Batman and Red Robin #19 In Denial?

 

Peter Tomasi and Pat Gleason follow up their masterwork that was Batman and Robin #18 with Batman and Red Robin #19 and it is a somewhat more muted affair.  

Yes, I am aware of the irony of calling a dialog heavy sequel to the totally wordless issue that was  number 18 "muted" but I do so because it lacked the depth of its predecessor.  Batman and Red Robin 19 is a different cat altogether and it threw its readership for a loop with the reintroduction of Carrie Kelley to the Batman universe.

I'll get to that later.  What I really wanted to focus on was Tomasi's deliberate follow up to 18 and how he was going to explore the five stages of grief as originally outlined by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross.

As noted by Wikipedia the stage of Denial can be explained as, "Conscious or unconscious refusal to accept facts, information, or the reality of the situation. Denial is a defense mechanism and some people can become locked in this stage."

I don't see Batman as "locked in this stage" because, A, Tomasi is going to move him through all 5 stages and B, Batman has to move on to "anger" because if Batman is anything it's angry!

The first glimpse of "Denial" we get from Batman is from his alter ego Bruce Wayne.  Wayne has sought out Carrie Kelly to pay off her fees as charged to Damien for what I can only assume are lessons in theater.  (Whether acting or history or both.)  Wayne is referring to Damien as if he is still alive which is classic denial and at this stage of grief almost reflexive.  Alfred (callously?) points this out to Wayne and he retorts with a sardonic thank you.  Wayne's rebuttal can also be seen a symptom of denial as it is a slap at his closet ally and friend, Alfred, and intended to sting.  Lashing out at ones closest to you keeps you from facing the truth they wish to impart.

Paying Carrie Kelly off is also a form of denial as Wayne intends to close that chapter that involved her and Damien.  Thus, he no longer has to deal with it.

From here I sensed that Tomasi drifted a little from the theme of denial and drifted into the second stage of "Anger" and added a touch of the third stage, "Bargaining".  Batman goes on a mad caper to capture "Agent of S.H.A.D.E." Frankenstein with the hopes of incorporating "Frankie's" insight and abilities of reanimation.  

 In doing so Batman is effectively admitting that his son is dead.  This is in contretemps to the stated definition of denial.  I suppose Tomasi is to be forgiven for this drift of thematic narrative.  I really don't know anything of his educational background nor would it be fair of labeling him a psychologist.  I'm only pointing out that if you are going to entitle your book, "In Denail" you'd be better served to sticking with that theme and plumb the depths of that particular issue.

 

In the above set of two frames we get Batman admitting Robin is dead ("Not for long") and denying it has any permanence when he recounts his own "death" and that of Superman's.  Again, a bit of a mixed message for the stated theme of denial by Tomasi but who said Batman was anything but complicated.

 

I suppose it fortunate that Batman isn't into full on "Anger" or he may well have dismantled Tim Drake.  Here we can make a case for a solid return to the denial theme.  If Batman had been in full use of his capabilities instead of being in the thrall of denial he would have anticipated all of Red Robins tactical moves.  Instead, the tables are turned on Batman as the former pupil outmaneuvered the master catching him when his judgement is clouded and his plans for a grisly re-animation are foiled.

 

While this issue doesn't measure up to the greatness that was issue 18 and I think it drifted from its stated theme, we still get a look at Batman while he begins his descent into grief.  "Anger" is the next step and we certainly got a glimpse at the rage that is engulfing Batman.  The next issues is to be entitled "Batman and Red Hood in Rage."  The Jason Todd character of Red Hood has visited death before and as a former protege of Batman this pairing should unearth some deeply buried resentments and sublimated issues that were never successfully resolved.  If that isn't a recipe for anger then nothing is.

As for the introduction of the Carrie Kelley character, the fictional non-canon character that is now inserted as a fictional canon character, so what!  I know it has the resolute fan-boys' knickers in  a twist but if it was intended as a publicity stunt it worked as the first printing of Batman and Robin #19 was completely sold out.

 Kelley will add a new dimension to world of Batman as she seems determined or at least the type to be determined to find out what happened to Damien.  A thorn in Batman's side is always good theater.

Next up:  Do you believe Batman and "A New Beginning?"