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Batman: Miniseries
Batman and Robin: Year One
Billionaire Bruce Wayne is grappling with his new role as guardian to orphaned Dick Grayson, while Batman faces the challenge of unleashing Robin on Gotham's ruthless underworld!
Join superstars Mark Waid and Chris Samnee as they explore the earliest days of the Dynamic Duo!
The early years of Batman and Robin were anything but smooth sailing. Join fan-favorite creative duo Mark Waid and Chris Samnee as they explore the first year of Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson’s partnership, both as a newly minted father and son in the eyes of the public and as the crime-fighting Batman and Robin to the criminal underworld of Gotham City! Dick may be capable and enthusiastic, but does he have what it takes to stand up against the deadliest costumed villains the city has to offer? And Batman may be prepared for anything—but is he prepared to be responsible for the life and safety of a teenage sidekick?
Collecting Batman & Robin: Year One #1-12
Join superstars Mark Waid and Chris Samnee as they explore the earliest days of the Dynamic Duo!
The early years of Batman and Robin were anything but smooth sailing. Join fan-favorite creative duo Mark Waid and Chris Samnee as they explore the first year of Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson’s partnership, both as a newly minted father and son in the eyes of the public and as the crime-fighting Batman and Robin to the criminal underworld of Gotham City! Dick may be capable and enthusiastic, but does he have what it takes to stand up against the deadliest costumed villains the city has to offer? And Batman may be prepared for anything—but is he prepared to be responsible for the life and safety of a teenage sidekick?
Collecting Batman & Robin: Year One #1-12
340 pages, Hardcover
First published December 16, 2025
44 people are currently reading
241 people want to read
About the author
Mark Waid
3,193 books1,280 followersMark 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
December 19, 2025
95% of everything is crap, as a wise man once said. However, when I heard the creative team for my favorite Daredevil run in recent memory was doing a Batman& Robin book, I jumped on it. Was it was good as I thought it would be? No, it was better. Waid and Samnee tell a fun story about the early days of Batman and Robin taking on Two Face and a new crime lord, General Grimaldi. Samnee's art is top notch and Waid took his game to a high level. Realistically, the only gripe I have is that it's "only" twelve issues.
November 8, 2025
An early Bruce and Dick adventure that sees the iconic duo take on Grimaldi, a new player on the board, who aims to disrupt the Gotham crime families in a bid for power. Batman and Robin must also attempt to hide their identities both from the criminal underground and social services. Waid and Samnee have teamed up and proved, once again, that they are a creative force to be reckoned with. There's a lot of heart that pours from the writing and the art, and the tone and style lend itself well to the time period that is being explored. A colourful journey that makes really good use of its twelve issues, this is definitely worth a read.
October 31, 2025
This book is honestly fine, but it sure doesn't tell us anything special, which is a real letdown for a "Year One" story.
Let's talk about the good stuff. The art is fantastic. It's just so fun with great coloring, and the style absolutely fits this kind of origin tale. It’s simple at times, but it stands out and is incredibly energetic. Waid also really nailed the characters. His writing for Bruce and Dick is stellar, the dynamic feels incredibly well done and is easily the best part of the whole book.
Now for the bad. The plot feels completely lifeless. I seriously dislike the Two-Face storyline they went with, it just wasn't compelling. The biggest killer is the pacing, which is unbelievably dragged on. It feels like this entire story could (and should) have been a tighter six-issue arc, and it would have been way better for it. As it stands, it's a decent addition, but it's nothing to write home about. A solid 3 out of 5.
Let's talk about the good stuff. The art is fantastic. It's just so fun with great coloring, and the style absolutely fits this kind of origin tale. It’s simple at times, but it stands out and is incredibly energetic. Waid also really nailed the characters. His writing for Bruce and Dick is stellar, the dynamic feels incredibly well done and is easily the best part of the whole book.
Now for the bad. The plot feels completely lifeless. I seriously dislike the Two-Face storyline they went with, it just wasn't compelling. The biggest killer is the pacing, which is unbelievably dragged on. It feels like this entire story could (and should) have been a tighter six-issue arc, and it would have been way better for it. As it stands, it's a decent addition, but it's nothing to write home about. A solid 3 out of 5.
October 30, 2025
(read it as it was released)
Absolutely perfect from beginning to end. I'm so sad it's over but so glad I got to read such a beautiful comic featuring my favorite characters!!!! The dynamic duo!!!! And what a duo they make. Batman and Robin are such iconic characters and have so many comics retelling this first few years of Bruce and Dick's partnership, but I think I can say this one is a worth reading one for everyone trying to get into these characters and their stories (I know for sure I'm going to recommend it to all my friends! very beginner friendly hehe).
It feels so fresh and really fleshed out for only 12 issues. It doesn't shy away from showing the early conflict between Bruce and Dick and just how different they are despite sharing their trauma and grief. And it also shows, in such a beautiful and tender way, how important they are to each other, how much they care and how much they need each other. And you are shown this all throughout the 12 issues! Bruce protects Dick and Dick protects Bruce. They learn from each other. They learn to communicate and find common ground. And it's so so beautiful.
I love that it is such a human story in that sense. This is not just Batman and Robin fighting Two-Face and Clayface to protect Gotham. This is Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson getting visits from Child Protective Services; fighting to stay together; becoming something better because they have the other. There are many beautiful conversations throughout all the issues (with each other, with Alfred, even with Gordon!) that highlight this beautiful relationship and that go into both characters' feelings with each other and parenthood. Parenthood is treated in such a beautiful way. This comic both honors Dick's parents and how much they loved him and he loves them and also Bruce's struggles with raising a son. I really loved the involvement of CPS because I haven't seen it a lot in other comics I've read -I'm sure it's there and I just haven't read that much yet- but always wondered how that whole process was, so it was sooo interesting and gratifying to see it! Especially in the last issue (spoiler warning here until the end of this paragraph) with Bruce mentioning he actually wants to adopt Dick instead of "just" being his legal guardian. As I said, so so tender and sweet.
Alfred was great as well, especially that lovely scene he shares with Dick during Dick's mother's birthday. A beautiful highlight of how Dick processes and expresses his feelings and a scene I've found myself rereading quite a bunch of times!
