The Differences Between Dick and Bruce
This series has been great and it was nice to see in this origin story Dick as Robin for a change. I am a fan of all the Robin's but have always preferred Dick as Nightwing and Tim as Robin (although he is Red Robin now). This is maybe because I grew up with Tim as Robin and Dick as Nightwing. Maybe it's cause that's the persona's they had when they got their solo series' maybe both. I have so far been loving what Kyle Higgins has been doing with the character and how he brought Haly's Circus into the series for a bit.
This story starts just before the night of Dick's parents deaths with Dick and another young acrobat named Raymond doing parkour in a railway station. Once caught by a guard Raymond flees by leaping over the guard knocking him in front of an oncoming train. Dick saves the guard but is in trouble by his parent when they find out what he's done. Before going out to perform Dick gives his mother her birthday present of a bracelet with two Robin's on it. During the performance his parents are killed and he is confronted by Bruce Wayne who in Dick's opinion didn't look the part of a rich man. Bruce takes him in and one night when he is out as Batman, Dick is out looking for Zucco the man behind his parents death. When he runs into Batman he recognizes it's Bruce by tell tail signs similar to what he's shown at the circus. Bruce accepts him as his protégé but not in the field (for the now). Later when Batman is in trouble Dick dons the costume he created calling himself Robin and helps Bruce.
This was a good issue. It did at some points feel a bit rushed as it was trying to fit the whole origin story into one issue. By doing this everything happened a lot quicker and some things weren't explained. I liked how there is a reason as to why he chose the name Robin. I also liked how Dick found out who Batman was giving him a bit of a detective side to him which doesn't show other time. I also liked how he used his acrobat skills in his spare time in the form of parkour which gives a more modern feel. The main thing I liked in this issue was when Dick talks to Alfred about if he is a bad son as he remembers his parents lives not there deaths whereas the death of Bruce's family is what motivates him in what he does and the fact there are a lot of reminders of it around the mansion.
Final verdict. Besides some flaws and being a bit rushed this was a good story. I have been enjoying this series so far and would highly recommend it to anyone. The previous issue was also the end of the last story so this is a brilliant jumping on point as the next issue should be the start of a new story.
Rating: 4/5
