Robin & Batman

Robin & Batman (2021) #1-3

by Jeff Lemire, Dustin Nguyen (Inker)

Robin is just starting out at the side of Batman, struggling to find his own path from personal tragedy to being a Superhero. The Eisner-winning superstar team of writer Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth) and artist Dustin Nguyen (Batman) unite for a three-issue limited-series exploring the beginning of Dick Grayson’s crime-fighting career.

The legendary story of Batman and Robin has reached nearly mythic proportions: the crime-fighting Dynamic Duo, always one step ahead of the criminals they pursue and never meeting a case too big. This isn’t that story. This is the story of a young Dick Grayson, newly orphaned, struggling to find his way in a strange, difficult, dark new world…This is the story of Robin and Batman.

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels, Batman, Superheroes, Graphic Novels Comics, Fiction

130 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 10, 2022

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

Jeff Lemire is a New York Times bestselling and award winning author, and creator of the acclaimed graphic novels Sweet Tooth, Essex County, The Underwater Welder, Trillium, Plutona, Black Hammer, Descender, Royal City, and Gideon Falls. His upcoming projects include a host of series and original graphic novels, including the fantasy series Ascender with Dustin Nguyen.

Reviews

[A.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing book by the creative duo of Jeff Lemire & Dustin Nguyen that finally dares to answer the age old question, “What if All Star Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder wasn’t a totally shit book, but actually kind of compelling?”

[Khurram · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome miniseries. Retelling the early days of Batman and Robin (Dick Grayson). Everything about this story is great. It is more Robin's story, and it should be. There are even subtle touches in the artwork. The scene Batman is is shaded slightly darker.

Dick Grayson is finding out that being adopted by a billionaire and attending school during the day and fighting crime by night is not all it I'd cracked up to be. Batman is a hard taskmaster. Nothing is good enough for him, and he only knows one way, his way. Now, a villain from their present is linked to Grayson's past, and it is threatening to end the dynamic duo before they get started.

It's a great book, especially for fans of Dick Grayson. I like the battle between the darkness and the light. I don't like Batman getting beaten up so much, but I do understand why it was done. Personally, it was always great to have Alfred back. He is the only person Batman/Bruce will grudgingly listen to. The book starts with the varient covers and has the varient of every issue as it starts. It finishes with a sketch book and a thumbnail varient cover gallery.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am cutting back on my comics reading, especially DC/Marvel stuff, but I try to read all the Lemire work I can, and try to minimally keep reading Batman stuff. This is NOT titled Batman & Robin, as in the the sixties TV show song, but Robin & Batman, having as its focus Robin/Dick Grayson developing his relationship to Batman/Bruce Wayne. So this is what Lemire does, father-son stories, where the father needs to learn how to be a father.

But Bruce Wayne's parents were killed, and he doesn't really know how to be a father; what he knows is his work, and how to develop Dick into Robin, which is a somewhat different thing. Enter the guy that raised Bruce Wayne, Alfred, who plays a kind of mother to Wayne's father, angrily confronting him along the way.

There are sweet moments: A surprise birthday party featuring Superman and Wonder Woman, though what Alfred sees Dick needs is a more intimate gift, a closer relationship. There's a hug that happens later, with Bat telling Robin he's a good boy (not just good superhero-in-training).

So it's good, but as with most recent Lemire comics, the real strength of the volume is Dusting Nguyen's artwork, just wonderful (though Robin reminds me too much of Tim, the boy bot from Ascender/Descender.

[Subham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume is mostly about the origins of Dick and how he frst wet Bruce and well became Robin and how its connected to his family and the discord between him and Bruce and then meeting the JLA and Titans for the first time and fighting villains alongside them and like assessing his friends too and then fighting Killer Croc and the history behind him and I like how Lemire makes him such a big threat in their lives and well realization of he doesn't have to be alone or dark like Bruce and all.