Another thing I loved (this is just a list of that at this point): the constant mentions of Dick's circus upbringing! THANK YOU, MARK WAID!!!!! He walks a tightrope, he juggles 7 tennis balls, he trained with Dibny the Contortionist, he uses circus slang that no one else understands!!! There are soooo many details that paint the picture of who Dick Grayson is! You can't take the circus out of him and have the same character, and this comic paid respect to that in such a beautiful and constant way. He's a performer, he's a traumatized ten year old fighting crime, he's the light to Batman darkness (yes, he's also my favorite Robin, but what can I say? This duo is so iconic).
Now, villains. They were really good and compelling and made the story great! I was kinda skeptical about having three main villains for a 12 issues long story but found no big problem with the execution (some small ones but this is mostly about Bruce and Dick so I'm focusing on that). Also I may be biased because Two-Face is my favorite rogue and I LOOOOVED him in this.
To end this (frankly very long) review I am going to (once again) name something that I've loved about this comic. The art. The art is P.E.R.F.E.C.T. The art is so good that after reading a bunch of issues it made * me* feel like drawing for the first time in MONTHS. It's so expressive. The movement, the facial expressions (extra kudos cause Dick Grayson actually looks like a 10 year old and Bruce Wayne looks the most Bruce Wayne any Bruce Wayne has ever looked). The use of shadow and the contrast is so perfectly done. And the colors are so evocative and just work perfectly. I just feel like I could learn so much just by analyzing and looking at every single illustration in this comic. Chris Samnee and Matheus Lopes MY GOATS
Anyway. Loved this comic. Will 100% reread. Will 100% recommend it to anyone. Loved it.
Absolutely perfect from beginning to end. I'm so sad it's over but so glad I got to read such a beautiful comic featuring my favorite characters!!!! The dynamic duo!!!! And what a duo they make. Batman and Robin are such iconic characters and have so many comics retelling this first few years of Bruce and Dick's partnership, but I think I can say this one is a worth reading one for everyone trying to get into these characters and their stories (I know for sure I'm going to recommend it to all my friends! very beginner friendly hehe).
It feels so fresh and really fleshed out for only 12 issues. It doesn't shy away from showing the early conflict between Bruce and Dick and just how different they are despite sharing their trauma and grief. And it also shows, in such a beautiful and tender way, how important they are to each other, how much they care and how much they need each other. And you are shown this all throughout the 12 issues! Bruce protects Dick and Dick protects Bruce. They learn from each other. They learn to communicate and find common ground. And it's so so beautiful.
I love that it is such a human story in that sense. This is not just Batman and Robin fighting Two-Face and Clayface to protect Gotham. This is Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson getting visits from Child Protective Services; fighting to stay together; becoming something better because they have the other. There are many beautiful conversations throughout all the issues (with each other, with Alfred, even with Gordon!) that highlight this beautiful relationship and that go into both characters' feelings with each other and parenthood. Parenthood is treated in such a beautiful way. This comic both honors Dick's parents and how much they loved him and he loves them and also Bruce's struggles with raising a son. I really loved the involvement of CPS because I haven't seen it a lot in other comics I've read -I'm sure it's there and I just haven't read that much yet- but always wondered how that whole process was, so it was sooo interesting and gratifying to see it! Especially in the last issue (spoiler warning here until the end of this paragraph) with Bruce mentioning he actually wants to adopt Dick instead of "just" being his legal guardian. As I said, so so tender and sweet.
Alfred was great as well, especially that lovely scene he shares with Dick during Dick's mother's birthday. A beautiful highlight of how Dick processes and expresses his feelings and a scene I've found myself rereading quite a bunch of times!
Another thing I loved (this is just a list of that at this point): the constant mentions of Dick's circus upbringing! THANK YOU, MARK WAID!!!!! He walks a tightrope, he juggles 7 tennis balls, he trained with Dibny the Contortionist, he uses circus slang that no one else understands!!! There are soooo many details that paint the picture of who Dick Grayson is! You can't take the circus out of him and have the same character, and this comic paid respect to that in such a beautiful and constant way. He's a performer, he's a traumatized ten year old fighting crime, he's the light to Batman darkness (yes, he's also my favorite Robin, but what can I say? This duo is so iconic).
Now, villains. They were really good and compelling and made the story great! I was kinda skeptical about having three main villains for a 12 issues long story but found no big problem with the execution (some small ones but this is mostly about Bruce and Dick so I'm focusing on that). Also I may be biased because Two-Face is my favorite rogue and I LOOOOVED him in this.
To end this (frankly very long) review I am going to (once again) name something that I've loved about this comic. The art. The art is P.E.R.F.E.C.T. The art is so good that after reading a bunch of issues it made * me* feel like drawing for the first time in MONTHS. It's so expressive. The movement, the facial expressions (extra kudos cause Dick Grayson actually looks like a 10 year old and Bruce Wayne looks the most Bruce Wayne any Bruce Wayne has ever looked). The use of shadow and the contrast is so perfectly done. And the colors are so evocative and just work perfectly. I just feel like I could learn so much just by analyzing and looking at every single illustration in this comic. Chris Samnee and Matheus Lopes MY GOATS
Anyway. Loved this comic. Will 100% reread. Will 100% recommend it to anyone. Loved it.
November 19, 2025
No puedo describir lo feliz que me hizo este cómic.
Es muy tierno, me hizo reír y es el ejemplo perfecto de como debería ser una historia de Batman y Robin: profundiza en su relación y lo importantes que son el uno para el otro, al mismo tiempo que los vemos como iguales al momento de luchar.
Ahora me va a costar leer una historia de Batman si no hay un Robin, porque amo muchísimo al dúo dinámico.
Es muy tierno, me hizo reír y es el ejemplo perfecto de como debería ser una historia de Batman y Robin: profundiza en su relación y lo importantes que son el uno para el otro, al mismo tiempo que los vemos como iguales al momento de luchar.
Ahora me va a costar leer una historia de Batman si no hay un Robin, porque amo muchísimo al dúo dinámico.
December 11, 2025
«Бетмен і Робін: Рік перший» від Марка Вейда та Кріса Самні — це динамічне та глибоке переосмислення початкових кроків культового дуету. На перший погляд це класична історія походження одного з Робінів, але Вейд і Самні роблять акцент на тому, що за масками стоять двоє людей, кожен із яких проходить власний шлях трансформації. Брюс Вейн, звиклий до самотності та контролю, несподівано опиняється в ролі опікуна й наставника, тоді як юний Дік Ґрейсон намагається знайти своє місце в новому світі, де біль втрати стикається з можливістю знову відчути родину.
