Batman & Robin: Year One #3: Priorities

Batman & Robin: Year One continues to exceed expectations with this month’s Batman & Robin: Year One #3. By now the story has its legs and readers are familiar with the tone and style that Mark Waid and Chris Samnee are going for. With only three issues to date, this series is looking to be a much-welcomed exploration and a closer look at Bruce and Dick’s relationship, and at the same time Batman and the first Robin. Samnee’s art and layout for this issue are incredible, feeling cinematic at times. Even the first few pages are perfect out of the gate and scaffold the issue’s credits throughout the panels like the start of a film. Samnee knows exactly how this issue should look and is executing it brilliantly. His contributions to the lettering are evidence of this and feel part of the foundation of this story on top of Clayton Cowles excellent lettering. 

The first half of this issue depicts Bruce in the Batcave donning his suit without his gear or mask going over the details of the current case while Alfred attempts to get his attention. Mark Waid’s writing here is spectacular and produces a classic rhythm between Bruce and Alfred highlighting the case and Bruce’s relationship with both Dick and Alfred. It feels so natural without feeling rushed or forced. On top of that, Waid accomplishes a feeling of tension that comes to a climax when Alfred actually yells at Bruce. Samnee’s art here is simple but extremely effective. Samnee’s brilliance is evident throughout, but a few panels in particular show a frustrated Bruce lamenting about the similarities to his childhood with Dick’s while walking down the stairs. The scene depicts Bruce standing in front of a portrait with his parents looking happy and as he descends he is in front of a portrait of Alfred and him looking sad.

Waid and Samnee capture a perfect balance of giving readers exactly what the series title suggests while giving equal attention, or not more, to the relationship between Bruce and Dick. The last half of the issue gives readers some incredible Batman and Robin action, showing the two infiltrating a cargo ship in international waters. Samnee’s art simply knocks it out of the park but Mat Lopes deserves equal praise with his colors. The majority of this issue takes place in dark places, but Lopes still finds use of warmer tones that work in harmony with the expected cooler tones. Lopes is one of the best colorists working today and seems to have a distinct and recognizable style while always putting the art first. It’s on the ship that the issue hits emotional highs, with Robin acting in anger to attack Two-Face, leading to not only Two-Face escaping but then putting both himself and Batman in danger, leaving Batman to put his life on the line.