Batman and Robin 2024 Annual
Kevin Rossi
Recap
CAMPING CHAOS FOR THE DYNAMIC DUO! FATHER-AND-SON ROAD TRIP! Batman and Robin have gone through hell the last few months, so Bruce decides to take Damian on a camping trip to bond. But as they try to enjoy the great outdoors, they find a different kind of hunting ground…one that hunts the most dangerous game! Trapped and cut off from their weapons and backup, Batman and Robin must use their surroundings to hold off and take down some of DC’s deadliest mercenaries!
Review
We are just about a month into the new year but it is already a good year for Batman and Robin from Joshua Williamson. The series is five issues in with issue #6 due out next month and it feels that it has already found its footing and place in the DC lineup. There is a Batman book for everyone and Batman and Robin is looking to be the book for readers who want smaller stories focusing on the iconic duo. Batman and Robin 2024 Annual gives readers a great opportunity to get a feel for what Williamson is doing with the main series. Aside from awesome Batman and Robin action, a major point of the series has focused on the relationship between father and son, Bruce and Damian. That might not be everybody’s cup of tea, but Williamson has taken it upon himself to expand and develop the relationship between the two and get readers to give Damian a shot. What is a great way to get to know someone? Go camping with them! In the reader’s case, we see Bruce and Damian go on a much-needed weekend away from the city.
Story-wise, this annual is simple: Bruce and Damian find themselves in a “Most Dangerous Game” type of situation hosted by Roulette. Armed with average camping gear and minimal Bat-gear, Bruce and Damian set traps for a large number of hunters eager to kill the former billionaire and his son. Things go exactly as you’d think with the hunters quickly being taken out from the various traps, though Bloodsport does make an appearance and gives the two a run for their money. The appearance is fun and Williamson does a great job of giving the background to the character through Bruce telling Damian about him. As a whole, the story is low-stakes but packed with fun action. Howard Porter’s art is gritty and ambitious with some interesting use of movement, though his style is much better suited for stories taking place in urban environments, like his recent work with Williamson on Knight Terrors. Rain Beredo does a great job adding dimension to Porter’s art with color. There is a lot of quick action in a forest setting so things naturally blend in, but both artists do a great job of conveying the action despite Batman and Damian being out of costume and mostly working behind the scenes.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Batman and Robin 2024 Annual is a natural extension of the great work Williamson has done on the series so far. Both Bruce and Damian are in the woods and far from the city, so in a way, they are out of their element. The art does a good job conveying this, but this creative team pairing is much better suited for stories involving these characters in costume and in the city. In the end, Bruce and Damian’s relationship comes first and shines which is exactly what Williamson is trying to do.
Batman and Robin 2024 Annual: Father and Son Camping Trip
- Writing - 8/108/10
- Storyline - 7/107/10
- Art - 7/107/10
- Color - 7/107/10
- Cover Art - 7/107/10