Сюжет розгортається жваво та гармонійно, підкреслюючи контраст між «Брюсом і Діком» та «Бетменом і Робіном». Удень це двоє людей, які вчаться довіряти один одному, долати власні страхи й будувати контакт, що нагадує батьківсько-синівський. Уночі партнери, які вимушені діяти в жорстоких умовах Ґотема, де ніхто не збирається поблажливо ставитися до підлітка в яскравому костюмі. Саме ця напруга між турботою й небезпекою формує емоційну основу історії. Ми бачимо, як Дік, сповнений енергії та природної харизми, прагне довести свою здатність бути героєм, тоді як Брюс, часто мовчазний і стриманий, вчиться приймати факт, що він відповідальна особа в житті хлопця.
Кріс Самні майстерно вибудовує візуальну мову коміксу, створюючи ефектний ритм кадрування, який підсилює як емоційні сцени, так і екшн-послідовності. Його лаконічний, але виразний стиль дозволяє легко відчитувати настрій персонажів, а обмежена, продумана палітра робить атмосферу більш глибокою.
Вейд і Самні пропонують історію, яка не лише розважає, а й дозволяє заново поглянути на становлення одного з найвідоміших героїчних дуетів у коміксах. Це оповідь про довіру, відповідальність, молодість і важкі уроки, які неминуче супроводжують дорослішання. І для юного акробата, і для закритого мільярдера. Комікс залишає яскраве враження й однозначно вартий того, щоб його прочитали як давні шанувальники Бетмена, так і нові читачі, які хочуть зануритись у витоки цих героїв.
Сюжет розгортається жваво та гармонійно, підкреслюючи контраст між «Брюсом і Діком» та «Бетменом і Робіном». Удень це двоє людей, які вчаться довіряти один одному, долати власні страхи й будувати контакт, що нагадує батьківсько-синівський. Уночі партнери, які вимушені діяти в жорстоких умовах Ґотема, де ніхто не збирається поблажливо ставитися до підлітка в яскравому костюмі. Саме ця напруга між турботою й небезпекою формує емоційну основу історії. Ми бачимо, як Дік, сповнений енергії та природної харизми, прагне довести свою здатність бути героєм, тоді як Брюс, часто мовчазний і стриманий, вчиться приймати факт, що він відповідальна особа в житті хлопця.
Кріс Самні майстерно вибудовує візуальну мову коміксу, створюючи ефектний ритм кадрування, який підсилює як емоційні сцени, так і екшн-послідовності. Його лаконічний, але виразний стиль дозволяє легко відчитувати настрій персонажів, а обмежена, продумана палітра робить атмосферу більш глибокою.
Вейд і Самні пропонують історію, яка не лише розважає, а й дозволяє заново поглянути на становлення одного з найвідоміших героїчних дуетів у коміксах. Це оповідь про довіру, відповідальність, молодість і важкі уроки, які неминуче супроводжують дорослішання. І для юного акробата, і для закритого мільярдера. Комікс залишає яскраве враження й однозначно вартий того, щоб його прочитали як давні шанувальники Бетмена, так і нові читачі, які хочуть зануритись у витоки цих героїв.
January 1, 2026
I loved this book. I did not particularly like the Batman Year One series, but this one was perfect.
Bruce Wayne had adopted young Dick Grayson. Joined by a familiar tragedy but these two could not be more different and the differences will force each of them to change.
A new player has entered Gotham. However an old player could be pulling the strings. Gotham is a city at war and Robin has been enlisted. Is Batman ready for the responsibility of not just a partner but a son?
I am so used to seeing Dick Graydon as the together hero he has become. It is interesting to look at the transition he has made from his circus to society. He is raw and hyperactive. He leaps before he looks and never worries about the fall.
This is a great book. Loved all twelve chapters/issues. Great artwork, great story and character development. The book finishes with a varient cover gallery.
Bruce Wayne had adopted young Dick Grayson. Joined by a familiar tragedy but these two could not be more different and the differences will force each of them to change.
A new player has entered Gotham. However an old player could be pulling the strings. Gotham is a city at war and Robin has been enlisted. Is Batman ready for the responsibility of not just a partner but a son?
I am so used to seeing Dick Graydon as the together hero he has become. It is interesting to look at the transition he has made from his circus to society. He is raw and hyperactive. He leaps before he looks and never worries about the fall.
This is a great book. Loved all twelve chapters/issues. Great artwork, great story and character development. The book finishes with a varient cover gallery.
October 15, 2025
<3
(reading at its released)
(reading at its released)
December 19, 2025
This is an excellent year one story. It starts a little after Bruce has adopted Dick and shows the early stages of their relationship. Over the 12 issues a lot is covered and there’s a fair bit of nuance to how things are handled. Dick is never presented as overly bratty but instead shown to be struggling with grief and how Bruce sees himself in Dick. Their relationship isn’t wrought with arguments and you see how Batman often treats Robin with respect. Waists writing goes hand in hand with Samnee’s sublime art work that throughout. Samnee is able to convey so much emotion/ vibe with subtle facial expressions - it’s really enjoyable.
Waid and Samnee are very much their own dynamic duo yet again!
Waid and Samnee are very much their own dynamic duo yet again!
December 23, 2025
Although he has been around for almost as long as Batman, there have been times when his sidekick Robin has received backlashes. For a good section of the fandom, they prefer Batman as a lone, brooding vigilante who doesn’t hang out with a child whose brightly coloured costume resembles that of a circus performer. Considering that Batman as a comic book character was made for children from his 1939 inception, the creation of Robin was a way of maintaining that youthful audience. As the mantle of Robin would be passed down over the decades, Dick Grayson will always be the one that most would turn towards as the favourite, since he was the one that started it all.
