‘Batman and Robin and Howard’ (review)

Written and Illustrated by Jeffrey Brown
Published by DC Comics

Batman and Robin and Howard by Jeffrey Brown spotlights the ever-annoying Damian Wayne in a kids’ graphic novel that has some genuinely clever and funny bits throughout. Simply drawn and with large lettering, the coloring (by Silvana Brys) has been purposely done to give the impression that it’s been colored with crayons.

As with all these graphic novels for kids, teens, or tweens, the trick for the reviewer is to remember that they aren’t written for you, and to make the effort—in this case—to try and channel your inner fifth or sixth grader.

Taken on that level, Batman and Robin and Howard is light fun, more about soccer than superheroics. Robin is around, and Batman does solve a mystery, but mainly this is the story of Damian Wayne’s early days trying to assimilate at a new public school.

It’s also the story of Howard, a popular good student whom Damian entirely misreads at first before they end up BFFs and in the long run actually save the Caped Crusader!

There’s nothing complicated here and yet neither does it talk down to the reader. There seems almost a presumption of intelligence as well as a presumption of some basic familiarity with the characters of Batman and Robin. The heavy emphasis on soccer is somewhat educational in and of itself.

With its diverse cast, its consistent humor, its low-stress mystery, and its emphasis on the power of friendships and teamwork, my inner fifth-grader loved it. If you have or know a real fifth-grader, odds are they will, too!

Booksteve recommends.