Its very much the origin of Dick and its awesome and really well done, Lemire doesn't miss the beats and he gives these characters great life and shows the DCU through his lens and I really like how he uses the silver age versions of the teams and its been so long since anyone did that and also the only thing I didn't like was how he showed Bruce as sort of broody and incompetent but other than that its good and the art by Weaver is awesome, the painting and all but maybe not everyone will like it but then again it depends on the individual.

[Diz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Batman is portrayed as an extremely stern, and perhaps bad, father to Robin. The relationship between Robin and Alfred, on the other hand, seems like a healthier one as it is warm and caring. The story focuses on Robin's growth as a sidekick. As the story progresses, Robin learns not to focus on pleasing Batman by trying to be like him and builds the confidence that he needs to become his own type of hero.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A time-worn origin tale, but deftly reversed, thrusting the young ward of Bruce Wayne to center stage and showing us the familiar through his unfamiliar eyes. No contradictions, no big reveals, no putting a new spin on the story, just an alteration of perspective that means everything old feel new again.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jeff Lemire's father and son fixation actually works well in this tale of Dick Grayson coming to terms with his new life shortly after the death of his parents and becoming the ward of Bruce Wayne. He's finding his identity as Robin and determining how he fits into Batman's crusade against crime and with the other sidekicks with whom he will one day form the Teen Titans.

I wasn't fond of shoehorning Killer Croc into Robin's origin though. That felt wrong and unnecessary.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dustin Nguyen's artwork is gorgeous as always. It always has a kind of dreamlike quality to it, but it's not at all difficult to understand what's going on. I love his slight redesign of the first Robin outfit. The top half is almost exactly as it's always been, while the bottom half is a more practical long pants and combat boots. Even his redesigned "modern" outfit makes sense in a practical way, but it's still instantly recognisable as Robin.

So, the story... The thing about retelling Dick Grayson's origin is that you need to bring something new to the table, an angle that we haven't seen before, or if necessary a complete reinvention of the character. Jeff Lemire fails to do this on all accounts.

The problem is I've read this story before. It was better told in "Robin: Year One" and "Teen Titans: Year One", and far worse in "Allstar Batman and Robin".

This Batman is developmentally stunted, selfish and cruel. When Alfred asks him why he can't let Dick have a normal childhood his response is "I never did. Why should he?". Batman can be cold and calculating but this smacks of Frank Miller's insane take from "Allstar Batman and Robin". He has some progression throughout the book but I've always hated this kind of depiction of Batman. I don't mind him being a jerk or closed off, but to make such a claim feels completely out of character to me and took me right out of the book.

Dick is only slightly better served by the story. He goes down a dark path before realising he doesn't need to be like Batman. It may be my own personal opinion but I prefer the idea that Dick was always a more joyful person who never struggled with his own darkness the way Batman did. He doesn't live behind a mask the way Batman does, it was never an issue for him. So seeing Dick breaking arms wasn't a highlight for me.

I'll admit I am a very tough critic when it comes to Dick Grayson stories, but beyond some beautiful art this offered nothing in the way of satisfying development and any new aspects of the character were entirely negative.

Don't read this. Read "Robin: Year One" and "Teen Titans: Year One" instead.

[Shaun Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robin & Batman collects issues 1-3 of the DC Comics Black Label series written by Jeff Lemire with art by Dustin Nguyen.

An intimate look at Dick Grayson’s early days of adopting the Robin mantle as he tries to prove to Batman that he is ready as a vigilante.

Think “All-Star Batman & Robin” (which I secretly love) but written with heart and compassion for the Batman and Robin relationship. The book focuses on the point of view of Robin as he sets out to prove to an unsure Batman that he is ready for the job. There are some really great emotional scenes sprinkled throughout the book including, but the one that resonated with me the most was after Dick beat up some bullies who tried picking a fight, Alfred comes to the school to meet with the principle and take Dick back home. The relationship between those two characters is very touching. I have always loved seeing how Alfred cares for all the Batfamily members as his own extended family.

