Robin: Year One tells the story of Dick Grayson’s first year of being Batman’s sidekick Robin. After Dick’s parent’s were murdered he was taken in as Bruce Wayne’s ward. He was trained and went on to be Batman’s right hand in crime fighting before becoming a Teen Titan and later Nightwing.
The story opens up with kidnappings of young girls. No one is able to find clues as to how it’s happening. But we are shown the Mad Hatter has been kidnapping the girls using headphones while pushing out a subliminal message which some are susceptible to. These girls are then gathered up and dressed to have a specific look as per the customer who is requesting these girls. With Batman being indisposed it’s up to Robin to find a way to save the day. The second portion of the book is a bit more grim. Robin is doing well as Batman but Commissioner Gordon isn’t comfortable about having a boy as a vigilante. He makes it clear if anything happens to Robin, Batman will be taken down. This hits Batman when he finds out Two-Face has been causing trouble. Fearing what Gordon says may come true he tells Robin to sit it out. The Boy Wonder doesn’t take Batman’s advise and follows him. The results are disastrous and Batman decides Robin needs to be retired. The results of the Two-Face encounters have affected the dynamic duo badly. Robin will have to prove to himself as well as Batman that he’s got what it takes to be a great crime fighter.
What drew me to the book is the same thing that has been drawing me to lots of books lately and that is the art of Marcos Martin. An added bonus was art by Javier Pulido as well. Chuck Dixon and Scott Beatty wrote this series and it’s a job well done. The book felt like an old school story but felt very modern at the same time. They did a good job of showing the potential Robin to someday become Nightwing and eventually take up the mantle of the Batman when the time comes. It’s a good book that is solid all around. If you were a fan of Batman: The Long Halloween then this is a good follow up.
