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Grayson #15 Review

Comic Books

Grayson #15 Review

Part 2 of the Robin War starts here. The Robins are coming together and they’re preparing for war. Can Damien, Grayson, Red Hood and Tim Drake train an army of kids who want to do the right thing to be Robin? Heck, can you even be Robin without Batman training you? We’ll find out in this issue, while we answer the question: is it good?

Grayson #15 (DC Comics)

Grayson #15 Review

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This issue opens with our major Robin characters new and old standing before twenty-somethings ready and willing to become a Robin themselves. Grayson is the leader, but an equal as far as training these very green kids. If this issue was a movie it’d be the training montage, but it all ends with a twist.

Why does this book matter?

Robin War is a major DC event spanning across multiple titles all working towards the biggest Robin event in years. With Bruce Wayne out of the picture it factors in being a major element in developing the Robin character in the near future.

Grayson #15 Review
The many faces of Robin.

Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?

Tom King writes a very well paced issue cutting between each Robin and their training methods. Red Hood goes about asking his trainees to do something a bit illegal, naturally, while Damien kicks their asses with as much arrogant gusto as a kung fu master. Each of these scenes covers two pages with orange panels at the center to show the main Robins discussing their training with the new Robins. This organization works well to keep the story moving fluidly yet cutting between training scenes.

Ultimately it all flows in a direction that makes you feel comfortable…and then King pulls the rug out with a big surprise. Believe me you need to read this issue before carrying over to part 3 in Detective Comics or the big twist will be ruined.

Artist Mikel Janin’s strength lies in facial expressions and there’s plenty of good acting found here with Grayson. While other characters are masked the body language and layouts go a long way in telling the story and keeping it fresh. Backgrounds tend to be flat when action is taking place, but skyscrapers and cars all look very nice when they do pop in. The fact that this issue works is largely due to the fantastic layouts throughout this issue.

It can’t be perfect can it?

Jim Gordon’s Batman makes an appearance and it’s hard not to think it’s forced. His character plays a lot more into the next issue so it makes sense he’d pop in here, but it’s largely unneeded and doesn’t serve much beyond a reminder he’s involved with this story.

Grayson #15 Review
They look mad.

Is It Good?

Anyone expecting a run of the mill event issue will be wildly surprised to find a fantastically paced story that’s a fun take on the training montage we all know and love.

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