Batman & Robin: Year One – Dynamic Duos #3
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Chris Samnee
Cover Artist: Brian Bolland, Chris Samnee, Diego Olortegui, Goran Parlov, Jim Cheung
Colorist: Mat Lopes
Letterer: Chris Samnee, Clayton Cowles
Publisher: DC Comics
Batman & Robin: Year One – Dynamic Duos #3 continues to deliver the kind of classic Batman and Robin storytelling that makes this series such an enjoyable read. Mark Waid balances Robin's increasingly dangerous undercover operation with Batman's own descent into a surreal confrontation, keeping both halves of the Dynamic Duo busy as Gotham grows more unpredictable. Chris Samnee's beautiful art brings these adventures to life, particularly when the story ventures into the bizarre imagery of Batman's hallucinations. With Robin facing a difficult test of loyalty and Batman battling threats from within his own mind, the series continues to offer an engaging blend of superhero action, character development, and classic Gotham City madness.
A Test of Trust and a Trip Through Wonderland
After successfully infiltrating the Wolf Pack's hideout and meeting its ringleader, the mysterious Crime Master, Robin faces a test to earn his trust. Following Catwoman's failed attempt to shut down the operation, Crime Master hands Robin a gun and an ultimatum: shoot Catwoman to earn his respect and gain entry into his inner circle, or walk away and lose his chance to gather any further information on Crime Master and the Wolf Pack.
Batman, meanwhile, finds himself caught up in a tea party. Well, he probably wishes it were an ordinary tea party, but nothing is normal when the Mad Hatter makes his presence known in Gotham. Dangerous enough on his own, the diminutive villain has Batman right where he wants him, trapped in a hallucination. The Mad Hatter intends to give the Dark Knight one final nightmare, summoning Gryphon, a giant griffin-like creature, to do his bidding.
Will Batman escape the Mad Hatter's hallucinatory trap? And will Robin pull the trigger to earn Crime Master's respect?
The Hatter's Still Waiting for His Big Break
Batman makes quick work of both Gryphon and the Mad Hatter, turning them over to Commissioner Gordon. It's a little disappointing that we don't get to spend more time with the Mad Hatter, though. This feels very much like the B-plot compared to Robin's undercover mission, as Batman's storyline essentially boils down to fighting Gryphon, apprehending the Mad Hatter, and calling it a day's work.
That's a shame because the Mad Hatter is a Batman villain I've always found interesting. However, it never seems as though anyone in the industry has really wanted to put their definitive stamp on the character. I hesitate to call him underrated, since most readers know who he is, but I do think he's underappreciated when it comes to the creative attention he receives. Nobody seems particularly interested in taking him on as a pet project and reinventing the wheel, so to speak.
I'd love to see someone take a fresh approach to the character. His entire persona being rooted in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is a big part of his appeal, but I think there's room to expand on that concept. Imagine if he started incorporating elements from other children's novels, twisting and manipulating their characters and stories to suit his own sensibilities while maintaining the Mad Hatter aesthetic we've known and appreciated for so long. There's plenty of potential there, and I'd love to see a writer take advantage of it.
My apologies for turning this into a Mad Hatter character reassessment, but I can't help wanting to show the guy some love. There's a lot more you could do with the Mad Hatter, and I'd love to see someone finally give him that opportunity.
No Madder Way to Draw
I imagine it must get tiresome by now to read my Batman & Robin: Year One – Dynamic Duos reviews, only to find me praising Chris Samnee's artwork all over again. In all seriousness, though, Samnee continues to demonstrate why he's one of the industry's standout artists, and this might be my favorite issue of the series he's worked on so far.
The mushroom-filled landscape during Batman's hallucination is a particular highlight. Samnee makes the setting feel wonderfully surreal without losing the clarity of his storytelling, while Gryphon's imposing, almost statuesque appearance gives Batman a suitably formidable opponent. There's a distinct visual appeal to this sequence that sets it apart from the issue's more grounded scenes, and I found myself wishing we could have spent more time in this strange, dreamlike environment.
That's not to say the rest of the issue looks any less impressive. Samnee's expressive character work and clean, dynamic compositions keep the action easy to follow while giving the characters plenty of personality. His approach suits the book's classic superhero sensibilities, and Mat Lopes' colors further enhance the more fantastical imagery, helping Batman's hallucination stand out from the surrounding story.
It's a strong artistic showing overall, but that mushroom-dense landscape and the imposing figure of Gryphon are what really stuck with me. If there's one complaint I have, it's that I simply wanted more of that sequence.
Same Bat-Time, Same Bat-Satisfaction
Batman & Robin: Year One – Dynamic Duos #3 is a compelling read that succeeds without needing to do anything particularly groundbreaking. Batman continues to get pulled deeper into the darkness of his own mind as Gotham descends further into madness, while Robin refuses to let that darkness overtake him. Meanwhile, Catwoman seems to be inching closer to potentially joining forces with the Dynamic Duo.
This is good, textbook Batman and Robin storytelling. It might not blow you away at first, but Mark Waid understands what makes these characters work, and the issue leaves you satisfied while giving you plenty of reasons to come back for more.