Mark Waid and Chris Samnee are back and taking Robin to school in Batman and Robin: Year One #5! Well, not for long, as the kid didn’t even make it past homeroom. Fun touches like that make this a well-rounded series that shows drama, comedy, and suspense at all levels. While this series is named after Batman and Robin only, the most fun comes from Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, and Alfred Pennyworth trying to be a family. The creative team plays the element of drama very nicely for both sets of alter egos, and this issue is no exception, as Waid and Samnee set up an intriguing cliffhanger. However, what happens beforehand?
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Relationships are a theme in this issue. At the start, Waid and Samnee continue with Dick Grayson going to school, and it does not take. The scene is played with significant body language and faces full of feelings. Looking at Bruce and Dick’s postures in the opening, you can see how polarizing they are when it comes to the importance of school. Bruce is forward-moving, tense, and angry, which is played perfectly against Dick, who looks leisurely, loose, and uncaring. Waid fills the scene with dialogue that matches their perspectives perfectly so that you can understand where they are coming from with their reactions. Alfred is perfectly spoken with his sharp wit to keep the scene light-hearted.
The next relationship in the issue is with Batman, Robin, and Commissioner Gordon. I’ve read plenty of comic books with the three characters and have enjoyed their interactions, but this one shocked me with how curt Gordon was with Robin. It’s the typical Bat Signal in the sky, and the Dynamic Duo arrives to converse. The first words out of Gordon’s mouth are all about Robin’s involvement. That moment hits pretty harshly. I have never seen Gordon be that cold towards Dick Grayson, and I am very eager to see the next time the three meet up and how that relationship will course correct to what we have come to know.
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The interaction leads to Batman and Robin’s night ending and the two separating. Bruce goes on a social call that leads to quite a confrontation with our “melting man.” Using Clayface in this series is enjoyable as readers know who he is, but we don’t understand why he is doing these murders for the General. The way Clayface attacks Batman is brutal and has me wondering how much further the actor goes in this series. Being stuck at home, Robin only lasts a minute as he escapes alone into the night. There is a neat Easter egg if you explore the surrounding areas. Sadly, Robin is still learning about the criminal element, but luckily, he will only be bait for later. I wonder how he will make it to school the next day.
Overall, Batman and Robin: Year One #5 is an entertaining issue in the Year One saga that shows Robin has a long way to go regarding allies like Alfred and Gordon. While the Boy Wonder shrugs off the problems he causes, he learns that the problems won’t let him go. Dick is causing issues in his life as a ward, student, and hero that are going to play beneficial to the General’s actions toward Gotham. Bruce has a long way to go before he can play the part of mentor and father while he is still trying to be the Dark Knight. Waid and Samnee deliver a great story as they forge a Dynamic Duo.
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