Art by: Simone Di Meo
Colors by:
Letters by:
Cover art by: Simone Di Meo (cover A)
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: September 12, 2023
Batman And Robin #1 takes a break from Gotham War for Bruce and Damian to settle in as roommates while they investigate a string of crimes committed by people turned into animals.
Is Batman And Robin #1 Good?
"Wait a minute?!? People tuned into animals??? Is this a setup for the forthcoming Beast World event?" you might rightly muse. It's too soon to tell if that's what's happening, but so far, I would say, "No, Batman And Robin #1 is not a setup for Beast World." However, I could see how a small nudge in one or two directions could change my mind.
Fresh from the disastrous Knight Terrors event and spinning off from the increasingly disastrous Gotham War event, Bruce and Damian only have each other as Selina bolsters her Henchmen Union with the help of the rest of the Bat Family. The two move into Bruce's brownstone, where they fight crime as Batman and Robin while they slowly try to figure out how to live together as father and son. Bruce pushes Damian to take up typical teenager activities like going to Gotham High, but the fatherly encouragement gets put on the back burner when a series of crimes by animal-themed villains shows a pattern related to a scientist involved in DNA-altering tech.
Yes, this first issue is aware of and flows parallel to the Gotham War event. You don't need to know anything about Gotham War save that Bruce and Damian are at odds with the rest of the Bat Family, forming a convenient excuse to not get help for whatever trouble lies ahead.
The suspicion about this miniseries's tie to Beast World comes into play when some of the animal-themed crooks turn out to have recently undergone a little surgical work to take on the physical characteristics of the animal they only previously dressed up as. Killer Croc is still Killer Croc, but Fox is no longer a guy wearing a fox mask, for example.
What's great about Batman And Robin #1? It's too soon to tell if the mystery is an attention-grabber, but the real hit of this issue is the awkward tension between Bruce and Damian. Bruce makes an effort to play the responsible father, but Damian is already mature well beyond his years, creating an interesting relationship conflict with no easy solution. If Williamson can find a way to develop their relationship into something new, even if it is unorthodox, this series will have been worth the effort.
What's not so great about Batman And Robin #1? The mystery behind the animal-themed crimes doesn't get enough time to develop or show a connection to a big problem that would establish stakes or urgency. You know something's up, and that's all, so the mystery barely qualifies as a tease. Therefore, if the father/son elements don't grab you, there's not much else to hold your attention.
How's the art? Outstanding. Simone Di Meo delivers at least one splash page, dramatic panel angles, excellent use of blurring techniques to enhance the energy of the fights, and solid acting during the quiet moments. Di Meo's art is almost worth the cover price.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Bits and Pieces:
Batman And Robin #1 is a solid start to a series that solves a mysterious conspiracy while Bruce and Damian struggle to connect as father and son. The art is outstanding, and the quiet relationship moments are captivating, but the conspiracy is only teased enough to generate mild curiosity.
7/10
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