While Bruce Wayne adjusts to the realities of adopting orphan Dick Grayson, a mysterious new crime boss called the General has come to Gotham to claim the city by disrupting and destroying its other mobs. But what is his connection to Two-Face? Batman and his new sidekick, Robin, are out for answers, but it’ll take everything they have to navigate both sides of their relationship as father and son and dynamic duo, with Dick Grayson’s present and future hanging in the balance! Batman and Robin: Year One #1 kicks off the re-teaming of Mark Waid and Chris Samnee and delivers a debut that meets, and exceeds, expectations.

Mark Waid and Chris Samnee have delivered some banger comics in the past. When the duo come together for a new comic, you expect them to again to deliver a hell of an entertaining comic. One that not only has a fantastic story but also amazing art. Batman and Robin: Year One #1 is all that and more. It delivers a start that feels like a modern classic and hearkens back to some amazing comics.

Taking us to the early days of of Dick and Bruce as well as Batman and Robin, Batman and Robin: Year One #1 introduces a man and hero struggling with being a father and mentor and a child who is hurting but hides it with an enthusiastic exterior. Waid and Samnee nail the start of a shaky and inexperienced duo. Both individuals are trying to figure out where things stand and where to take things.

The debut not just delivers an emotional punch and ride but also delivers some fantastic action. Tas the duo head out on an adventure that teases the threat to come. The first battle, Two-Face who has stolen a file from Commissioner Gordon. But he’s done so in a way that breaks his standard operation. That just creates more questions. That’s the tip of the iceberg as a greater threat is hinted at, a new crime boss is coming.

Samnee’s art is amazing. With color by Matheus Lopes and lettering by Clayton Cowles and Samnee, the art is amazing. It’s not only classic Samnee but also feels like classic Batman like The Long Halloween. Where the art stands out is its ability to deliver a gloomy setting but also the cheery disposition of Robin. There’s a light in the art and it’s Robin in every scene.

Batman and Robin: Year One #1 is a hell of a start that nails things in every way. The story has a great focus on the tepid relationship between Bruce and Dick and Batman and Robin and the art creates an atmosphere that feels like the best of Batman. It’s a hell of a start and one that’ll be a modern classic that readers go to for years to come.

Co-Plot: Mark Waid, Chris Samnee Story: Mark Waid Art: Chris Samnee
Color: Matheus Lopes Letterer: Clayton Cowles, Chris Samnee
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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