My one complaint with the book is that it is too short. I wanted more. It feels like the story is over in a heart beat. I wish we would have got more backstory on Killer Croc’s time at the circus. I also wish this book had received the oversized magazine treatment as Nguyen’s art is absolutely beautiful. I could see the creative team doing a follow up story here, but I would also love to see the same creative team tackle each Robin in a similar format showcasing the differences in each kid. If you are a Batman fan, make sure this book is on your read list.

[Kadi P]

There’s something highly disturbing about titling this “Robin & Batman” instead of “Batman & Robin”. I don’t want to hear logical arguments about individuality being a stand-out selling and marketing tool. All I know is that hearing it the other way round feels unnatural. It’s like “Louise and Thelma”, “Scooby and Shaggy”, “Watson and Holmes”, you just don’t do that!

[Lashaan Balasingam · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's so much fun to see Lemire delve into the emotional conflict between the young Richard D. Grayson (Robin) and Bruce Wayne (Batman). The watercolour translates the emotions perfectly as well, somehow soft and innocent, yet also full of gravitas. Short and sweet, the story really captures how complicated it is for the both of them to say what they think and do what what they believe, but in the end, an important is learned and they both understand what they need to be for one another.

[A Fan of Comics · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should have been titled "Robin year one".

Its very early in the relationship for Robin and Batman. Not only are they trying to figure out how to coexist with each other, they are still learning lots about themselves. I really enjoyed this book. It was a grim reminder on how harsh Batman use to be with the sidekicks and how much both have grown from the first year. There's lots of lessons in boundaries, what it means to be a kid, and being your own person. Absolutely loved the art. Dustin Nguyen was the best part about this series. There were a few different moments where I stopped in my tracks over how haunting the Bat looked. Reads well as issues and as a volume. You could probably finish in one sitting. I feel like some people may think its kind of short. It definitely feels similar to joker smiles in that way. Just quick look into the day of a life of someone in Gotham. Really, they should collect all Lemires black label stuff in one omnibus, titling "a day in a life" or something.

[eggduck · Rating 2 out of 5]

“What if batman was a sad traumatized man who used his loss of childhood as a reason to rob other children of theirs instead of protecting them” well yes that would suck. It’s a boring question. Yeah it’s a realistic one there about the ethics of training crime fighting child ninjas but it also sucks the soul out of the story. There’s nothing to root for other than dick escaping the role of Robin, even if he decides to be his own person in the end

The watercolors are beautiful but I don’t particularly care for the interpretation of batman as jaded and traumatized to the point of being vindictive. It’s like if all star batman and robin was actually thought out, but it’s still the same concept. Batman saying that dick doesn’t deserve a childhood because bruce never had one is antithetical to the purpose of his entire character. There’s a way to write a complicated relationship without nerfing one of the characters for drama.

[Giacomo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storia ben scritta di Jeff Lemire, che si concentra sulla figura del giovane Dick Grayson nel primo periodo come Robin.

A farla da padrone sono sicuramente i disegni di Nguyen che, utilizzando uno stile ad acquerello, rende la parte grafica particolare (ma visti i toni della storia direi che sono perfetti).

[Clint · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Nguyen’s watercolors are a beautiful and unique look for Gotham, and Lemire’s tendency towards telling father-son coming-of-age stories fits the namesake duo surprisingly well. There’s a bit of danger with the Killer Croc plot, but I love how focused this is on the grounded emotional stakes of Robin trying to figure out what he’s even doing in his early days with Bruce.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeff Lemire knows how to write affecting father/son tales, so he's well suited to a reboot of Batman and Robin's early years. In Robin & Batman, the pair's relationship is young, with Robin still in training. He's a rascally scamp who rarely follows Batman's commands - this naturally leads to some attrition and opportunities to learn a lesson. Alfred floats through the narrative as the exasperated voice of reason.

