Jeff Remair and Dustin Nuguen’s sequel to Robin and Batman was rocking with excellent first issues and Jason Todd ready to boil with rage. It gave us a unique view of what it was like to manage Jason when he was a young Robin, and how Alfred and Batman had their doubts about his pursuit of vigilance. That’s less obvious than in Robin & Batman: Jason Todd #2, as new vigilantes enter the scene.
Robin & Batman: Jason Todd #2 begins with a nine-panel page featuring this issue and various important moments in Jason Todd’s history. They’re like a fever dream, from Alfred, who looks disappointing with Robin costumes to the Joker who has a mysterious skull-covered villain, Death Blow Crowber. On one page, Nguyen and Lemire reveal the complexity of this story.
From there, this issue is taken from where we left off. A white-covered vigilante stands above them after killing a henchman who was certainly planning to kill Jason. Previously, Batman had assumed that Jason killed him, but now he knows there is a culprit. This is not noticed by Jason. Jason holds it against Batman when he thinks he can kill him.
While this hangs above the character’s head, the story shifts to a team-up between Jason and Dick Grayson wearing his blue and gold Nightwing outfits. In a series of gorgeous double-page spreads, you watch them fight crime, but there’s a basic perspective on fighting crimes where Jason has no taste. This is an interesting way to show how Jason and Dick differ, and how he balanced Batman when he was Robin. There is the complexity you think about throwing in the fact that Batman is changing as he gets older and enrichs the story.
A great opening page.
Credit: DC Comics
Nguyen’s art is incredible, and the visible paper behind his watercolor adds an artistic talent, reminding us that this is traditionally painted. From red during the scene between Jason and the villain to Bruce, where Batman and Dick share their thoughts about Jason, the use of colour has a lot of emotion in the choice of colour.
Between Jason’s fever dream and several more pages of closing, I’d like to read chapters 3 and final chapters of this series. We’ve seen Jason see how he was going before he became a complete murderer, and witness another attempt at fighting crime that has been boiling within Jason from the start.
Robin & Batman: Jason Todd #2 is a stunning character study surrounded by stunning visuals and quiet emotional depths. Lemire and Nguyen continue to show why they are a creative team of great powers, grasping their identity, legacy and fractures within the BAT-Family. This is a must-read for fans of grounded, introspective superhero storytelling.
“Robin & Batman: Jason Todd” #2 continues to study stunning characters
Robin & Batman: Jason Todd #2
Robin & Batman: Jason Todd #2 is a stunning character study surrounded by stunning visuals and quiet emotional depths. Lemire and Nguyen continue to show why they are a creative team of great powers, grasping their identity, legacy and fractures within the BAT-Family. This is a must-read for fans of grounded, introspective superhero storytelling.
Deep psychological insight into Jason Todd’s early days as Robin.
A thoughtful contrast between Jason, Dick Grayson and Batman.
Dustin Nuguen’s expressive watercolors bring powerful emotions and moods.
Effective use of visual storytelling, especially in nine panel openers and dream sequences.
Nonlinear narrative and heated dream visuals may feel abstract to some readers.
