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All Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder #1
Book Released: 13 July 2005
Review posted: 26 July 2005
Writer: Frank Miller
Artist: Jim Lee
Publisher: DC Comics
3.25 out of 5 Stars
Reviewed by J. W. DeBolt Jr.
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In All Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder, Frank Miller
(Sin City, Batman: The Dark Night Returns) gives us his
take on the origin story of Robin, first told way back in Detective
#38 in 1940 (wow, Dick Grayson ought to be pushing 78 years old!),
and retold in Batman #213, Untold Legends of the Batman,
Secret Origins #13, Batman: Year Three, Robin Annual
#4, Legends of the Dark Knight #100 and probably elsewhere.
“The more this guy tells me,
the less I know.”
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As the first sidekick introduced by DC, Robin holds a special
place. His various origin retellings have added details and changed
their own history. This latest retelling is no different in that
respect.
The first issue of a series has the job of introducing the
characters, background, plot and mood of the title. When retelling an
origin tale, writers often ignore many points because they assume most
readers are familiar with the characters and background. This issue
leaves much unsaid, but it does provide depth to the character Vicki
Vale.
Beautiful reporter Vale bemoans Gotham City’s resident crime
fighter as a flying rodent who doesn’t even fly, while
Metropolis gets the Man of Steel. Yet her feelings for Batman’s
alter ego, Bruce Wayne, are far different, as shown when she accepts
his offer to take her to the circus. She’s like a schoolgirl
with a crush,
The Flying Graysons are performing at the circus, and young Dick is
confident that his parents will always be there to catch him, in more
ways than one. However, he finds that his confidence is misplaced as
they are murdered (in a different fashion — a Frank Miller-esque
fashion — from previous origin stories).
If you are a Lee or Miller fan,
you’ll want this.
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Bruce immediately feels a sympathetic bond to the boy while going
after the assassin, who turns out to be a hired flunkie. Batman is
dedicated, however, to finding who is responsible. Meanwhile, Dick is
taken away by corrupt policemen for reasons unknown.
I suppose the reason to release another retelling is the timing of
the new film Batman Begins (which I recommend!) and to use the
high quality writing of Frank Miller when it becomes available. The
artwork by Jim Lee (X-Men, WildC.A.T.s) is good,
providing a variety of views, such as two full-page panels, a two-page
montage, a figures-only rendition with no background (white).
Meanwhile, the action is dynamic and dramatic. If you are a Lee or
Miller fan, you’ll want this. As an origins tale it is bound by
the necessities of repeating origin tales (albeit with changes), but
the ending is exciting and you’ll be eager for the next issue.
—CCdC— Cover image used without explicit permission in accordance with the "Fair Use" provision of US copyright law.
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