SYNOPSIS: The General is on the hunt for the man behind the mask and is on the warpath. As the Dynamic Duo continue to stretch themselves thin and tire themselves out stopping various threats around Gotham, the General’s threat closes in on them!
Welcome back, Waid & Samnee!
After taking April off, the Dynamic Duo (Waid and Samnee) are back spinning a tale of the Dynamic Duo (Batman and Robin)!
General Grimaldi is reading the riot act to Clayface for his failures last issue, causing friction between the two villains. Grimaldi addresses his father as well, assuring him victory will soon be his, as soon as he deduces the identity of The Batman, using stolen files from the police to aid in his quest. All the while, Two-Face eavesdrops in, thanks to a well-concealed bug…
Meanwhile, Batman and Robin are having a busy week of non-stop crime fighting, prompting Robin to quip with a “Holy Overtime, Batman!” It’s a fun nod to Burt Ward that feels very appropriate given the Year One setting, even though the tone is far more grounded than the ’60s TV show.
As we catch up with Dick Grayson at school, we see the lengths he’ll go to to protect the secret of his nocturnal activities. It’s a great display of his ingenuity and improv skills.
Two-Face further complicates the plot by surprising Clayface, creating double jeopardy for the Dark Knight. I love both of Samnee’s depictions of these classic rogues. The remark from Two-Face that Clayface had the color off on his impersonation of Harvey was a nice touch and reflected the bold confidence of the former DA.
A scene in the Batcave also reflects how this team is starting to firm up, and also provides some humor from Alfred. There’s not a single page that is wasted. Every moment is driving either the characters or the plot forward and makes for an entertaining read.
And the art! Samnee is simply spectacular! For proof, look no further than the splash page of Batman and Robin leaping over Gotham with the Boy Wonder having a big smile plastered all over his face! It’s quintessential Caped Crusader stuff, capturing the beauty and vastness of Gotham and screams adventure!
If you’re not picking up this book, I don’t know what to tell you. It’s comic book storytelling at its finest, full of fun, thrills, and danger! DC and Batman fans have it made! – Javier E. Trujillo
