A review by fandom4ever
Robin: Year One by Chuck Dixon

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Robin: Year One is just as the title suggests, Dick Grayson’s first year as Robin the Boy Wonder. It’s a meaty four issue arc that sees Robin facing the likes of Mad Hatter, Killer Moth, Two-Face, the first Blockbuster, Mr. Freeze, and Shrike. As such, the story contains Robin’s first adventures leading up to his first firing by Batman and the subsequent fallout of that decision. The overarching story is told through Alfred’s journal entries as he observes Bruce and Dick and their interactions with each other as they both unknowingly help the other heal. I loved seeing the evolving relationship between Dick, Bruce, and Alfred and how they're slowly becoming a family and learning to rely on one another. 

This was the second time I’ve read Robin: Year One. The first time was before I started a Nightwing (1996-2009) and eventually Prodigal read. I’m glad I had read this first because this story features importantly in both Nightwing (with the Shrike storyline) and in Prodigal (with Dick having to confront his fears of Two-Face). But reading it again in a story timeline order, I now also got to see how strong this comes off from Dick/Robin’s origin in Dark Victory and The Gauntlet. And not only that, but I got to pick up on a joke about Blockbuster. Robin says he wouldn’t want to go against the massive man if he also had a large intelligence, and of course Blockbuster is Dick’s biggest foe in Blüdhaven as Nightwing! I just love seeing that if you know the right stories and the right order, events flow so seamlessly into each other. 

I would absolutely recommend this story to any DC or Dick Grayson fan. There is amazing character depth, great action, and a whole lot of heart. It has definitely become a favorite of mine!