #4 (of 5).
BATMAN VS. ROBIN #4
Written by MARK WAID
Art and cover by MAHMUD ASRAR
Variant covers by SIMONE DI MEO and SWEENEY BOO
1:25 variant cover by JOHN GIANG
1:50 variant cover by TONY HARRIS
$5.99 US | 48 pages | 4 of 5 | Variant $6.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 12/20/22As the final battle erupts between Batman and Robin at the heart of Lazarus Island, a strange tremor rocks the combatants to their senses…This isn’t an island at all—it’s a volcano! With the Devil Nezha pulling the strings and unbelievable transformative power about to explode out into the world, our heroes have no choice but to do the unthinkable—fall back! A battle between father and son goes global as the Earth enters into the Lazarus Planet…
Batman vs. Robin #4 is in stores on December 20, 2022.
The Pulse:
An action-packed issue with lots of intrigue and emotional moments. Solid art. Intrigued by the teases of Batman wearing Doctor Fate’s helmet. 8 out of 10.
