Robin War #1

By Tom King, Khary Randolph, Alain Mauricet, Jorge Corona, Andres Guinaldo, Walden Wong, Emilio Lopez, Chris Sotomayor, Gabe Eltaeb, Sandra Molina

“This is ludicrous. You’re amateurs. You fight like amateurs. I could take down an army of you.”

“Yeah? Prove it.”

Was that lovable cockiness I just heard? It must mean Robin is back! (The best Robin ever that is…Damian Wayne, for those still wondering).

Have you ever wondered what the current Robin thinks of the so-called “Robins” that have been sprouting up all over Gotham? Issue #1 of Robin War gives you that answer in one of the greatest scenes you’ve ever seen Damian in. His arrogance is like a fine wine, his temper like a raging bull, he is Robin – and in a Gotham being torn apart by politics it looks like he arrived just in time.

Tom King is on the script for this issue of Robin War and delivers a solid story featuring a vast array of characters. We’re given action loaded scenes alongside newsreels and politics (some of the news segments feature a panel style close with The Dark Knight Returns, which has recently returned again…coincidence?). King gives us a story that puts all the new Robins at risk while giving us glimpses of the “real” Robins along with their reactions – and the banter between Damian, Jason Todd, and Tim Drake is hilarious.

On the artwork side of this issue we have a number of artists lending their talents to the page. Splitting it up on the pencil/inks side of the issue there’s Khary Randolph, Alain Mauricet, Jorge Corona, Andres Guinaldo, and Walden Wong. The colorists on this issue include Emilio Lopez, Chris Sotomayor, Gabe Eltaeb, and Sandra Molina. The art styles vary throughout the issue, all of which present a fun variation on the characters. The scene featuring Damian (as mentioned in the above quote) sees the young Robin facing off against the teenagers of Gotham calling themselves Robin. This set of pages, done by Corona, features some of the best action from the issue. Robin’s quick-witted remarks, written by King, also accompany the action quite well as bright red and yellow ignite the page. There’s also bright green…in Robin’s boot…that he uses to kick Robin in the face…you’re following all of this right?

Robin War #1 brings gritty action and dark consequences to the Robins of Gotham. With a group on the outside pulling the strings it seems like Gotham may be in real trouble (seriously, why does anyone live in this city?!). Tom King writes a dark storyline infused with witty humor and great one-liners (there’s plenty of great lines when all the “real” Robins are together). The artwork this issue keeps a steady flow of talent despite the difference in styles from one artist to the next, none of which seem stifling as you turn the page (which can sometimes be the case when issues jump around so often with the artwork). Can Robin control his temper long enough to help the former Robins help the Robins? The suspense!