They have stout, robust bodies with noticeably rounded bellies. Their chest and much of their underbelly is reddish orange. The shade of brown varies from individual to individual, with some a dark brown shade and others a dusty brown. Robin & Batman manages to add more depth and emotionality to a story we thought we already knew.Robins have brown plumage on their heads, backs, and wings. It’s this honest look at loss and duty to oneself that makes this book worth seeking out. Whether it’s his relationship with his newfound family or his need to set things right, Dick Grayson is not going to give up without a fight. He’s barely able to focus in school, instead spending his time thinking about the previous night’s fight and the future opportunities he’ll have to try to force the world to make sense. But even with that level of confidence, he is still a traumatized little boy, plagued with horrible memories of his parents’ deaths. From the first moment he flashes his cocky grin at Bruce following the opening fight scene, it’s clear that this kid was always meant to be the hero he’d become.

Of course, the reason we’re all here is for the character above Batman in the title, and this creative team delivers everything that readers love about Dick Grayson as Robin. I’m excited to see this dynamic continue through the rest of the series. Alfred makes it clear at every turn that he feels this situation has gotten out of hand, but he does so in a way that still implies that he trusts Bruce implicitly. Pennyworth wouldn’t be too thrilled by the idea of Bruce taking a kid into battle, and so he pushes back in some cutting ways.

Speaking of which, the relationship between Alfred and Bruce is another of the book’s major high points. Is Bruce being manipulative, or has Alfred gotten through to him in some way? What is a bit more unclear is his sudden change of heart later in the story. So while Bruce’s cold demeanor may be difficult to see here, it ultimately lines up with what he hopes to accomplish here. Batman is in completed uncharted waters here, and he doesn’t want to make the mistake of sending a young person into the field when they’re not ready. This may give some readers pause, but it also makes perfect sense. Because of that, he’s gruff with both Dick and Alfred, casually dismissing their attempts to appeal to his softer side. This is a Batman who is putting his first sidekick through the ringer in the name of making sure he’s prepared for the horrors of Gotham City nightlife. What may surprise many readers is how the Dark Knight really lives up the first half of his nickname in this issue, at least for the first half of it.

Robin & batman jeff lemire