Damian Wayne faces off against Ra's al Ghul in the fourth issue of what is shaping up to be one of the best miniseries about Batman’s son.
Issue #4 recovers from a weaker third issue to deliver a strong emotional exploration of Robin’s struggle to fit into both his biological and chosen family. This is a story that a lot of writers have tried to tell, but I feel like they always make Damian seem either pathetic or entirely unsympathetic. Here, he feels like an actual person who is earnestly struggling to become a good man.
I haven’t read a Bat family story that highlighted the injustices of economic inequality and how that fuels crime in a while, and it’s great that Ba broaches that here. The thief who functions as a way of moving the story along is sort of a Jean Valjean figure.
In a summer crowded with cross-over events that substitute needless pages of bland action for storytelling, Boy Wonder is particularly welcome. We watch Wayne struggle with how his unchecked violence has impacted the world, and how he has participated in the needless cycle of violence.
As a reader, this series has me so engrossed that I have hopes for the main character. I want him to learn how to be a better person, to learn how to focus on making the world a better place by learning to love himself. By the end of the issue, we have a glimpse of that growth.
The visual strengths of this issue speak for themselves. I remember way back when this title was announced, I was worried about the storybook art style, but it has consistently wowed me since then. A rich color palette courtesy of Chris O’Halloran complements Ba’s style well. A sea of acid greens and deep reds bring out the psychological horror Damian is sifting through.
One visual complaint I have isn’t so much with this comic but rather a wider DC problem. What does Talia al Ghul look like? Obviously character designs can change, but I swear every time I read a comic about the al Ghul family Ra’s looks exactly the same and Talia always has a new face.
Anyways, besides my rambling complaints about DC’s consistency, the art here is stunning. It complements the story well and really nestles me in a cozy, distinct version of Gotham.
I’m looking forward to seeing how Ba pulls all the familial elements he’s built into the next issue.
Recommended if..
- You want to read a great Damian story.
- You are looking for a psychological exploration of the Bat family.
Overall…
I’ve been a huge fan of Robin all my life, but I really haven’t seen many stories that give Damian his just due. Boy Wonder achieves that while also crafting a compelling story of interfamilial and intergenerational conflict. Ba’s work leaves me excited for what’s still to come.