DC Relaunch: Batman & Robin

Most superheroes, somewhere down the line, have had sidekicks. It's an interesting dynamic that many books have tried to imitate over the years. Sometimes just a goofy tag along, other times actually involved in the crime-fighting, it varied depending on how the writer decided to approach it. The kid sidekick was ever more prevalent, to the point that entire team, the Teen Titans, is composed of them. But the original kid sidekick is, of course, Robin.

Batman and Robin are frequently referred to as the dynamic duo, and they've certainly earned that name. There is literally a dynamic between the two, in terms of a light/dark balance, and in terms of approach to the fight that makes it interesting. Now the Robins have varied over the years as has Batman's personality, and it seems to fit well enough if you take that into account. Currently, Robin is Damian Wayne, the son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, daughter of the R'as al Ghul, and involved heavily with her father's organization, the League of Assassins. Trained by the best in fighting, and learning how to live normally at a relatively slow pace, Damian has shown an incredible darkness that is markedly different than Robins of the past. And yet, there is a certain lightness all the same. Damian became Robin under the batwing of Dick Grayson, and now with Bruce back in the role as the only Batman, the dynamic changes again. Perhaps it is time for Bruce to change against the darker Robin, whether further down the spiral wil just have to be seen.

Pete Tomasi will write along with long-time partner Patrick Gleason on art. The two had worked together previously on Green Lantern Corps, and have also had a 3 issue run on the previous Batman & Robin title, where they introduced an odd new adversary. Now they take the reigns of Bruce along with Damian, and hopefully continue that amazing dynamic of their own. Pete Tomasi has worked with the Bat family previously, crafting a great run on Nightwing. He also co-wrote the year-long Brightest Day along with Geoff Johns.

Damian has really grown alot in the past few years. There's very little of the previous Batman & Robin series that's not worth checking out:

Batman & Son by Grant Morrison & Andy Kubert

Batman & Robin: Batman Reborn by Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely, & Philip Tan

Batman & Robin: Batman vs. Robin by Grant Morrison, Andy Clarke, & Cameron Stewart

Batman & Robin: Batman Must Die! by Grant Morrison, Frazier Irving, & Cameron Stewart

And then tomorrow we'll look at David Finch's take on the Bat, in Batman: The Dark Knight