Robin #125

[MatthewSmith]

Robin #125

Writer: Bill Willingham
Pencils: Francisco Rodriguez De La Fuente
Inks: Aaron Sowd

First off, I really love Robin.

I love the Tim Drake character. I have loved this book since Willingham took over. I have been anxiously awaiting this issue ever since the news broke about Tim hanging up his cape and about Spoiler taking over.

Having said all that, this issue just didn't do all that much for me. But we'll get to that in a second.

When last we left our hero, Tim's dad, Jack Drake, had just discovered his son's secret life as a super-hero side kick and stormed over to Wayne Manor to confront Bruce. The last issue leaves us with a bit of a cliffhanger with Jack pointing a gun in Bruce Wayne's face. Well, not to worry because in the opening pages, Bruce takes care of that situation just like you'd exect him to. He just takes the gun away from Jack. I mean c'mon, it's Batman.

Anyway, to make a long story short, Tim gets to the Batcave only to find his father there waiting on him. The two get into an argument over whether Tim should continue being Robin. In the end, Jack agrees not to expose Batman's identity to the world, but Tim also hands in his resignation as Robin.

My thoughts on this issue: There a lot of things that I didn't really like. First off, there's the fact that yet another person knows Batman's secret identity. This is supposed to be a highly guarded secret. But there are now tons of people who know. Nightwing, who makes a guest appearance in this issue, even complains about this. That's something that's just getting out of hand.

Also, there's one scene in particular that I didn't like. After Bruce takes the gun away from Jack, Jack threatens to expose Batman to the world. Bruce responds to this by saying, "I won't try to stop you. But I hope you'll give me just a minute or two to explain why that would be a terrible course of action." This makes it seem like Bruce has got this master plan or something worked out to convince Jack to keep the secret. But in the end, the only reason Jack decided not to go to expose anyone is because it would kill Tim's stepmom if she were to find out what he's been doing. Just seemed like a really weak plot point to me.

I wasn't a big fan of the art here either. But not to worry because Damion Scott takes over those duties next issue.

My thougths on this storyline: Tim Drake hanging up his cape is only temporary. All the subplots that are currently running through the book right now all revolve around Tim. There's the deal with Johnny Warlock, who's got a major vendetta against Tim, and Tim has also got a major hang-up about him too. So when he makes his return to Gotham, it'd be hard not to imagine Tim not wanting to come out of retirement. Plus, there's the subplot with that mob boss's daughter having a crush on Tim. So my boy's not going anywhere. At least, for my own sake, I hope he's not, because like I said, I'm a big Tim Drake fan. My favorite book right now is Teen Titans, and things there just won't be the same without him.

[MatthewSmith]

Oops. forgot to post a grade.

I give something in the B-.

[jrp001]

Just finished this issue.....

I thought the art/faces were off a bit....

Also i thought that Bruce's humor or sarcasm was a bit "hammed up" in other words, Bruce would not have been so non-pulsed.

Yeah, I dont know why Jack started off as a deranged father --last issue; first few pages of 125-- turned itno a man who listens to his sons wishes by the end...

seems like there were quite a few plot holes....
1) Bruces reason not to
2) Tim and Jack talk
3) Jack listening to his son
4) maniac to protective father


hopefully this will be ironed out later, or at least the stroy will get tighter...






Asides/Theories:

1) How will tim get the cape back?

--Warlocks assassin will kill jack?


2)I thought I read some where that there will be some one else who takes the cape before tim returns? maybe I made it up?

[MatthewSmith]

Originally posted by jrp001
Asides/Theories:

1) How will tim get the cape back?

--Warlocks assassin will kill jack?


2)I thought I read some where that there will be some one else who takes the cape before tim returns? maybe I made it up?

1) I think you hit the nail on the head with that one. I was thinking the exact same thing. Tim's got an unhealthy facination with Warlock, not as bad as Warlock's fascination with Tim, but unhealthy nonetheless. So when he comes back out into the open, you know Tim's going to have to do something about it. I also think you're right about Jack dying in the pretty near future also. That would give Tim even more reason to take back the Robin mantle, plus he wouldn't have to worry about having to keep things secret anymore. He wouldn't be hiding the fact that he was Robin from his father. He would be taking up the Robin identity in honor of his father.

2) No you didn't make that up. Tim's girlfriend, Stephanie/Spoiler is supposed to take over as Robin. In fact, she's on the cover of the next issue in costume. She's also supposed to appear in Teen Titans as Robin sometime soon.

