Movies News Talk
Mark Waid's gripping 12-issue miniseries, "Batman and Robin: Year One," which Chris Samnee illustrated, DC Comics is poised to publish Focusing on the complicated relationship between Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson - a bond that transcends simple mentoring and explores the territory of father and son - this series transports readers back to the formative years of the Dynamic Duo.
The miniseries will look at the first months Bruce Wayne brings Dick Grayson under his direction. Bruce struggles with the unusual position of a father figure, a powerful new crime lord called "the General," who shows up in Gotham determined to destroy the underground by wreaking havoc on current criminal groups. One wonders what relationship, if any, "the General" has with the infamous Two- Face as he ascends to authority.
Batman and Robin are driven into a whirl of research by the story, which forces them to probe the criminal underworld and solve the riddle around "the General." Their search of justice becomes entwined with the changing dynamics between Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson, so highlighting the complexity of their relationship as father and son as well as a crime-fighting team. Dick Grayson's future rests in flux, giving the action a moving undercurrent.
This intriguing new miniseries marks Mark Waid's first DC Comics project joint effort with Chris Samnee. But their past cooperation on Marvel projects like "Daredevil" and "Black Widow" reveals their extraordinary synergy and shared creative vision.
Recently working at DC, Waid has produced critically praised works including "Absolute Power," "Shazam!," and "Batman / Superman: World's Finest," all of which highlight his skill of narrative and character development. In "Batman and Robin: Year One," he pledges a more emotionally driven, grounded story. As Waid personally notes:
"It happens just a month or two after Bruce adopted Dick, and Bruce is starting to feel inadequate as a parent to a child that age. He has no role model; his own father died long ago by the time Dick was his age. Nothing he has ever done has ready him for this; Alfred, smart as he is, lacks experience here either.
Though many origin tales for Batman and Robin have adorned DC Comics, including the most recent "Robin & Batman" miniseries by Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen, the early years of the dynamic team still enthrall readers.
The upcoming "Batman and Robin: Year One" miniseries offers a distinctive and engaging addition to the Batman legacy. This series presents a fresh and emotionally resonant viewpoint on a timeless tale with its emphasis on the human dynamics between Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson and the creative vision of seasoned storytellers like Waid and Samnee.
Given the DC Universe's major changes following the "Infinite Frontier" era and the approaching end of "Absolute Power," the exact location of "Batman and Robin: Year One" within the general DC continuity remains unclear. Although the show might fit Waid's other in-continuity works, including his run on "World's Finest" and "Teen Titans," there is also a chance it would be a stand-alone narrative.
One thing is clear despite the uncertainty about its continuity: Batman and Robin's ongoing appeal ensures that "Batman and Robin: Year One" will be much awaited and maybe essential addition to the DC Universe.
DC Comics plans to publish "Batman and Robin: Year One #1" on October 16, 2024.
Bruce Wayne's alter persona is Batman, the vigilante superhero. Bruce is a billionaire. Driven by the sad death of his parents, Bruce committed his life to become the top martial artist, investigator, and tactician worldwide. Driven by his relentless dedication to justice, Bruce sets out a lifetime fight against evil, rising as Gotham City's dark knight. His unrelenting quest of justice has brought him to assemble a devoted family of allies and sidekicks including the venerable Robin.