"Batman: Black Mirror" A Decent Collection of Dick Grayson Batman

    Yes I am reading more Batman comics, but can you really blame me? I mean I don't know how many more Dick Grayson as Batman stories exist, but I would say this one's pretty good. Do I think it's an essential collection of Batman stories? Definitely not, it's very small, self-contained, and if you don't like the Jim, Barbara or James Gordon. Even still, I would say both the art style and the story take a decidedly darker tone for the better, so if that's something that interests you I would say give this comic a shot. Let's talk about it.

    While it is around 200 pages, I don't have much to say about this story, I don't know if I'll write as much for this review as I typically do. I do like that Scott Snyder really dives into the differences between Bruce and Dick for this comic. While I liked Grant Morrison's version of Dick as Batman, so much of it was spent with other members of the batfamily as they were also finally introducing Damian as the new Robin. Not to mention at the same time you kind of had a feeling that Bruce was just this heavy shadow looming over everything. 

    Instead, this comic hardly even mentions Bruce outside of the beginning. Instead it focuses on Dick just being uncomfortable with the new mantle, and sort of the lessons he took from his own upbringing which was different growing up in a traveling circus and how that affects him. In addition, the only other character he interacts with is Oracle, who obviously was the former Batgirl but there's no Damian, and you only really get glimpses of Tim so it's a bit refreshing to get what is basically a true, solo run.

    In terms of the actual mini arcs featured in this collection I thought The Black Mirror was kind of whatever. While the concept of this secret underground collection of rich people selling old villain gear is interesting, they don't really do much with it afterwards. The main villain just kind of escapes as it transitions to the next stories. Hungry City was better, I thought the whole blind woman using Batman to take down her enemies, even if they're evil was something cool to play around with since Dick is new in his role of Batman. Skeleton Cases was definitely by far the best arc though. I'm not even that big of a fan of James Gordon, I don't recall too many stories with him but the idea about being able t change and trying to trust family again was well done.

Final Score: 70/100

    If you're looking for some more Dick Grayson Batman, which I was, I would give this collection a shot. It won't change your life, but you know it's some solid Batman. I don't know what's next. After Grant Morrison's Batman run I read some of the Robin Requiem stuff and the Damian returns comics, but frankly those are pretty forgettable. Especially the explanation for how they brought back Damian. I guess him having superpowers for a little bit after his revival was novel for a little but, but considering how messy the entire ordeal involving the New 52 and continuity is, it just feels like a bit of a reset so that they could move forward with him and Bruce.

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