After months of speculating the future of Robin is definitely more exiting and maybe a little more clear after DC Comics big announcement.
After all DC books take a break in April and May for the Convergence event, 24 new books will launch including Robin, Son of Batman and We Are Robin in June. We also know which books are not coming back after hiatus including Batman and Robin. Writer Peter J. Tomasi will stay on Superman/Wonder Woman while artist Patrick Gleason will become writer and artist of Batman, Son of Batman.
The new title starring Damian is next natural evolution of Batman and Robin. The resurrected son of Bruce Wayne is now a super-powered teen. The acclaimed previous series by Tomasi and Gleason was about the father and son dynamic, a father’s grief and quest to bring him back for one more chance. Gleason becomes the next DC artist to take on writing duties. Tony Daniel wrote and drew Detective Comics and is now double duty on Deathstroke.
From the cover it appears Gleason will have Damian take on his grandfather, Ra’s Al Ghul. The big question is will Bruce and his super-powered son have a rift now that they’re reunited? That story will likely play out in the final issue of Batman and Robin by Tomasi and Gleason, a title that will be missed and one of the consistently best since the New 52 relaunch.
We Are Robin by Lee Bermejo and Khary Randolph is the other big Robin news. Book details are scarce but this cover image speaks volumes. After wondering if Harper Row, Duke Thomas or Carrie Kelly might be a new Robin sidekick for Bruce Wayne, the Batman office is taking Robin to the next level.
The new Robin is a movement, a team of teens fighting for justice. When I saw teen front and center with the red jacket I immediately thought of Duke Thomas, from Batman Zero Year and the Futures End issue.
It appears Robin is not just one sidekick but a symbol with a diverse cast inspired by the success of recent launches like Batgirl, Gotham Academy and the original Robin now in Grayson.
As for the fate of Bluebird (Harper Row) and her brother Cullen, watch for the final issues of Batman Eternal. Row’s creators, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, are staying on Batman so Bluebird could survive to fly with the Dark Knight after Endgame and Convergence.
By Editor