Detective Comics #830
	Story Title: ‘Siege’ Writer: Stuart Moore Artist: Andy Clarke Colorist: Nathan Eyring Cover by: Simone Bianchi Letterer: Travis Lanham Asst. Editor: Elizabeth V. Gehrlein Editor: Peter Tomasi Published by: DC Comics ‘BATMAN’ created by BOB KANE
	Reviewed by: Bruce Logan

For the second and last issue of ‘Tec first Post-IC multi-issue story arc (barring the ‘Face the Face’ crossover with Batman), guest writer Stuart Moore brings in more of the explosions, both verbal and physical, that were a major part of setting up the previous issue. However, just as with that one, it is the character interaction between Batman and Robin that is the actual story builder and teller.

When we last saw Robin he had been hosed down with a liquid explosive by the newbie villains popped up last ish., Vox. That he (Vox) doesn’t make it alive to even the ending of this one isn’t all that big a surprise, after all, I didn’t think Moore created him to be a long lasting commodity. His part here was that of ‘Generic Villain-X’ with ‘Generic Reasoning-Y’ being his driving force. What his purpose here was to build on the Post-IC Batman-Robin dynamic and that he does quite well. Oh, we have been told on more than one occasion that this is a brighter, friendlier Bat and that he is more open/trusting/comfortable with those around him, well, a few of them. However, no matter how flowery and/or boisterous the claims, none beats an honest good ol’ fashioned partnership, and that is exactly what Moore gives here.

While the first half of the issue focuses on the dynamic duo dealing with Robin’s predicament, all while either of them being floors from each other. Even though it gets taken care of fairly easily, the defusing of a possibly explosive and deadly (for Robin) situation scores with the way the two heroes deal with each other and with themselves. Once that is taken care of, Batman makes his move. Ditching his rather unruly guests is a piece of cake for the Caped Crusader, as is the apprehension of Vox (with some assistance from a recovered Robin). Where the problem comes, both with Batman and the story itself is towards the end. Not only does Vox finally manage to free himself easily enough but as to why he did what he does, well, that doesn’t quite hold up. I for one got the feeling that given the time Moore would have carried this plot forward at least another issue if not two, if only to properly deal with Vox (his past, his actions, etc).

Continuing with the dynamic duo motif, the creative duo of Andy Clarke and Nathan Eyring do a pretty amazing job of bringing to (visual) life Moore’s words. Granted that I would have preferred less black in the Batman-Vox fight scenes but overall there wasn’t one panel that looked skimped on. I especially liked Robin facial expressions which had the right mix of nervous confidence and funny to it.

Conclusion: Even though the ending left me a bit shortchanged, taken in its entirety this filler story was a pretty respectable one, and would have found an ideal fit in the recently ended Legends of the Dark Knight.

RATING: 8/10