Boy, this is something else. Less than a month later and this story is already complete. I’m still marveling. A two issue series! Big pat on the back to everyone involved. More two issue comics, please! But I digress, for I must now talk about the story within.

We pick up this week with a training montage that follows up the promise issue one made on its last page. Things take a turn pretty fast, however. While I still enjoyed this issue, I think there was a slight quality drop off from the first part. My biggest complaint is Jason deciding Gan shouldn’t be Robin. This leads to her striking out on her own to fight Shriek. I understand why the plot required it, but it really annoyed me nonetheless. We spent the whole last issue seeing Gan convince Jason to train her and his flipflop makes it feel like we’re moving backwards. Thankfully, there aren't enough pages available to dwell too much on this and the conflict is resolved quickly. (Another perk of short stories! Annoying twists don't get dragged out.)

Some of my complaints are small things as well. For example, Jason refuses to call Gan Robin until the end of the story. This works as part of his character arc but it results in him using her real name when fighting Shriek. An oversight like this can only mean a few things. Either Jason is an idiot or the writer overlooked it. Neither is particularly appealing to think about.

I did still enjoy this comic, as I said. It isn’t a masterpiece, of course, but I knew that when I reviewed the last issue. It’s good. No question there. I think the most important thing I can say is that it both holds up and remains enjoyable as a standalone story and expands the Murphyverse in a meaningful way. Adult Jason has been something of a nonentity thus far. That no longer is the case. I feel after reading this that I have a much stronger grasp on this version of the character, and I’m looking forward to seeing how these revelations roll into Beyond the White Knight.

On the art front, I had a lot to say last time and many of the same problems still remain. The art isn’t as confusing this time, I’ll admit. However, I’m still not excusing the weak storytelling aspect. Take a look at this page:

Every panel is slanted. The whole comic is like this, with the exception of the present day scene at the end. My assumption is that Simone Di Meo is attempting to add some dynamism to the art. Unfortunately, there is no thought put into it that I can see. When every panel is slanted, no panel is slanted (sorry). It’s just unnecessary and it becomes annoying as it starts to feel like the comic is trying to trick you into thinking it’s more exciting than it is. Maybe it is supposed to juxtapose that final scene but that’s not worth the loses throughout the body of the comic. I say, have more faith in your line work.

Speaking of the art inside the freshly infamous quadrilaterals; the line work is (generally) just as good as it was last issue. There are some things that stuck out, like this:

Maybe it’s just me, but I’m not into that hyper exaggerated perspective on the arm. This is a technique that is used a grand total of two times in this issue. To pull off such a stylistic technique, the art around it either has to match the level of stylization or at the very least become a more common element. Outside some little things like that, I do enjoy the rest of the art.

Recommended if…

• You want to see the Murphyverse expand
• Damian has been around for more than 15 years. You’re looking for an alternative!
• Despite standing alone, this is very much a part of Beyond the White Knight

Overall

This is a comic that does what it’s trying to do very successfully and remains a very fun read. It may not be the best Bat family story or even the best of the White Knight universe, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad! I think it’s well worth a read if you enjoyed anything from Murphy’s world.

Score: 7/10

Disclaimer: DC Comics provided a copy of this issue for the purpose of this review.