Robin & Batman: Jason Todd is a new 3-issue series which began in June and will conclude in August 2025. The miniseries revisits the early days of Batman / Bruce Wayne and Jason Todd's partnership in crime-fighting. Written by the Jeff Lemire and illustrated by Dustin Nguyen, this series follows on the heels of last year's DC Vault: Death in the Family: Robin Lives! as another imaginative re-telling that delves into the history of these iconic partners.

The narrative kicks off shortly after Jason’s father is murdered by Two-Face and his step-mother dies of a drug overdose in their apartment bathroom. Like Dick Grayson, Bruce adopts Jason but quickly finds him to be a rash and impulsive thirteen-year-old. Despite these challenges, Batman’s convinced that he can shape Jason into the next Boy Wonder now that Dick has moved onto the Teen Titans and assumed the mantle of Nightwing. However, Bruce’s loyal butler (and best friend), Alfred Pennyworth, harbors doubts about Jason's potential, fearing that his dark impulses might ultimately consume him.

Batman reflects on how Dick, his previous sidekick, benefited from a loving upbringing before losing his parents and becoming part of the crime-fighting duo. In contrast, Jason's lack of familial stability presents a unique set of challenges. At Bruce’s request, Dick attempts to take on the role of a "big brother" to Jason, but this only angers the young man. Jason's complex feelings toward Dick—a mix of admiration and resentment—propel him to prove himself worthy of the sidekick mantle.

The plot darkens even more with the introduction of a mysterious new villain, Wraith, who dons a ghostly white mask and sets his sights on Jason. Wraith perceives Jason as a kindred spirit, foreshadowing the future persona of Red Hood, a vigilante who challenges Batman's cycle of capturing criminals only to see them released back onto the streets. This dynamic adds an intriguing layer to Jason's evolution and hints at the darker path he may ultimately choose.

The first two issues of Robin & Batman: Jason Todd deliver a interesting dive into Jason's tumultuous past and the resulting mental health struggles. This complexity renders him one of the most intriguing Robins in the DC universe. Through Jason's story arc, readers are reminded that despite Batman's power, technology, and wealth, he cannot control everything—a humbling realization for the hero.

Jeff Lemire's script is simple but skillfully dives into Jason's past without becoming preachy. At times, the boy’s trauma is simply conveyed through Nguyen’s often wordless illustrations. While Nguyen's watercolor style might not be everyone's preference (mine included), it complements the "dreamy" quality of Jason's flashbacks and adds depth and emotion to the storytelling.

It’s also nice to see Dick Grayson depicted as a positive male role model for Jason, reminiscent of the original 1980s comics when Dick overcame his dismay at being "replaced" to try and help Jason adapt to his new life. (Dick’s patient, non-judgmental handling of Jason shows he was more ultimately more influenced by Alfred than by Bruce when he was a similar age.) 

The cliffhanger at the end of issue two will leave readers eagerly anticipating the final installment, wondering whether Wraith will successfully steer Jason toward his future as Red Hood — or if Jason has a trick up his sleeve.

​The third and final issue will release at the end of August.

RELATED FEATURES: Red Hood Collection  |  Batman Collection  |  Nightwing Collection  |  Nightwing, Batman and Adoption Problems  |  Jason Todd's Empty Grave | Review: Red Hood & the Outlaws, Vol. 1

Cozy novels (or “cozies” as they are often referred) generally feature a small cast of characters and are centered on familiar and comforting places — like a small town, a suburb, a book store, a pub or a library. You won’t necessarily find complex plots, intricate character development or lofty themes in a cozy novel. Take them as advertised — they are the book equivalent to a cardamom latte served with a freshly baked scone or the perfect cup of chamomile tea on a rainy day. They are intended to sooth and delight rather than challenge and provoke. 

​Mysteries were the first genre to popularize the “cozy,” but this has expanded in recent years to include romance, fantasy and history. (But essentially any genre can become a “cozy” if it includes some of the aforementioned elements.) 

For my purposes, I’m featuring cozy fantasies which combine slice-of-life ambiance with stories that are healing, comforting and uplifting. But because they’re also fantasy novels, they include elements like magic and magical beings, creatures drawn from myth and legend and exotic realms. 

Since, a lot of cozy fantasies feature food and drink in some way, I’m pairing my book recs with a few drink recipes that compliment the fantasy themes.

​Tuck in and enjoy. 

If you're like me, you spend your work week looking forward to those weekend game and movie nights. Not only are they an opportunity to catch up with friends and family, but you can immerse yourself in different worlds, play out impossible adventures, and build great memories.

But if you and your group(s) are still sustaining yourselves on bags of Doritos and six-packs of Mountain Dew, it may be time to step up your game and actually make creative cooking and baking part of the experience.

For years now, my game and movie partners and I have made our culinary choices part of the overall experience. Toward that end, I've compiled some genre-specific collections of cookbooks below to help you explore new dishes to treat your palette. 

Here are some other related suggestions to enhance your pre-activity meals:

• Coordinate the food to reflect the theme of the night's movie, game or book.
• Take turns choosing the entrée and have your partners coordinate their sides and desserts accordingly.
• Skip an entrée altogether and make one night all about appetizers.
• Create a taco, baked potato or burger bar!
• Cook the food together before any other activities even begin.
• Break out of your comfort zone by trying something really unusual... like cooking authentic medieval dishes before you watch Lord of the Rings.
• Don't forget the drinks! Libations — both alcoholic and non-alcoholic — can add another creative element. Many of the books shown below include drink recipes.
• Add creative table settings, centerpieces or music!

Watch my social media channels for additional tips like these! 

RELATED: Hogwart's Holiday