SYNOPSIS: A lead from Gordon provides Batman an opportunity to chase down one of The General’s assets, but the best way to get close to them is not as Batman but as Bruce Wayne. But with Bruce off on his own, Dick is left stuck at Wayne Manor. What’s a boy wonder to do when no one’s watching…?
Chapter Five finds Dick Grayson in hot water throughout the issue, starting with trouble at school! While the peril starts small in scale, the pages are stunning to look at thanks to the cartoonish stylings of artist Chris Samnee. Samnee brings the expressiveness of Waid’s words to life panel after panel, making even something as mundane as a car ride a sight to behold. Plus, who would have thought “I managed to Wayne the principal…” would be a line of dialogue spoken, but here we are and it’s brilliant and fun!
When night falls, Waid returns the Caped Crusaders to familiar environs as they have a rooftop rendezvous with Commissioner Gordon. Something is refreshing about this scene, even though we’ve seen others like it countless times across the decades. Robin’s pout reflects how things are still coalescing between this trifecta and it’s not long before he has to turn in for the night so Bruce Wayn can go it alone.
The high society scene is another entertaining throwback, with Bruce maintaining a playboy persona as Batman does the observational work of a detective. Waid utilizes the balance well, and while that scene is going on, he intercuts with Dick back at the Manor, in a situation that feels very inspired by Batman Forever.
As the Dark Knight goes to work in the shadows of the now-empty party, Samnee does his best work, combining elements of horror to the noirish staging. Batman’s unfamiliarity with Hagen’s situation makes for some great drama and action as the story progresses.
Not to be left out, Robin has troubles of his own as he encounters a trap laid by Grimaldi’s men. Colorist Matheus Lopes is the hero here, utilizing a brighter palette to differentiate the action to what is going on with Batman back at Martin Koski’s. Both sequences are fantastic to look at and are comics at their finest!
Batman and Robin: Year One #5 is more of the same from this title, meaning greatness! Waid has a deep understanding of the Dynamic Duo and brings a nuance to their characterization that wasn’t present back in the storytelling of the 1940s. Samnee and Lopes are a visual powerhouse of the team, bringing a retro feel to the art, but with a modern flair, dazzling the reader with every page. It’s a good time to be a Batman fan! –Javier E. Trujillo
GRADE: A+
