Review: Batman and Robin: Year One #5
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Co-Plot: Mark Waid and Chris Samnee
Writer: Mark Waid
Art: Chris Samnee
Colors: Matheus Lopes
Letters: Clayton Cowles with Chris Samnee
Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd
Summary
After a disruptive first day at school for Dick Grayson, Batman encounters a new adversary in Matt Hagen and Robin sets out on his own and it doesn’t go as he intends.
Positives
There’s a straightforward approach to Batman and Robin: Year One #5 and indeed the whole series that raises the quality of the comic effortlessly. Mark Waid and Chris Samnee combine for a fun and solid Batman and Robin plot while including a number of character moments that contribute to the overall story. It almost makes it difficult to review because everything about it is a positive. Batman acts like Batman. Robin is a fun, slightly irreverent kid who’s got a lot of energy and is his won person. Waid utilizes Robin’s history as a circus performer to inform his characterization effectively.
If you’ve read early Batman and Robin stories from the Golden Age, it’s clear that Waid is able to bring some of that characterization and energy in an updated manner while still maintaining the spirit of those stories. There’s also a fun Selina Kyle and Holly cameo as seen in Batman: Year One. Although, Frank Miller’s misogynistic casting of Selina Kyle as a prostitute is one of a the few drawback’s of Batman: Year One and hopefully this can be recast in an alternative light.
The appearance of Matt Hagen and revel of his identity comes in a fun way that is cleverly alluded to for readers who know. It works well as the reader knows more than Batman at this point. The action is fun and there’s a good cliffhanger for the following, as well!
Negatives
The sole negative is the reminder of Selina’s start as a prostitute in Batman: Year One. While the cameo is fun and provides connective tissue to Batman and Selina’s history, it is tainted with misogynistic overtones and Miller’s overuse of the trope.
Verdict
Batman and Robin: Year One #5 demonstrates why this is one of the top two Bat-titles at DC Comics right now. It’s running neck and neck with Batman and Robin written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson. Is it a coincidence that they both feature Batman and Robin? Probably. They are tonally different, but both of excellent quality as they both balance the action with character moments. Year One will take the top spot if fun is your thing! Either way you can’t miss with this series!
