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All-Star Batman & Robin, The Boy Wonder Volume 1 by Frank Miller, Jim Lee and Scott Williams
02/08/2008 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
pub: Titan Books/DC Comics. 240 page illustrated hardback. Price: £16.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-84576-291-9). Buy All-Star Batman & Robin in the USA - or Buy All-Star Batman & Robin in the UK  check out website: www.titanbooks.comand www.dccomics.com
Something I should say is that when I was looking around for a cover repro, there was a similar cover that didn't have Robin on it. Without having both to hand, its wiser to suggest that when buying this book you match to the cover repro accompanying this review to be on the safe side.
This is a combined reprint of the comicbook of the same name started in 2005-2006 based on the copyright dates. The Batman has been attacking Gotham City's underworld and corrupt cops with a vengeance for a number of years, judging by how cluttered his Bat Cave is. The Justice League is still in its formative years with a roster consisting of Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Plastic Man! The Black Canary hasn't got her voice yet but has a mean kick and Barbara Gordon thinks she'll make a fine Batgirl.
Bruce Wayne has taken Vicki Vale to the circus only to see the adult members of The Flying Graysons die by an assassin's bullets leaving their son, Dick, in the turmoil. Vicki Vale also takes a bullet but Wayne arranges for Superman, owing him a favour, to bring a top specialist in from the UK faster than any aeroplane even if the Man of Steel hasn't realised he can fly yet.
As Batman, he plucks the boy away to his Bat Cave leaving the public thinking he'd kidnapped him. According to the dialogue, he'd spotted Dick Grayson a few years ago and always thought he would make good potential as a partner when he grew up. Having a twelve-year old lad now under similar circumstances to himself wasn't something he was prepared for. It would be curious to see if a more adult Grayson could have been enticed into a life of crime-fighting without the death of his parents. As it is, both of them looked at each other with disdain but growing to appreciate each other's situation with Wayne's butler, Alfred Pennyworth caught somewhere in the middle.
Out on the streets, the Batman seeks the Graysons' killer and more importantly who arranged it but I shan't let you in on that particular joke just yet. Got to leave some surprises for you to read after all.
I found this book one hell of a roller-coaster of a ride. The Frank Miller interpretation of events is sort of like the DC Earth meets the Watchmen Earth with a dash of Judge Dredd's mega-city thrown in for good measure. This Batman is so far over the edge that he sees nothing he does, short of murder, beyond getting in his way.
Of course, this is all leading up to his mellowing down a bit when he had the boy side-kick by his side. In the Bob Kane days, such an origin would have been accounted for in at most a single story rather than go into the training involved. Readers in those days were less concerned about detailed character motivation and the journey that got them there. This Batman scares the life out of everyone and the only reason the nascent Justice League is reluctant to do much is because he found out who they really are. He has the edge on everyone.
I'm going to be very curious to see how this story pans out in future volumes. The violence aspect is something very strongly associated with writer Frank Miller and he doesn't let up. Whether this book would make good reading for anyone under eighteen is debatable. Yes, showing that being kicked in the mouth puts your teeth beyond repair shows that any violent act isn't something you're just not going to get up and walk away from. There is, however, a delicate balance between being gratuitous and over-the-top to showing the reality of the situation. I wouldn't put Gotham City on my places to visit on DC Earth-1. Well, not until the Bat-guy sorts out its crime problem.
The art by Jim Lee inked by Scott Williams has an almost Millerique look to it but I suspect it would have been difficult to do otherwise with such material. As I tend to look at comicbook material as being a composite of all the people involved anyway, I tend not to split it up unless there is something serious wrong with the mix.
An added bonus at the back of the book is alternative covers and pre-inked pages as well as two curious illustrations by Neal Adams. More than enough to keep you occupied and probably more than one read to take it all in.
GF Willmetts
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