Batman and Robin #35 (DC)

writer: Peter J. Tomasi
artist: Patrick Gleason

via NerdBinge

"Robin Rises" Part 3 sees Batman reach Apokolips, but also Alfred formally, once again, inserting himself into Batman's business by recruiting Red Robin, Red Hood, and Batgirl to help rescue Batman after he'd previously rejected their assistance in his quest to reclaim the body of his son Damian, the late and most recent Robin.

It's an issue that, like the recent "Hunt for Robin" arc, highlights Pete Tomasi and Patrick Gleason's ability to seamlessly adapt themselves to a given context.  The obvious one is Apokolips, home of the bad guys with the New Gods pantheon, usually headlined by Darkseid, but since he's sidelined after the events of the opening Justice League arc and hasn't yet returned, his son Kalibak and Glorious Godfrey.  Like Frankenstein previously, seeing Tomasi and Gleason with these characters is a revelation, and yet another wish for a future project from the duo.

Also in the mix is Cyborg, the only Leaguer involved even though Batman has gone over the heads of the whole team to take his Hellbat suit to Apokolips.  Alfred's Army (which I dub them as of now) tricks Cyborg into using his boom tube to follow Batman through the looking glass, but not before an interlude involving Batwoman.  Since her origins in 52, Batwoman has slunk away to her own corner of the playground, but at least that allows for fun cameos like this one.

It's a great issue in the arc, the series, and the emerging New 52 version of the New Gods.  Really, there's very little not to love about it.