Honestly, Robin & Batman doesn't offer much you haven't seen before and is kind of dull at first glance. The villain is Killer Croc for goodness sake. But Lemire and especially Dustin Nguyen manage to infuse the tale with a great deal of pathos. Robin is a fully formed character, knocking against the bars of his gilded cage. Batman is trying to help the boy, but can't seem to get out of his own way. Alfred is Alfred - glorious. The conclusion comes as no surprise, but it's affecting all the same. A great read.

[Vane ;) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

“Ahora sé que no tengo que estar solo. Y que no tengo que ser la oscuridad. Puedo ser la luz. Puedo ser Robin”

Ver a Dick decidiendo desligarse de algunos principios de Batman, que no encajan con quien realmente es, para así crear su identidad como vigilante de Gotham y, su relación con Bruce, el cual no está preparado para cuidar de un niño y solo intenta crear a un soldado... Mi corazón va a estallar de ternura por esos dos, padre e hijo, y su crecimiento juntos. 🥺

[Guilherme Smee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ler esse quadrinho que mostra o início da dupla dinâmica através do ponto de vista do Robin, Dick Grayson, me fez perceber em muitas dimensões por que eu não gosto do Batman, mas tenho tanta simpatia com o(s) Robin(s). A presença Alfred como uma "terceira via" que enxerga o mundo nem tanto ao mar nem tanto à terra, também ajuda a percerber como o Batman é um mané e o quanto a presença de um Robin na vida dele é necessária para que ele recupere a criança interna que perdeu e que recusa em recuperar. A arte de Dustin Nguyen sobre o roteiro de Jeff Lemire dá a dimensão infantil que é nessária para o Robin sem perder o aspecto sombrio e perturbador do Batman. Claro, é preciso pesar que a HQ tem alguns problemas de cronologia se formos avaliar de forma "raiz": o primeiro encontro com os Titãs, a origem do Crocodilo, que é o nêmese principal da trama, entre outras coisinhas que o leitor mais escolado e atento vai perceber. Isso permitiria que a série saísse no selo Black Label, descomprometido com a cronologia. Mas o que é a cronologida da DC canônica hoje em dia? Pode a verdadeira cronologia da DC se levantar, por favor? Ah, pois é, então o negócio é aproveitar essa história bem amarradinha e otimamente desenhada e curtir o passeio e não os detalhes. Adorei muito!

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like anything these two do together (Lemire and Nguyen). This is a 3 part mini-series about the in-training Robin learning about the darkness that threatens and protects and calls to him, learning what Batman is really like and how to relate to him, and finally learning who he is and who he should become. I could have done with less of the overall “darkness” theme but this is a Batman book and what makes this one neat is the interplay between Batman/Bruce and young Robin/Dick. And, of course, Alfred!

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You're--you're a good boy. No matter what I've said, or how I've acted. I am very proud of you" .

Bro this line went crazy. Love the idea that Bruce was semi-coherent about his emotions when he adopted his first kid. I am so glad I decided to wait for the tp because I would not have been able to wait for each issue of this LOL. The artwork made me feel like I was literally reading someone's memories - it's stunning.

If there is ever a comic with the flying Graysons angst you best believe I will be participating!

[Thomas Bruso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything Lemire writes turns to gold. This is an enjoyable read. I want more comics.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it's easy to lose sight of what makes Robin interesting, but Lemire keeps the focus tight and the story on target. Dick is not Bruce. That is the driving force behind the story and makes for good fare.

The story goes beyond the snark and the clever quips and explores why Dick Grayson matters, not only in the mythos of Batman but as a character himself. It's extremely well made.

Also, I always appreciate a good use of Killer Croc.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Man, I can’t believe it’s almost been a year since I got this book. Well, I’ve finally read it. Awesome stuff. This is basically like a Robin/Dick Grayson origin story. Batman has adopted Dick and has been training him. He’s been being pretty hard on him putting Bruce and Alfred at odds a little. But I get it. He could die out here. There are some nice father/son moments in here that I thought Lemire did a really good job with and Dustin’s art with his water color feel add a nice something something to the book. The part where Batman took him up to the Justice League satellite and Robin’s interaction with the other kids up there was dope. Especially the convo Bats and Robin had when they got back. If you haven’t checked this one out yet, I suggest you do.

