Blog Archives
Watch Out, Tim Drake Fans! DC is Still a Den of Liars!
Do not buy this week’s issue of Batman and Red Robin #19! Well, I mean, you can buy it if you want to. But if you, like me, were looking for any examination of the Bruce/Tim dynamic in the New 52, you will be grossly disappointed. The two barely have anything to do with one another, and when they do interact, it’s just a circumstance of the plot.
This is almost as bad as when we were teased about Red Robin getting an issue of Night of the Owls. Seriously, if you were planning on buying this comic just for the Tim Drake appearance, save your money.
I guess you could buy it for Carrie Kelley, maybe
I’ll post some spoilers after the jump. Just know that this issue is not a team up between Bruce and Tim. DC Comics is a Den of Liars and Thieves!
Batman Does Not Understand Why He Needs a Robin
Batman needs a Robin. I already went over that earlier in the week. And it’s also my theory that Bruce Wayne doesn’t really understand why he needs a Robin. He just doesn’t get it. Oh sure, he can recognize the strategic benefits of having a partner. And maybe he even enjoys being a teacher and mentor. But Batman doesn’t really understand the crucial motivations that go into becoming a successful sidekick to the Dark Knight.
The key issue is whether or not the new sidekick wants to be Robin or whether they want to be Batman’s partner. And the difference will determine whether they are a success or a failure as the Boy Wonder.
One big happy family
There have been five different Robins in standard DC continuity. And it is my claim that when you look at the origins and outcomes of each of those Robins, you will see that their success or failure can be predicted based on what role Batman played in how they became Robin, and whether they were in it for the glory of the being Robin or whether they just wanted to help Batman. There’s a big difference between the two, even if it doesn’t sound like it at first.
When Batman picks the Robin, it ell ends in disaster. But when the Robin picks Batman, it works out great!
Join me after the jump as I explain why Batman doesn’t understand his own sidekick. Also, there will be SPOILERS after the jump! So be warned.
Why Robin Matters
Robin the Boy Wonder is the most maligned superhero in the world of comics. He gets no respect. His mentor, Batman, is one of the most beloved and iconic heroes in the entire world! But poor little Robin gets picked on and teased to no end. It’s a travesty. And it’s going to change.
I’m here to tell you folks that Robin is one of the best superheroes in comics and he doesn’t deserve all the hate. Forget the 1960s Batman TV show, push all of the gay jokes out of your mind, and let’s just pretend that 1997’s Batman and Robin never happened. Because if all you’re going to do is focus on the worst interpretations of the character then you’ll never see the whole picture.
And Robin is a deeper and far more interesting character than anyone gives him credit for. Until now. It’s time to give Robin all the credit.
Robin’s importance to the Batman mythos can be summed up in four key points that we’re going to explore in this article. The first idea is my own, the second I got from noted Batmanologist Chris Sims from Comics Alliance. The third idea comes from artist Tim Sale. The fourth is just kind of obvious.
1.) Robin represents approval of Batman’s costumed crimefighting. Characters like Commissioner Gordon and Alfred will only ever accept that Batman exists, but Robin is not only someone who approves of the life, but has flourished in it.
2.) Robin is a reflection of Batman, in that this is what happens to a child who loses his parents when there is a Batmanaround to help him.
3.) Robin is visually and psychologically the opposite of Batman, creating an inventive and appealing juxtaposition and balance between the two characters.
4.) Robin can change; Batman can’t.
Join me after the jump and we can get started!
Review: Teen Titans #0
Well, that was disappointing. Tim Drake, my all-time favorite DC superhero, has a completely new origin. I thought writer Scott Lobdell was only changing his name, but it turns out Lobdell decided to change almost everything. Tim Drake is not even Tim ‘Drake’ anymore. All of his clever origin quirks from the original continuity have been altered for no good reason. Seriously, there was no reason to change Tim’s origin. His old origin fit in just fine with what’s been happening in the New 52 so far. These changes are completely superfluous, and because of that, they’re more disappointing than actually anger-inducing. It’s not like he did anything drastic that would warrant or justify the changes.
Teen Titans #0
DC has made me care less about my favorite character. I don’t think that’s what they want to accomplish in selling their comics.
Comic rating: 3/5: Alright.
If I’m being fair, this issue of Teen Titans is alright. It’s not a bad issue. If I’m being extremely generous and unbiased, it’s mediocre. The origin and its changes aren’t all that exciting, but it doesn’t defy logic – for the most part – or take a crap on the English language. There are a lot of stupid changes, which I’ll mention in the full synopsis. Overall, the issue is OK. But I wouldn’t recommend it to anybody. I wouldn’t tell a person that they’ve got to read about this really cool guy named Red Robin. None of these changes alter Tim Drake as a person or a character. He’s still pretty much the same guy. So that just means these changes are pointless. I can’t imagine anyone being excited by the new changes.
But I can definitely picture a lot of disappointed and even angry Tim Drake fans. I realize that comic book companies just want to get a rise out of their fans. But couldn’t they have been a little more creative this time? Couldn’t they have tried to do something original?
Just look at what they did to Jason Todd’s origin. Same writer even, with Scott Lobdell penning Jason’s altered origin. So why did he drop the ball in rewriting Tim’s origin? Join me after the jump for more.
What Do I Think About the Tim Drake/Red Robin Controversy?
When Teen Titans #0 comes out next week, we’re going to learn that Tim Drake never took on the mantle of Robin. Instead, from the moment he became Batman’s sidekick, he called himself ‘Red Robin’, a name that he still uses today as leader of the Teen Titans. We’ve known this retcon since San Diego Comic-Con, where Teen Titans writer Scott Lobdell let the cat out of the bag. This is a big change to Tim Drake’s continuity in the wake of the New 52 reboot, and considering I’m both a huge Robin fan and a huge Tim Drake fan, my reaction might surprise you.
The change actually doesn’t bother me in the least. It’s so incredibly minor and stupid that it’s rolled off my back like water on a duck.
Tim Drake will always be the best Robin, whether DC wants to retroactively add a silly adjective in front of his name or not.
The real problem is whether or not the Joker is going to kill Tim in the upcoming “Death of the Family” storyline. But more on that later.
Join me after the jump as I explain the change and tell you why I think it’s so stupid that it should just be ignored. Then we can all move on with our lives.
Henchman-4-Hire 