Written by Doug Moench.
Art by Mike Gostovich; Romeo Tanghal; Adrienne Roy; & Ken Bruzenak.
Cover Art by Mike Manley.
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Prodigal, Part One,” DC released this issue for November 1994. Following the Batman franchise’s quartet of # 0 Issues, “Prodigal” reveals that a now-recuperated Bruce Wayne is taking an unspecified leave of absence. His chosen temporary successor is Dick Grayson. Accepting the Bat-mantle, the original Boy Wonder gladly accepts Tim Drake as his crime-fighting cohort. First up is the murderous Waylon “Killer Croc” Jones, whom Dick Grayson has never faced.
Probing a grisly series of Gotham River homicides, the new Dynamic Duo immediately fails to convince Commissioner Gordon that Grayson’s Batman and Wayne’s Dark Knight are one and the same. Patrolling Gotham Bay, Batman & Robin realize that Croc is vengefully going after some of his old smuggling cronies. Considering their inexperience together, this Dynamic Duo faces simultaneous trials by fire against the monstrous Croc and a crew of trigger-happy thugs.
Meanwhile, Gordon’s trust in the Dark Knight continues to slowly deteriorate.
Notes: “Prodigal” is a twelve-part storyline spread through the DC’s interlocking Batman titles. It was eventually compiled as a trade paperback. Dick Grayson’s subsequent and far lengthier tint as the Dark Knight began in 2009 concluding the “Battle for the Cowl” storyline. Later co-existing as ‘Batmen’ with Bruce Wayne, the ongoing plot thread ended with DC’s New 52 reboot.
REVIEW:
DC’s initial experiment of testing Dick Grayson’s Batman is not flashy. Substantively, however, it works as is. For instance, by not pushing Commissioner Gordon as an instant moron, Doug Moench effectively proves how implausible it is to construe a 6’2”, beefy, mid-to-late thirties Batman and the younger Dick Grayson’s lithe, shorter frame as the same man.
Hence, Moench’s plausible storytelling and the art squad’s visuals are equally reliable as satisfying Bat-entertainment. After nearly thirty years, the opening salvo of “Prodigal” is worthy of re-discovery.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
“DC Universe # 22” explains the seven steps of colorizing a comic book panel. An action close-up of Tim Drake’s Robin is used as a sample. There is also a two-page “Bat-Signals” letters-and-answers column.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
