Stealth and secrecy are a watchword for Batman and Robin. The Dark Knight trains all his young partners to avoid calling attention to themselves, in and out of costume. However, Dick Grayson goes against these teachings and goes out of his way to make himself a target for bullies in Batman and Robin: Year One.
Written by Mark Waid, with art by Chris Samnee, Batman and Robin: Year One continues to explore the earliest adventures of the Dynamic Duo. For he most part, the series has centered around General Anthony Grimaldi, a military man who has a secret life as a crime boss. However, a different sort of threat is offered by Laura Lyn; the Child Protective Services agent assigned to Dick Grayson.
Agent Lyn has shown up repeatedly throughout Batman and Robin: Year One, conducting surprise inspections of Wayne Manor. This time, she meets Dick Grayson as his new school and immediately notices that he is heavily bruised. Dick tries to cover for his adoptive father, claiming he got in a fight at school. However, Agent Lyn has been suspicious of Bruce Wayne from the beginning and doubts Dick’s story.
Dick Grayson uses bullying to hide life as Robin
Thinking quickly, Dick Grayson provokes a boy who shoved him earlier on the playground. This quickly escalates into a full-fledged fistfight. This takes all suspicion for his injuries off of Bruce Wayne and hides their double life as Batman and Robin.
For what little it is worth as Dick Grayson nurses a black eye, Batman praises Robin. The close call with Agent Lyn proved his ability to show grace under fire and think on his feet. However, this also addresses the logistical question of just how Bruce Wayne was able to navigate social services without outright bribery.
Batman and Robin: Year One #7 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
