The artwork ranged from subpar 90s knock off to terrible, but the story was very enjoyable. ( )

I like the concept but am way underwhelmed by the execution. I find it hard to believe that Alfred Pennyworth would be involved in this whole scenario...or at least the Alfred Pennyworth I grew up reading. But then the current versions of the entire Batman family of titles has left this longtime reader out in the cold. Gotham City can be grim and gritty, sure, but this place and the characters who inhabit it are just sad and dreary. ( )

The artwork ranged from subpar 90s knock off to terrible, but the story was very enjoyable.

We Are Robin
Author: Lee Bermejo (Author), Jorge Corona (Illustrator), Khary Randolph (Illustrator),
Carmine Di Giandomenico (Illustrator), James Harvey (Illustrator)
Publisher: DC Comics
Date: 04/05/2016
Pgs: 160
Disposition: Hoopla e-book
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REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Summary:
The youth of Gotham City are rising. They aren’t a gang. They’re not sidekicks. They are Robin. The Nest draws them together. Duke Thomas whose parents were victims of Joker Venom and disappeared leaving him in the foster care system. While searching for them, he runs into the Robins and together they find a conspiracy in the underground of Gotham that threatens everything. They’re all that stands between this evil force and destruction. Being Robin is dangerous. Life is cheap. Heroes face the ultimate test. We are Robin.
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Genre:
Comics
Graphic Novels
Superheroes

Why this book:
Robin and youth gone wild.
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Favorite Character:
Duke Thomas is an interesting character. He is playing off of stereotypes in the foster care system. But his interactions with the other Robins is interesting. And add a little meta-knowledge, his being The Signal in later Bat comic continuity.

Least Favorite Character:
The Nest as presented.

Favorite Scene / Quote:
When the shadowy figure behind the Robin movement goes from observing his crew to opening his closet and his soliloquy: “Those with talent and courage. Those who can learn to channel the rage before it consumes them. Those whose pasts won’t predict the future. The future. The future of this city is not dark walls and (the) cold, grey concrete it’s foundation stands upon. It’s a place of color.”

Duke’s letter to his missing parents as a framing sequence for the 2nd issue/chapter is a nice touch.

Then the Robin is sitting beside Batgirl watching the punks put out the fire. And the Robin pokes Batgirl to make sure she’s real. Greatness.

When The Nest tells them that the GCPD don’t like vigilantes, any vigilantes. And that that was just something that the Robins were going to have to get used to if they were going to continue to pursue their night job.

Pacing:
Well paced.

Plot Holes/Out of Character:
Of the suspects of who could be The Nest, this one made the most sense. But I submit that this sending youths into dangerous situations is out of character for him even with seeing the various Robins in action over the years. The Nest persona is much too hands off for him.

Hmm Moments:
Duke taking it on himself to run away from his new foster home to search for his parents because he feels no one else is really trying rings true to the character when you know his backstory.

And what Gotham City story is complete without a requisite run through the sewers. This city must have the most extensive subsurface warren of sewers, caves, and bullshit rivaling any city besides London and Paris.

The Batgirl appearance is great.

The “we should keep going despite the public and the police” scene taking place in the Acme Chemical Company where Batman and the Joker first encountered each other is cool when placed in juxtaposition to how the public and police felt about Batman at the beginning.

WTF Moments:
A little late for the “we’re just kids” argument that two of the Robins use just before meeting The Nest. Of course, they could just be out on a lark and not be in to the cause. They could be tourists instead of natives. And if there is a betrayal of the Robins coming, these two could be at the center of it. Double of course, we never saw the body of the one who tried to disarm the bomb either. The scene was only shown from the perspective of security cams and as the other Robins evacuated the scene.

Meh / PFFT Moments:
Duke’s foster home experiences are every stereotype come to life.

The voice of the text doesn’t ring youthful. Reads like an old person writing youthspeak.

And how do the Robins react now that they know and have proof that they aren’t working for/with Mecha-Batman and one of their own has died in the line of duty?

Hope they stay away from the betrayal from within trope. They’ve already planted the seed in two different characters. Really hope that it doesn’t bear fruit.

There’s a whole lot of blame the good guy in this. It has become such a trope in superhero comics. Almost as bad as the IA investigation in cop shows.

The Nest waiting until the end of the beginning like this to tell them to wear masks is probably not smart. Seems like that should have been part of basic training, especially in light of who The Nest is.
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Last Page Sound:
Odd spot to end on, but I guess that is the end of the beginning.

Author Assessment:
I liked it well enough to read more.

Editorial Assessment:
The R-iko section where we spent pages on textspeak as the trollie capecatchers tried to lure one in could have been condensced.

Knee Jerk Reaction:
it’s alright
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I wasn't sure if I'd like this series or not. I've had hit or miss experiences with Robins in the time I've been reading Batman titles. I liked Dick once upon a time, couldn't stand Jason in his issues, didn't mind Tim so much, and mostly couldn't stand Damian either.

But, once I got all the different Robins straight in my head it wasn't bad at all. And I started enjoying not only the usual things like the banter, but also the group texts too.

It was a different look at the city and with Batman becoming who he has become, it keeps the vigilante 'me against the world' storyline somewhere in the Batman universe. A good, fun read.

I got this galley through Netgalley on behalf of DC Entertainment. ( )