Batman & Robin: Year One (2024-) #4 (Batman and Robin: Year One

by Mark Waid, Chris Samnee

Things are heating up in Gotham as the General works to tighten his grip on the criminal underbelly of the city. But when he and Batman come face-to-face, will the Dark Knight strike fear in this new threat’s heart, or is this the end of Batman’s fight for Gotham City? Meanwhile, a meeting with Dick’s caseworker sets the young Boy Wonder on a path he absolutely dreads!

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Batman, Graphic Novels, Comic Book, Superheroes, Graphic Novels Comics

Kindle Edition

Published January 15, 2025

About the author

Mark Waid (born March 21, 1962 in Hueytown, Alabama) is an American comic book writer. He is best known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America.

Reviews

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm in love with this so much. I can't wait to see Dick in school.

[Cybernex007 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series, on the surface it feels like such a simple concept to explore. First year of Robin + a new boss coming in to strike a gang war and pick up the pieces. But how every aspect of this book is handled is a masterclass in batman, detective work, and action. I am loving it! This issue immediately picks back up from the last, with batman being sent underwater after being hit by a runaway container on a sinking cargo ship and Robin jumping in immediately after him. But batman is experienced in all matters of crap like this, and even before Robin could shine his underwater light on batman, he was already using a loose bar to leverage the container off of his leg. He signaled Robin to go back up to the surface and quickly followed after him to get them back to the bat boat. At the very least out of all of this, they were able to get a name for the new mobster in town. And it turns out this monster has a lot of daddy issues. We’ve seen glimpses of how he treats his father, but nothing like tonight as he took his father to the roof of their HQ and dangled his wheelchair oh so carefully on the ledge of the building as he talked to the father he sees as a massive disgrace. As it turns out his father was a mob boss too, and tried to take control of Miami…and failed tremendously. His son sees his father’s failure and the power he thought he could take by holding the largest stick and spits in his face (metaphorically), he wants to keep his father alive long enough to see his son succeed where he failed. As they head back inside they are greeted by one of their men, who turned out to have also been in attendance on the cargo ship when they interrogated Dent. Hearing that Dent gave up Grimaldi’s name, he immediately wanted Dent brought to him.

As the sun rises and batman and Robin finally get back to the bat cave, Alfred is greeting an unexpected visitor…their CPS agent! She has shown up a few other times unexpected and they were gone, being fed up with this she decided to show up early. Alfred triggered a switch which transmitted the audio from the house down to the cave. Upon hearing the agent and all the trouble they will be in if they don’t start showing face, batman immediately told Robin to run for it, they need to be up there yesterday! Bruce is the first to arrive in workout gear, pretending he just finished a morning routine and Dick should just be getting out of bed. Alfred had to rush around the corner to force Dick to change into pajamas vs the normal clothes he decided to put on. After a reasonably successful health check, the CPS agent went along her way. But there were a lot of discussions about tomorrow being a new day and Dick is a little confused and that’s when they dropped on him that school is starting tomorrow. HAHAHAHA, Dick is not happy about that.

That night Grimaldi revived a package, but nothing gets opened without being checked first so his goons decided to pry open the box…only for flurry of bats to fill the room! Batman…sent…them…a…box…full…of…bats!! HAHAHAHAHA! Batman of course used this as cover to sneak into Grimaldi’s office and lock the door for a private meeting. As it turns out Grimaldi was dishonorably discharged for embezzling funds meant for a foreign ally, seeing it as saving the tax payers money from people who “didn’t deserve it.” He only avoided imprisonment because he knew the right people. But in this city the only person he knows is Batman and that trick won’t work here. Batman is giving him 24 hours to leave before he is thrown out of Gotham. But Grimaldi has other plans, including triggering a hidden door to let the rest of his men inside! Batman works quick to push through their ranks, using small signal devices attached to each of them to cause the bats to swarm towards and target them! Eventually he was able to make his way to the roof and deploy a bat glider on his back to fly away! Grimaldi is disappointed in himself this time, he underestimated the bat and is not surprised they were unable to hold him. In Grimaldi’s mind he fully believes there is no prison on earth that can hold a determined enough man. These lines in particular are hilariously put over the image of Dick Grayson on his way to school, which I’m sure is something he sees as a prison. But I’m interested to see what else Grimaldi will get out of this altercation with the bat. As batman said himself, Grimaldi doesn’t know anyone. So it may be time for him to make a few more friends…

[RubiGiráldez RubiGiráldez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Se asienta totalmente la premisa total de paternidades en esta cabecera. Por la parte de Grimaldi, por supuesto sirve para atestiguar un odio visceral que explica las ambiciones de coronarse capo mafioso de Gotham City. Y por la parte de Bruce Wayne, seguimos notando la gran tirantez con Dick más allá de lo pertinente que es la seriedad en las acciones enmascaradas. La avisada visita de la mujer de servicios sociales sigue sintiéndose más peligrosa para Batman y Robin que los criminales que aguardan en las sombras. Y por supuesto, para Dick toca atender a una necesidad de su edad formativa más allá de las de sidekick.

Waid y Samnee mantienen un curioso interés en este retelling de Year One. Pero gustará de tener ya la grimosa amenaza de Clayface cerniéndose sobre el Dúo Dinámica.

[keara · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️’s

when new evil people come to gotham and think that they can outsmart and outplay the batman, always gets me chuckling... "kill him." girl- who do you think you are lmaooo!! (also i'm very excited for the next issue and hopefully seeing more of how dick adjusts to school???)

xoxo, keara

[Lilybeth]

How does one balance crime fighting and childraising?
Bruce has no idea and Alfred is at his wit's end.

'Thank God school is starting!' says every parent on the planet including The Dark Knight.

I'm loving this series!

Also, I've said it before, and I'll keep saying it: The artwork!! ❤️

[Jadyn❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continues to be a pretty funny read. I got a laugh out of the parallel on the last page likening Dick’s first day of school to prison.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just so good! I’m loving it. And Dick’s initial reaction to having to go to school and him overselling being sleepy was just too good haha.

[moonyberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I also had a panic button that would save me from an awkward situation... I loved the art and the adorable spiel of Dick thus far!

[Aster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the dynamic between Dick, Bruce and Alfred. I can't wait to read next issue.

[Chris Loan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this issue! Bruce and Dick trying to make an impression on the child care lady, Dick having to start school 🤣 and some classic Batman action!

[Geo Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The artistic parallels in this series are SO good and so well done

[Steven Shinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This felt very Lili & Stitch with how not so careful Dick was being with his cover.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

4

[Pedro Espada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buenísima grapa donde se refleja la situación paternofilial jeje.

[may ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

grumpy dick cause he has to go to school😭❤️‍🩹

[mollythemagic]

robin going to school. what could go wrong!

[grimbamreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

[Tefi ⟡♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If a man is determined enough… There is no prison on earth that can hold him.”

me encantó el final, literalmente dick yendo al colegio será peak comedy moments seguro HAJAJAJAJ

[Ryan Gasser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m really enjoying the relationships between Bruce and Dick and Alfred, as well as the build up of the new gang in Gotham.

[luz · Rating 4 out of 5]

why didn't you send him off to school!! pls spend more time with dick as his (foster) father 😔