Review: ‘Batman #2’

The all-new Batman continuity shifts focus to Tim Drake’s Robin in issue #2. 

From Matt Fraction (Hawkeye, Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen), artist Jorge Jiménez (Batman, Summer of Superman Special), colorist Tomeu Morey, and letterer Clayton Cowles, Batman #2 finds Robin (Tim Drake) injured, cuffed, and tossed in the back of a GCPD paddy wagon with a dozen uncuffed and very violent criminals.

First and foremost, it’s so nice and refreshing to see Tim Drake back in the centre of a Batman comic. The character certainly hasn’t been given his due over the years, especially in more recent times. But this issue show’s off his witty personality and sharp fighting skills brilliantly — Jiménez’s fast-paced art is a joy to flick through. What’s more, Fraction does an admirable job at developing the early relationship between Tim Drake and Bruce Wayne. We’ve seen their relationship play out a few times before, and so he builds it fast, leaving the original foundations in place.

The issue also delves into the earlier, day-to-day home life of Bruce, Tim, and Damien (who is, of course, snarky and overly competitive). Bruce teaches Tim how to drive, specifically using a gear stick, but he doesn’t pick it up quite well enough. Not only is this little backstory relevant in showing off the their personal relationship, but it also comes back to the forefront in the present when Robin must make a quick getaway in the Batmobile (or Batmo, as he likes to call it).

Overall, Batman #2 is a more than solid enough issue. Seeing Tim Drake front and centre is very refreshing. The story itself won’t blow you away, but it lays a core foundation for the series to build on and develop in future issues.

Batman #2 is out now, and you can buy it here. Have you read it? Tell us all your thoughts in the comments down below!