REVIEW: ‘Robin’, Issue #7

Robin #7 throws down the gauntlet in more ways than just the deadly tournament playing out on Lazarus Island. Joshua Williamson continues on as the series writer, with pencils by Gleb Melnikov and Max Dunbar. Troy Peteri brings the letters and colors are added by Luis Guerrero. This monthly action series is published by DC Comics. In the last issue, Robin got his hands on the ancient tome of the League of Lazarus, right before he was attacked by a very unhappy Respawn. 

So then, as one might expect, issue #7 opens with a fight. Respawn is furious. Robin has the secrets of Mother Soul and her island on his mind but must now set them aside to deal with this petulant villain. It’s a hyperactive slugfest with enjoyable Melnikov art and bold lines with striking Guerrero hues and loud (in a completely good way) Peteri SFX letters. But what this issue highlights most from start to finish is the beautiful growth of Damian Wayne. Robin can learn. He put it on display in the Respawn battle easily, calculates the meaning of the Lazarus tome, comes to terms with various other fighters in the fatal tournament, and contends with Mother Soul. Robin has made minuscule strides in every issue, but here, it all comes together and the Young Demon is genuinely more of a Dark Knight Jr. at this stage.

Now, the confrontation with Mother Soul may be what takes the cake, because Robin has figured out who she really is and her connection to Batman and Damian. First off, Robin handles the encounter with better dialogue than the death threats and indignant speech he’s used in the past. This is more intellectual, rock-hard determination, and a bit of detective savvy. He has come a long way since the series started. Mother Soul has immediately gone from background enigma to full-fledged supervillain whose purpose is grand and it sets the table for the tournament story to develop into a tale with a more extended reach that may continue long after the fighting has ended. 

Williamson has won me over when no other writer has in the past when it comes to rooting for Damian. He has taken the struggles the character endured in the Batman titles, most notably the murder of Alfred Pennyworth, and infused them into Damian’s essence to pull out kernels of personal advancement. Not only has he taken in what Alfred exemplified, but Damian also evidences positive discipline from Ravager, Flatline, and the other Robins and has placed one foot forward on the path to being a better hero. This is a significant development, and it comes just in time as the stakes increase. It will be thrilling to see how it unfolds after the demonic tournament passes. Also, I hope Ravager and Flatline at the very least remain in the book for some time to come, as they have become more rounded and it’s a shame to see the supporting cast step up, only to be forgotten and banished to comic book limbo.

The artwork once again remains dynamic, bright, bold, and crunchy (in terms of the brutal combat). I am really enjoying the lettering effects from Peteri, the bold lines around specific balloons, a few SFX in pitch-black sketch font along with other SFX makes them as much contestants in the battle as the characters. All in all, this art team delivers and doesn’t hold back on the damage, the lengthening of limbs during acrobatic moves, or the subtleties during quieter moments and dialogue panels. 

Robin #7 scores the victory. Robin is growing into his own, with what looks like his own archenemy to contend with for a time and the chance to come out of this as a better hero who will take the Boy Wonder fame to new heights. Cheers to this issue and the creative team, and looking forward to issue #8.

Robin #7 is available now wherever comic books are sold.