From the creators of one of the best Daredevil runs in recent Marvel memory, writer Mark Waid and artist Chris Samnee reunite for a twelve-issue limited series that puts its own spin on the Dynamic Duo’s first year. Usually when it comes to DC’s comics that are subtitled “Year One”, it is usually to tell an origin story of one of the publisher’s most iconic superheroes, starting with the seminal Batman: Year One. However, we’ve already had titles like Batman: Dark Victory and Robin: Year One, both of which are their own take of Grayson’s origins from an orphaned circus acrobat to the Boy Wonder.
While there are brief flashbacks to the tragedies that defined both Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson, from the first issue of Batman and Robin: Year One, Waid jumps right into the first night of the Dynamic Duo, which starts with Commissioner Gordon questioning why Batman has this kid sidekick, to then battling Two-Face, which doesn’t pan out well. As Bruce is learning to adapt with a young partner fighting crime alongside him, as well as becoming a legal guardian to a boy who went through the same tragedy as he did, there is also a new threat in the shape of the General who is planning to shake up Gotham’s criminal underworld.
Usually with Year One comics, they range from four to six issues that are structured into a narrative that spans across an entire year. But in the case of this twelve-issue series, you could argue that Waid is being loose with the one-year structure as by the time we are in issue #4, it is September, in which Dick reluctantly gets ready for his first day of school. That said, these twelve issues never lost interest in balancing a story that is both a crime epic that is appropriate for Gotham, as well as a character piece about family and grief.
If you know anything about Mark Waid, he is not a cynical writer, even when tackling a character like Batman as evidenced in his currently published series Batman/Superman: World’s Finest, which feels like a modern update to the Silver Age adventures of the two titular heroes. In the case of Year One, it owes a debt to DC’s Golden Age through the main narrative of Batman and Robin investigating General Grimaldi and the gang war he’s orchestrating in Gotham.
As a new creation, Waid does a great job in establishing Grimaldi’s presence as an outsider who went from a dishonourable discharged soldier to a crime boss doing a power play on all the city’s mob bosses, all of which seems driven by a hatred towards his own father who is left in a frail state on a wheelchair. That said, Waid makes a strange decision later in the series to sideline the character in favour of more appearances of classic villains who are used well but does suffer from a lack of ambition that really challenges the dynamic duo on a personal level.
However, the family soap opera is simply wonderful in exploring how the relationship between Bruce and Dick changes throughout and how they influence one another, both with and without the mask. Whilst you have supporting characters like Alfred serving as a witty but touching third wheel and Laura Lyn from Child Protective Services who refreshingly doesn’t become a love interest for Bruce, it is that dynamic (no pun intended) between the two leads that is the heart of the story. Waid elegantly examines important questions like whether or not Bruce is actually a responsible adult by mentoring Dick as a crimefighter, whilst Dick himself learns what it means to be a crimefighter who never loses sight what is at stake but never loses his playful side.
Even with the dark crime stuff sprinkled here and there, Waid and Samnee never forgets the absurdist fun that reminds you Batman can be a character of superheroic theatrics. Samnee’s art, in particular, brings a refreshing visual style that fits well with the story’s noir aesthetic with a strong emphasis on black ink, although Matheus Lopes’ colouring pops out in spectacular ways. In fact, that visual contrast is also apparent in both Batman and Robin themselves, with the former presented almost entirely in a black silhouette with white slits for eyes, whilst the latter whose costume pops with colour and you can see his eyes through the domino mask.
As well as touching upon Golden Age lore, Batman & Robin: Year One is a tribute to the eighty-year-plus history of the two characters through comics and other media, from the aforementioned Batman: Year One to the 60s Adam West TV series, though its references never feel like empty fan service. It may not be perfect, but Mark Waid and Chris Samnee put their own singular spin on Batman and his world that is fun and moving, without having to go down the typical route of dark and gritty.
From the creators of one of the best Daredevil runs in recent Marvel memory, writer Mark Waid and artist Chris Samnee reunite for a twelve-issue limited series that puts its own spin on the Dynamic Duo’s first year. Usually when it comes to DC’s comics that are subtitled “Year One”, it is usually to tell an origin story of one of the publisher’s most iconic superheroes, starting with the seminal Batman: Year One. However, we’ve already had titles like Batman: Dark Victory and Robin: Year One, both of which are their own take of Grayson’s origins from an orphaned circus acrobat to the Boy Wonder.
While there are brief flashbacks to the tragedies that defined both Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson, from the first issue of Batman and Robin: Year One, Waid jumps right into the first night of the Dynamic Duo, which starts with Commissioner Gordon questioning why Batman has this kid sidekick, to then battling Two-Face, which doesn’t pan out well. As Bruce is learning to adapt with a young partner fighting crime alongside him, as well as becoming a legal guardian to a boy who went through the same tragedy as he did, there is also a new threat in the shape of the General who is planning to shake up Gotham’s criminal underworld.
Usually with Year One comics, they range from four to six issues that are structured into a narrative that spans across an entire year. But in the case of this twelve-issue series, you could argue that Waid is being loose with the one-year structure as by the time we are in issue #4, it is September, in which Dick reluctantly gets ready for his first day of school. That said, these twelve issues never lost interest in balancing a story that is both a crime epic that is appropriate for Gotham, as well as a character piece about family and grief.
If you know anything about Mark Waid, he is not a cynical writer, even when tackling a character like Batman as evidenced in his currently published series Batman/Superman: World’s Finest, which feels like a modern update to the Silver Age adventures of the two titular heroes. In the case of Year One, it owes a debt to DC’s Golden Age through the main narrative of Batman and Robin investigating General Grimaldi and the gang war he’s orchestrating in Gotham.
As a new creation, Waid does a great job in establishing Grimaldi’s presence as an outsider who went from a dishonourable discharged soldier to a crime boss doing a power play on all the city’s mob bosses, all of which seems driven by a hatred towards his own father who is left in a frail state on a wheelchair. That said, Waid makes a strange decision later in the series to sideline the character in favour of more appearances of classic villains who are used well but does suffer from a lack of ambition that really challenges the dynamic duo on a personal level.
However, the family soap opera is simply wonderful in exploring how the relationship between Bruce and Dick changes throughout and how they influence one another, both with and without the mask. Whilst you have supporting characters like Alfred serving as a witty but touching third wheel and Laura Lyn from Child Protective Services who refreshingly doesn’t become a love interest for Bruce, it is that dynamic (no pun intended) between the two leads that is the heart of the story. Waid elegantly examines important questions like whether or not Bruce is actually a responsible adult by mentoring Dick as a crimefighter, whilst Dick himself learns what it means to be a crimefighter who never loses sight what is at stake but never loses his playful side.
