The Boy Wonder #2
Chad Burdette
Recap
Juni Ba continues his timeless story of Batman and Robin, synthesizing the characters’ complex history into an accessible and heartrending fairy tale.
Robin, young Damian suddenly discovered he was merely one of a number of princes, preceded in the role by his "brothers" Nightwing, Red Hood, and Red Robin… in this installment Jason Todd aka Red Hood teams with Damian as the mystery in Gotham deepens
Review
The Boy Wonder #2 continues the Fairytale-inspired deconstruction of Robin, The Boy Wonder. This installment finds Damian turning to the black-sheep of the Batman family Jason Todd aka Red Hood. As it has been explored in the main continuity Jason and Damian are perhaps connected to each other whether they like it or not. Ba leans heavily into the notion that Jason is willing to do whatever it takes to exact justice, even it involves crossing the line and killing.
Ba does a good job recapping Jason’s death, resurrection, and the scars that it left him with and drawing the parallel to Damian’s upbringing, both of which involve Taila Al Ghul’s schemes to get back at Bruce and her father. The turmoil that both share allows them to better understand where each is coming from and how it has affected their relationships with their father, Batman.
The mystery of the supernatural force Damian is pursuing as he tries to show his worth to his father, as a son, and as a partner. While Jason continues to put up his front of not caring what Bruce thinks of him. Damian gets the final word which seems to make Jason rethink his relationship with Bruce. Damian drives home the point to Jason that it wasn’t Jason who failed Batman, but Batman who blames himself for what happened to Jason, making Damian wish that Batman would be as understanding when it comes to him.
Final Thoughts
The Boy Wonder #2's deconstruction of Batman's sons continues to be an enjoyable read and is presented in a visually stunning visual manner.
While there is little new that is added to the character of Jason Todd, being that it is a Black Label series not constrained by the main universe, it is an interesting glimpse into the psyche of Jason and how Damian relates to him.
The Fairytale Exploration Of Robin Continues in The Boy Wonder #2
- Writing - 9/109/10
- Storyline - 9/109/10
- Art - 9/109/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 9/109/10
