There are a lot of comics out there, but some just stand out head and shoulders above the pack. With “Don’t Miss This” we want to spotlight those series we think need to be on your pull list. This week, we’re checking in on the son of Batman, Damian Wayne in his new ongoing series. Damian is continuing his recent streak of independence that has led him to a dangerous tournament hosted by his mother and grandfather. Find out exactly how much trouble Damian is in during our in-depth look at the new “Robin” series from DC Comics.
Who Is This By?
“Robin” is written by Joshua Williamson. Over the past couple of years, Williamson’s profile has been rising over at DC. DC has recently allowed Williamson to have greater creative control of his comics. Williamson is currently helming DC’s newest event known as “Infinite Frontier.” However, Robin is positioned as one of the most important Batman books currently due to the nature of Wayne’s position as Bruce’s son. With Williamson having so much control over continuity I’m expecting great things from this series! Williamson is joined by artist Gleb Melnikov who has been crafting more and more books at DC over the past couple of months. Melnikov has worked on DC titles mostly in the Batman sphere of DC. He’s worked on the main “Batman” title as well as “Batman and the Outsiders” and “Detective Comics.” Melnikov might be a newer DC creator but he still has lots of experience working with the publisher on comics in the same line.
What’s It All About?
Damian takes on his opponent The King Snake in a match that grants him access to The League of Lazarus tournament. The event is hosted on Lazarus Island which Damian’s mother and grandfather have control of. Wayne is cutting himself off from his father after a recent clash the two exposed Damian’s secrets behind the “Teen Titans.” Damian slowly starts to learn how brutal his competition is in the new tournament. Robin meets an old DC hero who has been absent from continuity for a long stretch of time. Robin even meets newer characters designed for this series who also happen to be incredibly deadly. Williamson has hinted that this comic series won’t always take place during the tournament in interviews. Right now “Robin” is primarily focused on his Lazarus origins and big fights. Damian has barely been able to keep up a fight with his opponents so the stakes are already high in this title.
What Makes It So Great?
At first, I was shocked by just how different the tone of this new “Robin” series is. Williamson and Melnikov inject the series with a primarily manga-influenced tone. The art and writing blend perfectly here for the wacky and violent tone of “Robin.” So far Damian has always felt like he’s been one step behind the others. Damian hasn’t been aware of just how violent and strong the other fighters are. Melnikov’s designs make these individuals look bright and violent. Damian is also not aware of how strong the other inhabitants on the island are. When Damian first meets Flatline the title goes in a much different direction. Williamson has done a great job hiding a surprise character for each issue that will keep readers vigilant. The mysteries of the island are a great way to put Damian’s character in a different setting.
Artist Gleb Melnikov’s art makes “Robin” feel really unique. Melnikov’s linework heavily favors style over substance. Melnikov’s best issue so far is #2. The splash page recapping the series plot is one of the best pages I have seen him draw. The page has great expressions and goes wild with the layout and structure of the title. At times, faces can be too distorted from Melnikov. Thankfully, the figures are always expressing emotion so it’s usually easy to interpret the action on the panel. The final page of issue #2 features a ton of characters posing in really unique ways that make the island feel alive. Melnikov’s facial features are too similar and I wish his line was more precise with anatomy. Overall Melnikov is a great choice for Williamson and I hope he continues to refine his linework and experiment on the page as much as possible. Melnikov’s artistic collaboration with Williamson hints at a promising direction.
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Fans who are looking for DC to have more connective tissue are really going to enjoy the references in other stories in “Robin.” Issue #3 in particular has a beautiful characterization that turns brutal really quickly. Williamson’s blend of old continuity mixed with new ideas is a trend that other writers need to adopt more closely. Giving a premise behind the series allows for a title to feel different right out of the gate. “Robin” is not just your average Gotham-focused Batman book that deals with punching a villain in every issue. Williamson has repeatedly taken risks in this series.
“Robin” is taking a huge manga influence with a tournament storyline. However, the difference between “Robin” and manga is the vast amount of history each character brings with them at DC. Trying to pick out each member of the tournament to trace back their origins and history is a major reason why this series is just so interesting. The issues occasionally feature a manga influence in the art as well that looks stunning. It is also fascinating to consider how this “Robin” links up with the core “Batman” title that also currently carries a huge manga influence. Damian is starting to grow closer with other heroes that are not part of his traditional supporting cast as well. I confidently feel that Damian’s interaction with Talia and Ra’s al Ghul will affect their relationship in future issues as well. “Robin” may seem like a lighter, action-based title at first but the greater DC connections quickly make this title more interesting and complex.
How Can You Read It?
You can pick up “Robin” by purchasing the physical and digital issues at your local comic book store. Issue #3 is on-sale today!