[ashwini · Rating 4 out of 5]

dick grayson i love u more than anything

[It's just Deano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going into this I wasn't really sure what to expect from Robin And Batman, but some creative teams just inspire blind faith from a reader - Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen are one such team.

I really liked this - the sombre mood and characterization of Robin are very well delivered. Sure, Batman can feel a little one-note in his interactions here, but it's great that the focus manages to stay on Dick Grayson throughout.

Needless to say, the art is beautiful - Nguyen's water colours are both vibrant and atmospheric - each panel is really a wonderful piece of work. It has heart and never feels flat.

That said, the story is a little linear and does feel very short, which feels like a bit of a shame. The tonality and enjoyment here screams maxi-series, so there's no doubt you'll be wanting more from this once finished.

Overall, this was a great early story for a young Dick Grayson and his first steps into putting on the Robin costume. It's impressive how personal this feels and how three dimensional a young Dick Grayson appears.
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My Score: 8/10
My Goodreads: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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[Michael Torres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written and illustrated by Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen. While only being three issues, it somehow manages to flesh out Richard and Bruce’s relationship perfectly. From seeing Robin as a soldier, and viewing things from the cold lens that only Bruce can; to Batman becoming softer as the story unfolds. The final issue is quite heart warming with Bruce finally seeing Richard as more than just a solider in his endless crusade to cleanse Gotham of the criminal element, to Richard himself realizing he doesn’t have to take the same route as Bruce and can be a light in Gotham.

Showcases the dichotomy the two have had for years: with Bruce being the cold, calculated soldier who uses fear tactics and his cunning mind to scare criminals; and Richard being full of humour, light hearted ness, and being more willing to give people a second chance to rise above.

[Thomas Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★ - it was great

I really enjoyed this—reading a Batman story from Robin’s perspective is something I don’t think I’ve ever done before. It felt unique and refreshing to me. Both the writing and art were on point; the art was a great blend of detailed, but not so detailed that it slowed down my reading pace. I also loved the water color style. Jeff Lemire’s writing impressed me, the story flowed easily and was super fun, especially in the second chapter when we get to see the entire JLA and Young Justice (or Teen Titans? I’m not sure).

Overall an excellent book that to me, sets itself apart in the overly saturated world of Batman stories.

[Jessica Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dick Grayson is my blatant favorite character and this shows his early days so well. All the conflict/tension between Alfred and Bruce on how Dick should be raised is excellent since typically Alfred's in a passive role in comics I've read. Not sure of Croc's origin story but I love him being a part of Haly's Circus. And was not expecting to see the first sidekick team up! Super fun. Excellent art style too. It reminds me of water colors

One thing that annoyed me was how the principal mentioned the tabloids running stories of Bruce adopting Dick yet the Calculator couldn't figure out who adopted him? Don't make people dumb just to build tension smh

[Lucille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Une mini série de 3 chapitres, hors continuité, qui revient sur la relation entre Bruce et Dick au tout début. Un apprentissage tant pour l'un que pour l'autre, la naissance du premier costume, la difficulté de se faire confiance ou de communiquer entre les deux... Un petit retour aux sources très sympa surtout grâce à la patte de Dustin Nguyen. Le duo m'avait conquis avec Descender et je suis ravie de les retrouver ici.

[Michael J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this re-telling of the early days of Dick Grayson as the ward of Bruce Wayne, his adjustments to new life, trouble fitting in at Gotham Academy, and trying his best to please his new father as he’s being trained to be Batman’s accomplice as Robin.

Heartfelt and touching. This is similar to a father trying to teach his son to drive, but of course the stakes are much higher. The story is modified to introduce Killer Croc as the murderer of Dick’s trapeze artist parents. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.