Even with the dark crime stuff sprinkled here and there, Waid and Samnee never forgets the absurdist fun that reminds you Batman can be a character of superheroic theatrics. Samnee’s art, in particular, brings a refreshing visual style that fits well with the story’s noir aesthetic with a strong emphasis on black ink, although Matheus Lopes’ colouring pops out in spectacular ways. In fact, that visual contrast is also apparent in both Batman and Robin themselves, with the former presented almost entirely in a black silhouette with white slits for eyes, whilst the latter whose costume pops with colour and you can see his eyes through the domino mask.
As well as touching upon Golden Age lore, Batman & Robin: Year One is a tribute to the eighty-year-plus history of the two characters through comics and other media, from the aforementioned Batman: Year One to the 60s Adam West TV series, though its references never feel like empty fan service. It may not be perfect, but Mark Waid and Chris Samnee put their own singular spin on Batman and his world that is fun and moving, without having to go down the typical route of dark and gritty.
January 1, 2026
A welcome addition to "The Essential Batman" reading list. Waid and Samnee have created a timeless story that could exist in just about any era of the caped crusader. Something I don't think has been nailed since Loeb and Sale created The Long Halloween.
The introduction of General Grimaldi as a new batman villain is seemless, where other creators ham-fist their OCs into the plot without grace, Waid created a villain so fitting I had to double check he wasn't a reinvention from a previous era. The only other great example that comes to mind is Mime and Marionette is Geoff John's (terrible) Doomsday Clock.
The style of Samnee's art means the Batman, Gotham and, it's citizens have a style out of time. It doesn't evoke the 40s, 70s, or the 00s, but it does evoke Gotham as a unique modern gothic entity. Something that is often forgotten is that Gotham is part of the insanity, its layered, modern on old, supervillains layered over the mafia layered over lunacy.
It's impossible to not compare this story to Dark Victory which was previously the defacto Robin origin story, and while I don't think it's as iconic as that story, it does a much better job exploring the intricacies of Dick Grayson and Bruce Wayne's relationship. It wasn't an overnight change, introducing Dick to a life of crime fighting, especially when inheriting the Wayne family's unresolved trauma.
This goes on the shelf with Batman Year One, Long Halloween, Knightfall, Killing Joke, etc. A very welcome addition to Batman history.
The introduction of General Grimaldi as a new batman villain is seemless, where other creators ham-fist their OCs into the plot without grace, Waid created a villain so fitting I had to double check he wasn't a reinvention from a previous era. The only other great example that comes to mind is Mime and Marionette is Geoff John's (terrible) Doomsday Clock.
The style of Samnee's art means the Batman, Gotham and, it's citizens have a style out of time. It doesn't evoke the 40s, 70s, or the 00s, but it does evoke Gotham as a unique modern gothic entity. Something that is often forgotten is that Gotham is part of the insanity, its layered, modern on old, supervillains layered over the mafia layered over lunacy.
It's impossible to not compare this story to Dark Victory which was previously the defacto Robin origin story, and while I don't think it's as iconic as that story, it does a much better job exploring the intricacies of Dick Grayson and Bruce Wayne's relationship. It wasn't an overnight change, introducing Dick to a life of crime fighting, especially when inheriting the Wayne family's unresolved trauma.
This goes on the shelf with Batman Year One, Long Halloween, Knightfall, Killing Joke, etc. A very welcome addition to Batman history.
December 26, 2025
What a joy it is to finally see Chris Samnee draw a Batman book, at least for an entire year. Samnee regularly picked Batman as his go-to character for his Inktober sketches each October, so to finally see him unleashed on the Caped Crusader—and with his old Daredevil partner, Mark Waid, doing the scripts—resulted in one of my favorite series of 2025. The storyline takes place right after Dick Grayson—Robin—joins Batman in his crusade against crime in Gotham City, and includes Two-Face, Clayface, and a new villain, The General, who tries to take over Gothem. I think this is Samnee’s best art in years, too, since his long stint on Daredevil a decade ago. His lean, graphic style is totally suited for the Dark Knight and his and Waid’s story collaboration is one of the better Bat-stories of the past decade. Totally worth picking up in the TPB version, but I’m hoping for a deluxe hardbound volume further down the line. In the meantime, this'll do nicely, thanks.
January 9, 2026
The art style is SO CUTE I get cuteness aggression every time I look at Robin.
I love how the relationship between Bruce and Dick is written here, with tired parent Bruce who doesn’t know wtf he’s doing, and hyperactive child Dick who rushes into danger without a second thought and drives Bruce crazy. Perfect.
“Look out, Gotham! Here comes the dynamic duo!”
The ending got me smiling so wide my cheeks hurt!! I love Batman and Robin so much. This comic did them justice and has become one of my favs!
I love how the relationship between Bruce and Dick is written here, with tired parent Bruce who doesn’t know wtf he’s doing, and hyperactive child Dick who rushes into danger without a second thought and drives Bruce crazy. Perfect.
“Look out, Gotham! Here comes the dynamic duo!”
The ending got me smiling so wide my cheeks hurt!! I love Batman and Robin so much. This comic did them justice and has become one of my favs!
January 11, 2026
I had my doubts about this because the comic book industry has been on the ropes for several years now, but it caught my interest as soon as it was announced, so I waited until it was fully released to read it.
So?
What a great story! Batman works better when he is facing simple crime and not hyper super humans, besides, I'm tired of the Joker. Also, it was excellent to see him acting like a human and father figure to Dick, instead of just "Batman". Again, Batman works better when he is Bruce Wayne in a mask and not the contrary.
So?
What a great story! Batman works better when he is facing simple crime and not hyper super humans, besides, I'm tired of the Joker. Also, it was excellent to see him acting like a human and father figure to Dick, instead of just "Batman". Again, Batman works better when he is Bruce Wayne in a mask and not the contrary.
December 23, 2025
Waid I wasn’t familiar with your game, it’s time to read your classics sooner than later 🙏
November 1, 2025
I think this didn't need to be 12 issues long but, damn, who am I to complain about getting more pages of Samnee's gorgeous art?
