Batman and Robin Vol. 1: Memento

Batman and Robin (2023) (Collected Editions)

by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Juan Ferreyra (illustrator)

Gotham City is no stranger to the strange and unusual, but a cult that worships Man-Bat is certainly a new one for the Dynamic Duo!

Plus, Shush continues her quiet reign of terror and horror as both Batman and Robin chase after her. But when a familiar face from Damian's past returns, will he be able to keep his mind on the mission? All this while Damian struggles to keep his public persona as a high school student up -- a big ask for a boy who was raised by the League of Assassins! And what's this about a possible getaway to Dinosaur Island?!

Collects Batman and Robin #14-19

Genres: Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Comics, Batman, Graphic Novels Comics

160 pages, Paperback

First published July 8, 2025

About the author

Phillip Kennedy Johnson earned a Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas, where he served as Teaching Fellow for the Department of Jazz Studies, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Eastern Kentucky University. SFC Johnson has performed with the Lexington Philharmonic, Dallas Opera, Washington Symphonic Brass, and the Moscow Ballet, and was a member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra from 2004 to 2005. SFC Johnson remains active as a composer, arranger, teacher, and clinician, and also enjoys a second career as a writer of comics and graphic novels. His work has been published by DC Comics, Marvel Comics, BOOM! Studios, and more.

Reviews

[Khurram · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to rate this book 4.5 stars, I like the story, the artwork is great, I characters are done well there is just something missing. I can't put my finger on it.

Memento is a legend of serial killers. He has his own following, but he died in prison decades earlier. However, it seems he is back or is it a copycat? What is his connection to Batman and a young Bruce Wayne?

This is the first book that is a real reminder of how young Damian actually is. Usually, his attitude and arrogance make him dislikable to me. Here I actually feel sorry for him and what he goes through in both his roles as Damian Wayne and Robin.

Can Robin take the lead with Batman compromised? Even if compromised will Batman let him? Can they work together to solve the case or will too many issues and doubts split them apart?

[Doesjka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Batman I've read in years

[Anna Quilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on another killer stalking Gotham...but it also has some different insights on Damien and the father/ son that is Batman / Robin.
This story is to be continued in next volume.

[Petra · Rating 4 out of 5]

really good!

much much better than the previous dawn of dc volumes, though it kinda bothers me how damian is drawn either looking like a little kid or like a young adult. i have no idea how old he's supposed to be lol

i actually didn't know jason would show up on #18, so that was a pleasant surprise. i even liked his characterization, which doesn't happen a lot lol. and him defending damian! they're brothers, your honor 🥹

also lucy the monkey is very cute! i love damian taking in strays <3 like father, like son

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is exceptionally well-written, there are a lot of things to like about it, but i immediately find myself missing the way williamson wrote damian.

[Will Robinson Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

FANTASTIC!!! DC comics is firing on all cylinders right now with some of the best series in superhero comics. I had been hearing how great Phillip Kennedy Johnson's run was on Batman & Robin and I have to say this was some of the best Batman storytelling we've gotten in some time. Everything just works here from the mystery of our murderous villain, Memento, to Damian's inner turmoil of his choice to be "Robin" and Bruce coming to grips with th of lose his son. Johnson has a real grasp on the characters and is treading into new territory with Damian. Damian Wayne has always been a hard character to write as many writers have kept him stuck in an endless cycle of just being s snot-nose bratty kid. Tomasi, in his Super Sons series gave us a Damian with more depth. This was due to the innocence of Jon Kent aka Superboy. If this series came out after that initial Super Sons run, it would fit perfectly. In this book we get a Damian that has a drive to grow beyond his assassin programming. He is eager to learn more about his family and more than anything gain his father's trust. At its core this story is about letting go of the past and embracing a more psotive future. Johnson has a Batman asking "What is a normal life? And, Is the cost of being Gotham's protector to high?" The artwork by Javi Fenandez fits this story like a glove. The action panels pop with action and the color give this book cinematic quality. This book kept me on the edge of my seat even up to the unexpected ending. I really would love to see Johnson on the regular Batman series in the future. This is probably the best Batman book being published right now. Here are few other adventures featuring Damian you should check out: Robin, Vol. 1: The Lazarus Tournament, Robin – Son of Batman, Volume 1: Year of Blood, Batman and Robin by Peter Tomasi & Patrick Gleason Omnibus, Super Sons, Vol. 1: When I Grow Up... & Robin War.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Batman & Robin gets a new writer and artist as part of DC All-In, bringing on Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Javi Fernandez as Bruce and Damian face off against a serial killer who may or may not be a ghost.

