Broken Frontier

Bruce Wayne takes his son out on the town, but they aren’t just catching a movie.

With Batman and Robin #1, writer Peter J. Tomasi has the distinct pleasure of introducing Damian Wayne to the New 52. This twerpy little creation of Grant Morrison is something that many people wanted put back in the box a few years ago when he was introduced. In recent memory, under Dick Grayson’s tutelage, Damian started to grow on the collective fan-base. In all that time, one part of the previous Batman and Robin title stuck out to me. In a scene during the search for Bruce Wayne arc, Damian is mouthing off as usual to Dick. Grayson just smirks and lets the kid know it doesn’t phase him too much, but made sure to add in a little barb. Do you really think Bruce would put up with you like I do?

Ever since then, I was always very curious as to how that dynamic would work. Bruce never had the same experience as Dick. He wasn’t a sidekick or a number two. Bruce has the patience of a monk, but not necessarily the temperament for insolence. In this issue, Tomasi puts that patience to the test immediately. In the face of his son’s disrespect, arrogance, and general dismissal of Bruce’s customs, he humors the boy to a point. He agrees with him when he makes a point and instructs him when he means business. Slowly but surely, Bruce is building a partnership. Not with hugs and platitudes, but with earned respect. This relationship blooming is the main attractor of the rebooted title.

Another fine piece of work is Mr. Patrick Gleason’s beautiful pencils. Inked by Mick Gray, Gleason attacks the quiet moments and acting required in this book with the same verve and craftsmanship of the two page splashes and action set pieces. There is brutal violence, great heart, and solid discipline in the book, through and through. The artist and writer meld their strengths perfectly. This team’s coalescence fills in any gaps left by the issue’s flaws. There are missteps, but nothing jarring or detracting from an overall satisfying read.

In the wake of DC’s New 52, aside from the slight de-aging of Bruce Wayne, not much seems to have changed in Batman’s corner of the world. Batman, Inc., Son of the Demon, and R.I.P. all still happened. Not only did they occur, but a giant hook of this story’s mysterious foe has heavily to do with Batman’s new desire to franchise all over the world. Perhaps this book will keep the Batman, Inc. fire slowly burning until that title returns. 

A solid opening to a not so unrecognizable world, Batman and Robin #1 is more of the same and I mean that in the best way possible.