Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Batman and Robin Annual #2
DC Comics
Tomasi & Mahnke
The second annual for Batman and Robin is a one-shot that gives a look back at the first couple of nights where Dick Grayson first wore the Robin costume. The book is constructed in a clever way as it's a nested flashback where Dick remembers telling Damian about the experience while Dick and Bruce find something that triggers the memories of Damian. For a comic that is near forty pages for five bucks you will be entertained for your money and that's all you can ask for. This is worth picking up.
The setup is a layered one. Bruce and Alfred find an artifact left for Dick hidden in mansion by Damian. When they bring Dick in to open it, Dick begins to recall the story he told Damian about his first days as Robin. In the retelling, we find that Damian is totally disinterested in hearing Dick's story, but as the comic unfolds we get a great story that ties the two together.
The bulk of the book is a character study of Dick as Robin in the early days. At first glance you might not be able to tell Dick from Damian in terms of attitudes but this isn't the case. We find that their brash attitude is similar but not the same. Dick has more of a drive for Batman's approval whereas Damian seems to simply want to be the best and he believes he already is. The characters compliment each other so well even when they are not on the page at the same time.
The book is also a lot of fun. There are moments where Dick debuts a hideous costume and moments where Bruce takes a jab or two at Dick. The book connects the character moments while breaking them up with some nice action. It's a really good comic book.
The artwork varies widely between nice and polished to fuzzy and undetailed. The inconsistency of the book's artwork is the one drawback with this comic book. The book has two on pencils and six inkers and it shows, in some spots horribly. There is one two page sequence where the faces are barely discernible from sketches. When you consider this book is an annual is inexcusable that DC would allow this level of rushed work out the door just to meet a deadline.
Batman and Robin is a fun read. It's a one-shot that really helps to juxtapose Dick's attitude when he took on being Robin versus Damian's general superiority complex. The book gives enough character work to make it worth reading but it also provides some action to help push the book along at a nice pace. This is definitely worth reading despite the problems with the artwork.
4 out of 5 Geek Goggles