December 19, 2025
Full of small cute little moments but overall the plot is very forgettable. Mid af.
January 12, 2026
I’m having a tough time envisioning any other book topping one this year.
Waid and Samnee created an instant classic. When Waid writes nostalgia well, it's a home run.
Waid and Samnee created an instant classic. When Waid writes nostalgia well, it's a home run.
January 2, 2026
Best Batman story I've read in a long time. Reminds me of late bronze age Batman and the Barr/Davis stories from Detective Comics, the highest compliment I can give.
November 11, 2025
I think this was my favorite comic this year - good story, great art. An excellent Batman book. 🙌
🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇
🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇
November 4, 2025
This was so cuteee I love baby grayson and how soft Batman is with him
November 2, 2025
that was so cuteeee
July 18, 2025
the art is so scrumptious i love the young dick batman era
(read as it was released)
(read as it was released)
Read
August 19, 2025incredible 10/10 no notes
(reading as it's released)
(reading as it's released)
November 4, 2025
I read this a couple days back and it was a pretty fun read getting to see Bruce and dick team up and like their early team ups and all and like ones concern for the other and I love their dynamic right from the get go and trying to prevent this gang war happening in Gotham with the arrival of this new criminal General Grimaldi and we get to see his past and all that and then his planning using Clayface to ignite a war between the five gotham mafia families and all that and the bloodshed it leads to and how they.. aka the dynamic duo stop it!
And then the whole thing with CPS and will they take Dick away from Bruce and I like how waid explores the fragility between them like does he not know how to be a father and the struggles of it and there was that moment with Gordon I really liked.. they nailed that wiht it and also Alfred getting super concerned for the child and would call Bruce out for it if he was ignoring Dick and I love the grand parent Alfred!! It was so well done!
Then the villain plot was not that great as i thought General Grimaldi would stand out with all his ambitions to take over Gotham but the way he was taken out was cheap but there was a cool focus on Clay-face as him wanting a cure and later on with wo-face controlling the city following Grimaldis plan and lets just say it was abrupt.. it could have been handled better!!
Also feel like 12 was stretching it like the story could easily have been told in 6 and so after a while its like exhausting but tbh Samnee's art was great and thats like the high point of this series and why I loved it a lot!!
I highly recommend it for Samnee's art and its a good one time read exploring Batman and Robin's early team up!!
And then the whole thing with CPS and will they take Dick away from Bruce and I like how waid explores the fragility between them like does he not know how to be a father and the struggles of it and there was that moment with Gordon I really liked.. they nailed that wiht it and also Alfred getting super concerned for the child and would call Bruce out for it if he was ignoring Dick and I love the grand parent Alfred!! It was so well done!
Then the villain plot was not that great as i thought General Grimaldi would stand out with all his ambitions to take over Gotham but the way he was taken out was cheap but there was a cool focus on Clay-face as him wanting a cure and later on with wo-face controlling the city following Grimaldis plan and lets just say it was abrupt.. it could have been handled better!!
Also feel like 12 was stretching it like the story could easily have been told in 6 and so after a while its like exhausting but tbh Samnee's art was great and thats like the high point of this series and why I loved it a lot!!
I highly recommend it for Samnee's art and its a good one time read exploring Batman and Robin's early team up!!
December 27, 2025
... This book is a blast.
I love it! I love it I love it I love it. Waid really explores the complexities of taking on a kid sidekick, from visits by Child Protective Services to the fact that he makes an easy hostage for criminals to use as leverage against Batman. (Not to mention the fact that Commissioner Gordon would surely be a little put upon once he learned that Bats had recruited an adolescent partner.) And it also deals with Bruce essentially having to learn to be a parent-- having to wrangle and communicate with this impulsive, irrational child after spending his whole life focused only on his singular goal of crime-fighting. Waid really digs into the parent/child relationship in a way that most writers never do.
I also just love how Chris Samnee's simple linework with heavy shadows and Matheus Lopes's muted color scheme deliberately invoke David Mazzucchelli's work on Batman: Year One-- both framing this as a continuation of that story and creating the impression that Robin is intruding on that earlier work, a brighter figure of whimsy standing out in a grim world of reality.
Robin is wildly underrated IMO, and I love how Mark Waid and Chris Samnee successfully illustrate how adopting the Boy Wonder as his ward is actually the next, necessary step in Batman's growth as a character. Brooding, loner Batman needs someone to care about, to finally bring him out of his shell and get him to reconnect with his humanity. This book shows how essential a step this is for the character's growth.
Easily the best new book I've read all year.
I love it! I love it I love it I love it. Waid really explores the complexities of taking on a kid sidekick, from visits by Child Protective Services to the fact that he makes an easy hostage for criminals to use as leverage against Batman. (Not to mention the fact that Commissioner Gordon would surely be a little put upon once he learned that Bats had recruited an adolescent partner.) And it also deals with Bruce essentially having to learn to be a parent-- having to wrangle and communicate with this impulsive, irrational child after spending his whole life focused only on his singular goal of crime-fighting. Waid really digs into the parent/child relationship in a way that most writers never do.
I also just love how Chris Samnee's simple linework with heavy shadows and Matheus Lopes's muted color scheme deliberately invoke David Mazzucchelli's work on Batman: Year One-- both framing this as a continuation of that story and creating the impression that Robin is intruding on that earlier work, a brighter figure of whimsy standing out in a grim world of reality.
Robin is wildly underrated IMO, and I love how Mark Waid and Chris Samnee successfully illustrate how adopting the Boy Wonder as his ward is actually the next, necessary step in Batman's growth as a character. Brooding, loner Batman needs someone to care about, to finally bring him out of his shell and get him to reconnect with his humanity. This book shows how essential a step this is for the character's growth.
Easily the best new book I've read all year.
November 18, 2025
Year One Continues: Where Stories Become Myth
Mark Waid and Chris Samnee’s Batman and Robin: Year One is a masterclass in serialized superhero storytelling—an emotionally rich, visually stunning chronicle of Dick Grayson’s first year as Robin. Across twelve issues, the creative team delivers a narrative that’s both a throwback to the Silver Age and a modern meditation on legacy, mentorship, and the cost of heroism.
