Batman And Robin: Year One – Dynamic Duos #2: Undercover Capers

Batman and Robin’s search for the mastermind behind the Wolf Pack gang takes a critical turn as Dick goes undercover to infiltrate the group’s hideout. As Batman investigates a murder that might be tied to the same gang of juvenile pickpockets, Catwoman and Robin’s first meeting might just be their last.

Issue 2 of Dynamic Duos starts to see the situation get a little more dire for our heroes, but that doesn’t mean there can’t be some fun along the way.

Mark Waid focuses more on the investigative side of the duo this issue with less overt action and more detective work. Outside of Dick going undercover to infiltrate the Wolf Pack (his make up being clumsily applied by Bruce in the beginning of the issue being a fun moment in their growing father-son relationship) there is also a cool moment while Bruce calls up some of his rich “friends” that were also assailed by the gang while still in his Batman costume. We also get more of a look into Catwoman’s growing relationship with one of the kids. Selina hasn’t made much of an impression on the story yet,l but that looks to change next issue if this cliffhanger is anything to go by.

Chris Samnee’s art is always stellar and Matt Lope’s colors match it beat for beat. There is a grand sense of scale when traveling through this version of Gotham, and the character expressions are wonderfully detailed. The exchange where Batman is calling his “friends’ especially stands out because you can tell when he seamlessly switches from Batman to Bruce Wayne despite never taking his costume off during these exchanges. Lopes’ colors also have a unique softness to them that contrast nicely with some of the more violent moments in this issue.