Batman and Robin and Howard: 01/26/22

Batman and Robin and Howard by Jeffrey Brown is a standalone graphic novel where Robin (Damian Wayne) is sent to public school and goes head to head with Howard, the star student of the grade. Meanwhile, Batman is being held captive at an impossible to escape location. Only with Howard's help can Robin rescue him.

The story's told in alternating points of view, primarily between Damian and Howard, with a few short scenes to check in on Batman. By getting into both boys' minds we see how alike they are despite their different backgrounds. Mostly, then, the book is how the two overcome their preconceptions to become friends.

While the rivalry to friendship arc is the central point to the book, there's also an underlying mystery. Someone is pranking Gotham schools in ways that's hindering their soccer teams. As Howard and Dwayne are on their school's soccer team, they are affected by this serial crime. It would have been nice if more time could have been spent on solving the mystery. That though, comes as a fan of the mystery genre.

Four stars

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