Contrary to many “Year One” comics and Frank Miller’s recent stab at the Boy Wonder’s origins, Chuck Dixon’s Robin: Year One eschews the gritty reinvention route and returns to tradition.

Dixon wisely sidesteps covering the same origin story that we’ve seen so many times before and just cuts to Robin’s first year already on the job, featuring run-ins with villains Mad Hatter and Two-Face. We see Dick Grayson’s personal development as well as his relationships with Batman, Alfred and then-Captain Gordon.

Both the artwork and storytelling aim for a more traditional approach to the Dynamic Duo. Dixon, a veteran of the Batman universe, pulls off a solid collection.

Grade: B+

Robin: Year One is currently available.