The series opens with the raw energy of a young Dick Grayson stepping into the shadow of the Bat. Waid captures his voice with clarity: brash, hopeful, and fiercely independent. This isn’t just a sidekick origin—it’s a coming-of-age tale that charts Robin’s evolution from acrobat to detective, from student to partner. Bruce Wayne, meanwhile, is portrayed with a stoic gravitas that never slips into caricature. Their relationship is the emotional spine of the book, and it’s tested by both internal tension and external threats.
And those threats are formidable. Year One wisely avoids the cosmic or multiversal, instead grounding its stakes in Gotham’s underworld. The crime families looms large, representing the entrenched corruption that Batman has sworn to dismantle. Their presence gives the early issues a noir flavor, with back-alley brawls, smoky warehouses, and moral ambiguity. But the series doesn’t stop at mobsters.
Two-Face emerges midway through the run, and his arc is chilling. Waid leans into Harvey Dent’s criminal genius here: one standout issue sees Dick forced to make a life-or-death decision under Two-Face’s twisted moral logic.
The final act escalates with the surprise but welcome development of Clayface (Matthew Hagen here, not Basil Karlo), whose monstrous form and shape-shifting abilities push the series into horror-tinged territory. Man, I love Clayface - probably my favorite villain. His assault on Gotham is both physical and symbolic—a city drowning in corruption, now literally consumed by mud and illusion. Batman and Robin’s battle through a horde of clay monsters in the finale is spectacularly well illustrated.
Chris Samnee’s art is the soul of this series. His clean lines, expressive faces, and cinematic compositions evoke Batman: The Animated Series while carving out a style all his own. Gotham is rendered in deep shadows and stark silhouettes, with a minimalist elegance that lets emotion and action shine. Samnee’s Robin is a joy to behold—fluid, acrobatic, and full of personality. His Batman is iconic and imposing, often framed like a silent guardian in the background. The use of negative space and panel rhythm is masterful, especially in the quieter moments: a rooftop conversation, a silent stare, a flick of the coin.
This series pairs beautifully with this year's standout series Batman: Dark Patterns, forming a thematic diptych about legacy and identity. Together, they mark a high point for the Bat-mythos in recent years. If DC ever releases a deluxe hardcover of this, it will likely sell for decades like Batman: Year One, Dark Victory, or Robin: Reborn—this was a modern classic in the making and we knew it in the first arc.
Reading these in floppy format was a nostalgic thrill. Each cover (especially Samnee’s variants) felt substanstial. I feel lucky to have experienced it this way.
Mark Waid and Chris Samnee’s Batman and Robin: Year One is a masterclass in serialized superhero storytelling—an emotionally rich, visually stunning chronicle of Dick Grayson’s first year as Robin. Across twelve issues, the creative team delivers a narrative that’s both a throwback to the Silver Age and a modern meditation on legacy, mentorship, and the cost of heroism.
The series opens with the raw energy of a young Dick Grayson stepping into the shadow of the Bat. Waid captures his voice with clarity: brash, hopeful, and fiercely independent. This isn’t just a sidekick origin—it’s a coming-of-age tale that charts Robin’s evolution from acrobat to detective, from student to partner. Bruce Wayne, meanwhile, is portrayed with a stoic gravitas that never slips into caricature. Their relationship is the emotional spine of the book, and it’s tested by both internal tension and external threats.
And those threats are formidable. Year One wisely avoids the cosmic or multiversal, instead grounding its stakes in Gotham’s underworld. The crime families looms large, representing the entrenched corruption that Batman has sworn to dismantle. Their presence gives the early issues a noir flavor, with back-alley brawls, smoky warehouses, and moral ambiguity. But the series doesn’t stop at mobsters.
Two-Face emerges midway through the run, and his arc is chilling. Waid leans into Harvey Dent’s criminal genius here: one standout issue sees Dick forced to make a life-or-death decision under Two-Face’s twisted moral logic.
The final act escalates with the surprise but welcome development of Clayface (Matthew Hagen here, not Basil Karlo), whose monstrous form and shape-shifting abilities push the series into horror-tinged territory. Man, I love Clayface - probably my favorite villain. His assault on Gotham is both physical and symbolic—a city drowning in corruption, now literally consumed by mud and illusion. Batman and Robin’s battle through a horde of clay monsters in the finale is spectacularly well illustrated.
Chris Samnee’s art is the soul of this series. His clean lines, expressive faces, and cinematic compositions evoke Batman: The Animated Series while carving out a style all his own. Gotham is rendered in deep shadows and stark silhouettes, with a minimalist elegance that lets emotion and action shine. Samnee’s Robin is a joy to behold—fluid, acrobatic, and full of personality. His Batman is iconic and imposing, often framed like a silent guardian in the background. The use of negative space and panel rhythm is masterful, especially in the quieter moments: a rooftop conversation, a silent stare, a flick of the coin.
This series pairs beautifully with this year's standout series Batman: Dark Patterns, forming a thematic diptych about legacy and identity. Together, they mark a high point for the Bat-mythos in recent years. If DC ever releases a deluxe hardcover of this, it will likely sell for decades like Batman: Year One, Dark Victory, or Robin: Reborn—this was a modern classic in the making and we knew it in the first arc.
Reading these in floppy format was a nostalgic thrill. Each cover (especially Samnee’s variants) felt substanstial. I feel lucky to have experienced it this way.
January 6, 2026
Batman and Robin Year One
A companion piece to Miller’s superb Batman Year One from forty years ago. A book that helped redefine Batman comics over the last four decades.
That original volume had a grim and gritty flavour and was more of a crime story with a sprinkling of Batman. The antagonists were all gangsters and mob bosses without a supervillain in sight.
In contrast this new book has more of a Silver Age feel and is a lot more fun.
Wholly appropriate given this story adds a boy sidekick and the mobsters are joined by Two-face and Clayface as the bad guys.
Having twelve issues to play with allows the story plenty of space to evolve. The dialogue is sharp and laugh-out-loud funny in places.
Mark Wade’s script is pitch perfect. Bruce is stoic and ironic. Robin is a teenager - and wears his circus background with pride. Alfred is laconic with a dry wit.
Chris Sammne’s artwork is a perfect compliment to David Mazzucelli’s work. He uses a similar paired back cartoony style with lots of strong blacks. His action set pieces and his character acting are both superb throughout. He also draws possibly the best Bruce Wayne ever.
