Review by Ian Keogh

There’s some pain to be endured here with the loss of Patrick Gleason the artist, who delivered awe and wonder all the way through Year of Blood. However, that also means the removal of Patrick Gleason the writer, whose plots were nowhere near as interesting as the art promised, and that’s again the case for the single chapter he provides solo.

Gleason is still around for the opening chapter here, which makes little sense as it’s just one from a long crossover, Robin War, although Scott McDaniel art is always worth seeing. It’s Ray Fawkes and Ramon Bachs, though, who continue matters. Fawkes persists with Gleason’s plot of Robin attempting to set right his crimes of the past by restoring previously stolen items. The guardians of those items hold a grudge, and don’t make allowances for good intentions. As written by Gleason, the idea was repetitious, but Fawkes develops it onward by introducing those connected with the Al Ghul legacy greatly displeased at it being tarnished by Damian restoring treasures to their owners. It’s a matter of family honour and principle.

The artistic approach taken by Bachs differs greatly from Gleason, and having pages from both in the same collection isn’t a compatible mix. Gleason’s priority is the iconic image, while Bachs veers towards cartooning, excels at panel to panel kinetic action, and his version of Robin flying Goliath results in some great moments. Both are good artists, just not in the same collection.

Fawkes expands the adventure plots to incorporate the greater DC universe, which is welcome, and the source of conflict he extrapolates from earlier events has an attraction and contrasts Robin well. It’s also welcome that his plots are less predictable and not as linear, with a greater infusion of the mystical, although a casualty is Nobody, reduced from intriguing and capable to victim.

Last time the art stunned and the script disappointed, and here the writing’s better, but the art, although very good, isn’t stunning. What a frustrating series Robin, Son of Batman is.