The One Where A Robin Learns to Fly!
Written by: Jeff Lemire
Art by: Dustin Nguyen
Colors by: Dustin Nguyen
Letters by: Steve Wands
Cover price: $3.99
Release date: January 11, 2021
Robin & Batman #3 brings the run to a close with a final confrontation with Killer Croc after he learns Robin's true identity and a more profound conflict between Dick and the hero he's meant to be.
Was It Good?
Damn you, Lemire!
How dare you write a Bat-family mini this good! How dare you release this masterwork of writing to the world immediately after announcing you've gone exclusive with Image! How dare you deny the world the future greatness of DC under your expert care!
Okay, that's enough of that. If it wasn't clear by now, this issue is a perfect capper to a perfect mini-series about Robin's first days as one half of the Dynamic Duo. If you've been paying attention (and of course, you have, because Weird Science review readers are the best), you could almost sketch out a timeline of maturing and growth through this arc for the Boy Wonder.
In issue #1, Dick is the cocky, determined youth with something to prove. He doesn't know or care about his limits. His only focus is to make Bruce proud and show that he's ready in every respect. In issue #2, the reality of being a soldier in Batman's war lands on Dick like a ton of bricks. Self-doubt and uncertainty permeate every scene while the connective thread of Killer Croc's vendetta against the Graysons becomes clear.
Here, in issue #3, Dick grows up. You can palpably see it happening before your eyes when Croc takes Batman, and Dick sets out to save his mentor, his father-figure, his friend from certain death. This is one of the best coming-of-age superhero-style stories DC has produced in years. By the end, Dick is a little wiser and a little more sure of himself while still being just a kid, and it's this kind of character growth that makes this mini one of the best Bat-titles DC has ever put out.
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Bits and Pieces
Robin & Batman #3 is a masterful coming-of-age story about the Boy Wonder coming into his own as a hero. It's perfect in what it does, and Nguyen's art accentuates every nuance expertly.
10/10
The artwork for this mini has been awesome and this is coming from a guy who never gets excited about the artwork. Don't get me wrong I don't hate the artwork in most comics I just prefer the older style guys like Tom Grummett, Phil Jimenez, George Perez, Jim Aparo, etc. basically artists I grew up on. But this really wowed me which was no easy task.
ReplyDeleteNow I do have one question. Did Killer Croc murder Dick's parents in this iteration? That's the impression I got plus I don't think I heard any mention of Tony Zucco. 🤔