This was very good. PKJ balances the interplay between the Bruce & Damian drama and the superheroics really well, and even manages to add in some Batman: The Knight level flashback sequences (complete with Carmine Di Giandomenico artwork). The mystery of Memento is compelling, and even I can't see how it's going to play out - bonus points awarded because he's a rhymer, and that always gets me smiling.

Fernandez's artwork is solid, but he only manages to pencil two of the six issues here in their entirety, with Di Giandomenico on the flashbacks as mentioned, and assistance from Miguel Mendonca on two issues as well. If you're switching someone in, you'd think they'd have enough lead time to do a six issue run unbroken.

Great stuff. Still Batman & Robin, but in a very different way to the previous runs, and with an injection of mystery too. Shall we take bets on whether Memento is an avatar of Olgrun, so this can tie into PKJ's other DC work? :p

[Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

PTSD gains more traction with Damien in this trade...

He's seen Alfred killed in front of him. He's been killed and resurrected with superpowers. He's always been more of a weapon than just a kid. All these things are making it hard to focus on being Robin.

A recent injury to a small girl hits Damien extra hard and he shifts his focus to volunteering in Gotham. He's at a crossroads point. Stay and become disillusioned, or refocus and save his awkward relationship with his father.

...oh, and there's a serial killer with connections to Bruce's 'world tour' of criminology training.

====
Bonus: 'Harvey Moment', huh? EVERYONE has had one?

[Kirsten Quong · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good I put it down and immediately went shopping online for #20 of this series. They really hook you with the mystery in this volume and I was very compelled by the batfamily drama that ensues. Also a good run of issues for Scarecrow which is a bonus. :)

As others have said, my one qualm is that with the way Damian is portrayed, both visually and in his dialogue, it’s really hard to tell what age he’s supposed to be. He’s depicted simultaneously as a little boy and like a teenager depending on which exact issue you’re reading.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was pretty incredible. It's got a great mystery, but more importantly it nails the character voices and complex dynamics between the title characters. Damian Wayne is made even more interesting and likable. Bruce is correctly portrayed as a difficult and damaged person to be around, but is still very caring. And there's a great guest appearance from Red Hood.

This is the beginning act in a larger story that I can't wait to read more of.

[Lewis Mcgregor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've just caught up on the single issues and really appreciate the gritty tone of this series. However, with issue #19 ending on a cliffhanger, I'm curious how well it will translate as a standalone trade.

[Aidan]

PKJ’s got like a 75% win rate for me, especially when writing father-son stories

This did have an unforgivable out-of-context eavesdrop which is possibly the dumbest narrative device ever invented, but that other 75% of good stuff was fun

[Justin Biondo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t give this story its proper dues and I feel like a jackass now. Originally I wasn’t feeling it when the switch happened and I wasn’t able to afford every Bat-book at the time and this seemed at the base the one to cut to save some money but dammit that was stupid

[ava · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was really good but something about the way damian is portrayed in this is confusing me. is he a 10 or 16?? i literally couldn’t tell for the life of me

but seeing jason in this made me literally jump for joy!! his defending of damian..🥹

[Mariano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Estaría bueno que decidan si Damian tiene 10 años o 14, 17 o 34 porque cada artista lo dibuja como se le canta la goma.

[alejandro galvez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn good

One of the best Batman I have read in a long time. You need to read this. Its so good. The art is amazing as well. So good.

[Iamtree · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 stars)

[Beatriz Robalo · Rating 4 out of 5]

O parenting style do Batman é uma montanha russa de más decisões

[Daniel Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really solid mystery/occult story that reflects on fathers/sons, normalcy, and what being Robin means!

[Rafael Suleiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good graphic novel.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

What? Damian has feelings?! He has remorse for something he did?! What alternate dimension was this drawn from?

Also, Bats continues to be a bad father, so take comfort in that.

[alex :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

favorite Batman comic I’ve read in a while. oh my gosh, this story was amazing! once it started going, I couldn’t put it back down! I need to read Vol. 2 IMMEDIATELY!

[Vito · Rating 3 out of 5]

JASON TODD🤤😊