[jrp001]

1) Pretty much think that the assassin will eitherr use facial recognition tech and find Tim; then kill his father so that he has to tack back the mantle, and thus she can prove killing Robin. (if she just kills Tim, how does Warlock know it is Robin?)


2) no I meant after spoiler takes ont eh title, I thought there would be a 3rd person... maybei just made that up in my head?

[MatthewSmith]

Originally posted by jrp001
2) no I meant after spoiler takes ont eh title, I thought there would be a 3rd person... maybei just made that up in my head?

Hmm... I haven't heard about that.

[Supreme Convoy]

I was at the comic shop today to drop off my Previews order form and I was talking to the manager for a bit. He asked me if I was reading Robin and when I said no, he went over to the shelf to pick up #125 and told me to take it home. If I liked it I could pay for it later or just give it back. Since I trust the guy, I said I would buy it along with the previous Willingham books (minus 124 :( ). Again, he said I didn't like them I could exchange them for other books (what a sales man).

But I must say I enjoyed the issue along with the others and I'm glad I picked them up. My favorite moment is when Alfred takes the spotlight on suggesting how to get rid of Jack Drake :)

[Libby]

As much as I like Robin (the character), I won't be getting #125, because the person who got me into comics in the first place (mostly by writing about how much she absolutely adores Tim Drake) *hated* this issue. She writes:

"Dude, no one was in character. Tim was just a freaking POD person. Jack was a pod person possessed by, like, an OILIEN ON PCP. Bruce was... I don't know what the fuck was up with Bruce."

and

"Willingham's run on Robin is, for me, about how the little things come together to make one huge, heaping, fly-specked, STEAMING pile of shit. At the center of the pile, we have Willingham's Tim. "

and

"All I can say is thank GOD I read Gotham Knights 52, Outsiders 11, Teen Titans 10, and Superman/Batman 9 *first*. Because Robin 125? Is the sort of thing that makes a gal like me think things like 'hey, I hear that fandom WAY THE FUCK OVER THERE is pretty cool.'

Thumbs. Down."

I trust her judgement, and we have pretty similar taste in comics, so I think I'll give this one a pass.

[MatthewSmith]

Originally posted by Libby
As much as I like Robin (the character), I won't be getting #125, because the person who got me into comics in the first place (mostly by writing about how much she absolutely adores Tim Drake) *hated* this issue. She writes:

"Dude, no one was in character. Tim was just a freaking POD person. Jack was a pod person possessed by, like, an OILIEN ON PCP. Bruce was... I don't know what the fuck was up with Bruce."

and

"Willingham's run on Robin is, for me, about how the little things come together to make one huge, heaping, fly-specked, STEAMING pile of shit. At the center of the pile, we have Willingham's Tim. "

and

"All I can say is thank GOD I read Gotham Knights 52, Outsiders 11, Teen Titans 10, and Superman/Batman 9 *first*. Because Robin 125? Is the sort of thing that makes a gal like me think things like 'hey, I hear that fandom WAY THE FUCK OVER THERE is pretty cool.'

Thumbs. Down."

I trust her judgement, and we have pretty similar taste in comics, so I think I'll give this one a pass.

Wow. Some of that was pretty harsh. I see her point, but still really harsh.

Yeah, there are a lot of little things that have been wrong in the recent issues (Batman's characterization stands out to me the most) that sort of all came to a head there. But I stand firm in my belief that this is just another story that will run its course soon enough and after a while Tim will be back and all be right with the world again.

[Cmdr_Y]

I picked up 124 because the cover looked interesting and I had heard about an upcoming new Robin. I thought it was okay, never having read Robin before or any Bat-title I didn't have much to compare it to.

With that said, when I read 125, I was like, okay, what's with Bruce -- he looks mexican!?!? There's nothing wrong with looking mexican, but Bruce Wayne ISN'T Mexican. Neither is Tim, Dick, or Jack. Yet, they all look kinda Mexican. Is that because the artist is Mexican or something?

That all sounded racist or strange, but that's not how I intended it.

Anyway, I'll buy the next couple of issues, but if it turns out to be something that's just temperary, I'll be disappointed. the only DC books that I buy are BOP and Supes/Bats. That'll probably be the case again soon. :(

[gOgIver]

I thought this issue was a good lead for the Batman event this Summer since Willingham will be the author and that this is supposed to be the first domino to fall leading up to the War X-over event.:)