What, are you dense? Are you retarded or something? Who the hell do you think I am? I'm the goddamn Batman. 
- — Batman
All Star Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder (Collected) is an issue of the series All Star Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder (Volume 1) published in 2008.
Synopsis for "Episode One"
Vicki Vale is in her penthouse when she receives a call from Alfred Pennyworth. Alfred tells her that Bruce Wayne requests her presence this evening for a date to the circus. Vicki is elated at the chance to go out with Gotham City's most eligible bachelor.
Bruce picks her up and the two spend the evening watching the Flying Graysons – a family of aerialists. They are particularly impressed with the death-defying ability of the Grayson’s young son, Dick. After the finale, two shots ring out and Dick’s parents fall over dead.
Bruce Wayne changes into Batman and apprehends the gunman – Jocko-boy Vanzetti. While Batman deals with Jocko, the corrupt Gotham City Police Department canvas the area. They take the orphaned Dick Grayson into their care, much to the chagrin of Vicki Vale. Vicki doesn't trust the GCPD's intentions, so Alfred and she begin tailing them in Bruce's Rolls Royce.
The police car pulls off at Galt's Gulch, and Dick tells them that he can identify his parents' killer. This is not information that the police really wish to see spread about. They prepare to terrorize Grayson when a wave of bats descends upon them. Batman arrives on the scene in the Batmobile and snatches up Dick Grayson while the cops try to fend off the frenetic bats. Grabbing Grayson by the shirt collar, Batman growls, "On your feet, solider. You've just been drafted. Into a war."
Appearing in "Episode One"
Featured Characters:
- Batman
- Robin
Supporting Characters:
- Alfred Pennyworth
- Vicki Vale
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Vehicles:
- Batmobile
- Bruce Wayne's Rolls Royce
Synopsis for "Episode Two"
Synopsis Coming Soon?
Appearing in "Episode Two"
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Synopsis for "Episode Three"
Two men walk into a crowded Gotham City night spot called the Black Canary. Oddly, the bartender of this establishment, dressed in black leather, fishnet stockings and a mask, also calls herself Black Canary. Like everybody else in the bar, the two men subject her to a barrage of cat calls. Black Canary endures the unwelcome adoration for quite some time, but her mind is on only one thing - a man she has never even met... the Batman. As the evening wears on, she tires of the never ending solicitations and finally loses her patience. She leaps over the bar and begins to beat up every besotted reveler she can get he hands on. When she is done, the only man left standing is the bar's owner, Liam. Liam makes the mistake of calling her "sweet chunks" and Canary kicks him through the window. She tends her resignation, hops on her motorcycle, and rides off in search of Batman.
Batman meanwhile, has the recently orphaned Dick Grayson inside of his Batmobile. He converts the vehicle to Aqualung mode, then dives down deep into the river and sails through an underground tunnel. He wonders if he made the right decision in taking the boy.
Miles away in the city of Metropolis. Clark Kent reads about Grayson's abduction in the Daily Planet newspaper. Anger overwhelms him and he burns the paper with dual-blasts of heat vision.
Appearing in "Episode Three"
Featured Characters:
- Batman
- Robin
Supporting Characters:
- Alfred Pennyworth (Behind the scenes)
- Black Canary (First appearance)
Villains:
- None
Other Characters:
- Clark Kent
- Dorothy (Single appearance)
- Liam (Single appearance)
Locations:
- The Black Canary
Items:
- None
Vehicles:
- Batmobile
- Black Canary's motorcycle
Synopsis for "Episode Four"
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Appearing in "Episode Four"
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Synopsis for "Episode Five"
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Appearing in "Episode Five"
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Synopsis for "Episode Six"
Synopsis Coming Soon?
Appearing in "Episode Six"
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Synopsis for "Episode Seven"
Batman dives into a horde of criminals and begins beating them down. He taunts them throughout the fight for their stupidity, until he finally nabs Jocko-Boy Vanzetti - the man who murdered Dick Grayson's parents. Batman knocks his teeth out and Jocko falls to the ground. From above, the Black Canary watches everything and is exhilarated to watch Batman in action. As the fight concludes, she leaps down and begins kissing Batman. The two maintain their passion for a short time until Batman decides its time to leave. He offers to give Black Canary a lift home.
At the Batcave, Dick Grayson is terrified beyond all measure. The darkness and emptiness of the cave seems to consume him. He finds an antique battle ax and uses it to kill a rat that is annoying him. Batman finally returns home. He exits the Batmobile and drops Jocko-Boy in front of Dick. He tells him that this is the man who murdered his parents. Dick has a choice. He can either kill him or let him live. Is he an avenger or a detective? Dick flies into a rage and swings the battle ax downward towards Jocko's head. He doesn't kill him however, and the blade only comes close enough to slice open Jocko's cheek. Dick begins pounding on him, demanding to know the name of the man he works for. After sufficient prodding, Jocko finally reveals the identity of his employer - the Joker.
Appearing in "Episode Seven"
Featured Characters:
- Batman
- Robin
Supporting Characters:
- Alfred Pennyworth (Behind the scenes)
- Black Canary
Villains:
- Jocko-Boy Vanzetti (Single appearance)
- The Joker (Behind the scenes)
Other Characters:
- None
Locations:
Items:
- None
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "Episode Eight"
The Joker is in a hotel room with a woman named Donna Gugina. After a night of love-making, the Joker brutally attacks her, crushing her larynx and strangling her to death. All the while, he professes his undying love for her.
At the Batcave, Dick asks Batman about the Joker. Batman tells him that the Joker is a psychotic serial killer. He tells Dick that he's going to need a costume and a mask if he wants to be a detective. Dick doesn't care for the idea, and thinks that wearing a costume is "queer". Batman chastises him and tells him that he needs a secret identity or else their enemies will be able to track them down and kill them.
Batman throws Jocko-Boy into the Batmobile and takes off. After dumping the stoned gangster into the river, he turns to see a bright green light shining in the sky. Batman knows that this is a signal from Green Lantern and goes to meet him. Green Lantern wants to talk, but Batman doesn't have time for him. He gives him an address and tells him to meet him later.
Elsewhere, the Joker arrives at the den of one of his colleagues, Selina Kyle - the Catwoman.
Back at the Batcave, Dick Grayson fashions himself a costume patterned after legendary hero Robin Hood. When Batman returns, Dick tells him that he wants to be known as the Hood. Batman tells him that wearing a hood is stupid and a liability in a fight. He pulls the hood off of him and tells him that he is just Robin.
Appearing in "Episode Eight"
Featured Characters:
- Batman
- Robin
Supporting Characters:
- Alfred Pennyworth (Behind the scenes)
- Catwoman
- Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) (First appearance)
Villains:
- Jocko-Boy Vanzetti (Single appearance)
- The Joker (First appearance)
Other Characters:
- Donna Gugina (Single appearance; dies)
Locations:
Items:
- None
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "Episode Nine"
Synopsis Coming Soon?
Appearing in "Episode Nine"
Featured Characters:
- Batman
- Robin
Supporting Characters:
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Other Characters:
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See Also
Recommended Reading
Template:FMDK RA
Links and References
- All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder at Wikipedia
- Batman: Year One at Wikipedia
- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns at Wikipedia
- Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again at Wikipedia