Batman and Robin #5: Pancakes and Soccer Balls

With Batman and Robin #5, it feels that the series has found its footing and readers now have a good idea of what it is going for. Joshua Williamson has plenty of tricks up his sleeve and has delivered some fun and exciting issues that make it clear that Robin is in the title for a reason. This is the strongest issue to date and finally answers the question of if Damian is going to stay in school or not. In addition to Williamson writing and Steve Wands lettering the issue, issue #5 gains Nikola Cižmešija and Rex Lokus on art and coloring duties respectively. Both artists are a fantastic addition and part of what makes this issue so successful. For one, Cižmešija does an excellent job capturing Bruce and Damian being “normal” as civilians but delivering some great Batman and Robin action. The aquatic-based suits they are wearing while pursuing Orca are fantastic designs and feel like throwbacks to iconic looks. 

On top of some great visuals and action, there is some fun dialogue between Batman and Robin regarding Damian’s suspicion that Shush is actually his principal, which is convenient since it gives Damian a reason to continue attending school. Unfortunately, Batman can’t pretend to be a student, but how does Bruce go undercover? By throwing on some khaki shorts and a polo shirt and volunteering for the pancake breakfast at Damian’s school. Cižmešija’s style suits the tone of this issue, which is somewhat lighthearted. Bruce volunteering and dressing “normal” is such a fun element and it is great to see Bruce genuinely wanting his son to have “normal” experiences like making friends at school despite the potential of Shush running the school. Cižmešija’s depiction of Damian trying out for the soccer team is a blast and combines the dynamic action and fluid motion of Batman and Robin crimefighting with something more tame like soccer. It’s something that readers didn’t know they wanted to see.