Damian Wayne faces Ra’s al Ghul in the fourth issue of one of the best miniseries about Batman’s son.
Issue #4 recovers from a weaker third issue and delivers a strong emotional exploration of Robin’s struggle to fit in with both his biological and chosen family. This is a story many writers have tried to tell, but I feel like they always make Damian seem either pathetic or completely unsympathetic. Here, he comes across as a real person who is genuinely struggling to become a good person.
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a Bat-family story that highlighted the injustices of economic inequality and the fact that it fuels crime, and it’s great that Ba addresses that here. The thief who drives the plot is a sort of Jean Valjean figure.
In a summer full of crossover events that replace storytelling with unnecessary pages of boring action, Boy Wonder is especially welcome. We watch Wayne struggle with the impact his unbridled violence has on the world and his participation in the unnecessary cycle of violence.
As a reader, this series has captivated me so much that I have hopes for the main character. I want him to learn to be a better person, to learn to focus on making the world a better place by learning to love himself. At the end of the issue, we get a glimpse of that development.
The visual strengths of this issue speak for themselves. I remember being concerned about the fairy-tale art style back when this title was announced, but it has continued to delight me ever since. A rich color palette by Chris O’Halloran complements Ba’s style well. A sea of acid greens and deep reds express the psychological horror that Damian explores.
One visual complaint I have isn’t so much about this comic, but more of a more general DC issue. What does Talia al Ghul look like? Of course, 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.
Anyway, my rambling complaints about DC’s consistency aside, the art here is stunning. It complements the story well and really settles me into a cozy, distinctive version of Gotham.
I look forward to seeing how Ba brings all the family elements he has incorporated into the next installment.
Recommended if …
- You want to read a great Damian story.
- They are looking for a psychological exploration of the Bat-family.
In total…
I’ve been a huge fan of Robin my entire life, but I really haven’t seen many stories where Damian gets the recognition he deserves. Boy Wonder manages to do that while also creating a compelling story about conflict between families and generations. Ba’s work makes me excited for what’s to come.
Score: 7/10
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