I also want to praise the colorist Matheus Lopes, whose palette sets the tone and mood throughout and perfectly complements Sammnes bold lines.
I can’t imagine a better and more sympathetic companion piece to Batman Year One.
Now I am left wondering whether the editorial team at DC comics are considering commissioning Batman and Robin Year Two.
A companion piece to Miller’s superb Batman Year One from forty years ago. A book that helped redefine Batman comics over the last four decades.
That original volume had a grim and gritty flavour and was more of a crime story with a sprinkling of Batman. The antagonists were all gangsters and mob bosses without a supervillain in sight.
In contrast this new book has more of a Silver Age feel and is a lot more fun.
Wholly appropriate given this story adds a boy sidekick and the mobsters are joined by Two-face and Clayface as the bad guys.
Having twelve issues to play with allows the story plenty of space to evolve. The dialogue is sharp and laugh-out-loud funny in places.
Mark Wade’s script is pitch perfect. Bruce is stoic and ironic. Robin is a teenager - and wears his circus background with pride. Alfred is laconic with a dry wit.
Chris Sammne’s artwork is a perfect compliment to David Mazzucelli’s work. He uses a similar paired back cartoony style with lots of strong blacks. His action set pieces and his character acting are both superb throughout. He also draws possibly the best Bruce Wayne ever.
I also want to praise the colorist Matheus Lopes, whose palette sets the tone and mood throughout and perfectly complements Sammnes bold lines.
I can’t imagine a better and more sympathetic companion piece to Batman Year One.
Now I am left wondering whether the editorial team at DC comics are considering commissioning Batman and Robin Year Two.
December 28, 2025
Het is absurd dat ik een boek van Samnee niet meer dan drie sterren geef. En het ligt ook echt niet aan het tekenwerk, ieder panel is een kunstwerk. Alleen het verhaal...ja strips zijn toch een narratief medium en voor mij werkte het gewoon niet.
Heeft het te maken met het minimale gebruik van interne monoloog? of met het thema van 'duistere batman omhelst z'n lichtere kant' waarvoor Samnee ironisch genoeg misschien wel de minst geschikte tekenaar is? of gewoon dat de kind/volwassen dynamiek niet lekker uit de verf komt door stroeve dialoog en plotselinge woede uitbarstingen afgewisseld met witty dialogue? De ouderwetse kleding (welk jochie van 10 draagt een overhemd? sterker nog, wie draagt er überhaupt nog een overhemd?) die het moet plaatsen in een soort animated series tijd, maar dan wel verschillende moderne invalshoeken?
Ik wilde echt dat ik dit boek waanzinnig zou vinden. Ik vind het te gek hoe Samnee eigenhandig met waanzinnige battober art zichzelf een batman boek van dit kaliber heeft binnen gevochten. Des te teleurstellender dat het zo de plank mis slaat.
En we kunnen niet eens Mark Waid de schuld geven, want hij staat pontificaal vermeld als co-plotter (whatever that may be).
Ben ook wel benieuwd wat hij hierna gaat doen.
Heeft het te maken met het minimale gebruik van interne monoloog? of met het thema van 'duistere batman omhelst z'n lichtere kant' waarvoor Samnee ironisch genoeg misschien wel de minst geschikte tekenaar is? of gewoon dat de kind/volwassen dynamiek niet lekker uit de verf komt door stroeve dialoog en plotselinge woede uitbarstingen afgewisseld met witty dialogue? De ouderwetse kleding (welk jochie van 10 draagt een overhemd? sterker nog, wie draagt er überhaupt nog een overhemd?) die het moet plaatsen in een soort animated series tijd, maar dan wel verschillende moderne invalshoeken?
Ik wilde echt dat ik dit boek waanzinnig zou vinden. Ik vind het te gek hoe Samnee eigenhandig met waanzinnige battober art zichzelf een batman boek van dit kaliber heeft binnen gevochten. Des te teleurstellender dat het zo de plank mis slaat.
En we kunnen niet eens Mark Waid de schuld geven, want hij staat pontificaal vermeld als co-plotter (whatever that may be).
Ben ook wel benieuwd wat hij hierna gaat doen.
November 6, 2025
Si tuviera que describir esta miniserie de Mark Waid y Chris Samnee en una frase diría que es una carta de amor hacia los personajes. Y es que, aunque en general me gustan las historias de los personajes que están ubicadas en el pasado la verdad es que muchas dejan mucho que desear. No es el caso de esta.
La historia nos narra la primera "aventura" de Batman y Robin a solo tres semanas de que Bruce Wayne tomara bajo su tutela al joven Dick Grayson y los enfrenta a Two-Face quien por años sería considerado el némesis de Dick, sino con un nuevo villano, el General Grimaldi y Matt Hagen el segundo y olvidado Clayface.
Como digo arriba, me pareció que es una carta de amor hacía Batman y Robin ya que nos muestra como poco a poco ambos comenzaron a compaginarse y demostrando que en realidad Bruce no era tan estricto con Dick, obviamente con mucha ayuda de Alfred. Por un lado tenemos a un Batman mas "maduro" y a un Robin con todo el ímpetu de un adolescente.
En verdad la pasé muy bien leyendo esta historia y si tuviera que ponerle un pero es que fue eso, una miniserie. Me hubiera gustado que fuera una serie regular, que nos narrara mas historias de este tipo.
La historia nos narra la primera "aventura" de Batman y Robin a solo tres semanas de que Bruce Wayne tomara bajo su tutela al joven Dick Grayson y los enfrenta a Two-Face quien por años sería considerado el némesis de Dick, sino con un nuevo villano, el General Grimaldi y Matt Hagen el segundo y olvidado Clayface.
Como digo arriba, me pareció que es una carta de amor hacía Batman y Robin ya que nos muestra como poco a poco ambos comenzaron a compaginarse y demostrando que en realidad Bruce no era tan estricto con Dick, obviamente con mucha ayuda de Alfred. Por un lado tenemos a un Batman mas "maduro" y a un Robin con todo el ímpetu de un adolescente.
En verdad la pasé muy bien leyendo esta historia y si tuviera que ponerle un pero es que fue eso, una miniserie. Me hubiera gustado que fuera una serie regular, que nos narrara mas historias de este tipo.
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