BEECHEN & ROBIN - THE BOY (??) WONDER

**MattBrady** · 12-03-2005, 02:40 PM

Continuing our prospectus look at the post-Infinite Crisis slash “One Year Later” DC Universe, we caught up with upcoming new Robin writer Adam Beechen, who along will penciler Karl Kerschl (Adventures of Superman) will make up the new ongoing series’ new regular creative team.

Though like all DCU writers right now, Beechen could only talk in varying degree of detail regarding his, Kerschl, and editor Eddie Beganza’s plans, but we didn’t manage to pry a few interesting thoughts from him on the future of Robin, the Boy (maybe ?) Wonder.

First of all, for readers maybe not yet familiar with Beechen and his work, we asked the writer for a quick introduction…

In his self-described “civilian identity”, Beechen is a mild-mannered television writer with series credits that include The Batman, Teen Titans, X-Men: Evolution, Jackie Chan Adventures, Hi Hi Puffy Amiyumi among many others. His first comic book work was the 2004 graphic novel Hench from publisher AiT/Planetlar, which led to his introduction to Teen Titans Go! editor Tom Palmer Jr. by way of a college pal and Palmer’s fellow DC editor Ivan Cohen (Wonder Woman).

The rest - as they say - is history…

”Tom was kind enough to let me pitch to him,” explained Beechen. “I wrote a story for that book, and then was given the assignment of writing Justice League Unlimited when that book started. Editor Eddie Berganza liked my work there, and we’d talk from time to time about my writing something for DC outside the “Johnny DC” titles. When Infinite Crisis came along, and so many books were getting 'fresh starts', Eddie very kindly suggested me to Dan DiDio for Robin. Eddie and I worked up a proposal, Dan dug it, and here we are!"

"Needless to say, I’m psyched,” continued Beechen. “Getting a chance to play with these characters is a fanboy’s dream come true. Karl’s art, as any fan of Adventures of Superman knows, is unbelievable, and he’s going to give this book incredible mood and style.

”As far as I’m concerned, ‘One Year Later’ can’t get here soon enough!”

Yes, but it isn’t here yet, so what can the writer say exactly about this plans for the DC teen icon? First and foremost will it even be Tim Drake behind the mask come “OYL”?

Beechen “leaked” to us what he could…

”I’ve talked it over with Eddie, and he’s given me the go ahead to reveal who will be in the Robin suit...

”…It’ll be Valerie Plame. Please make sure none of your readers tell Robert Novak.”

In all seriousness, the writer can’t divulge whether or not Tim Drake will still be Robin "One Year Later" and offered readers his apologies that he can’t get too specific regarding their plans. But here’s what he can say…

”Four pages into our first six-issue arc,” hinted Beechen, “four pages into our very first issue, something absolutely monumental happens that turns Robin’s world completely upside down, and will have repercussions that will be felt by every single character in the Bat-universe, and even some beyond.

”I’m not kidding. I really think we’ll hear the massive, echoing thud of readers’ jaws dropping all over the place. And it’ll only get ‘twistier’ and ‘turnier’ from there - a six-issue guest-star-filled sprint to a finish line that will leave Robin in a very different place than where the character started at the beginning of the story.”

But we still had more questions regarding his Robin’s status quo, and the writer offered these hints/responses to tide readers over for a few months…

1.The person in the Robin suit will be very familiar to DC readers.
2. Robin will be returning to Gotham City as the character’s primary base of operations.
3. Robin’s costume will be modified.
4. Robin will remain a member of the Titans ("so I guess it’s safe to say the character will remain a teen"). The book will reflect Titans continuity more than in the past.
5. Robin’s relationship with Batman, at least to start, will be "somewhat strained, owing to something Robin has done. In fact, a number of heroes will be wary of Robin, and with good reason."

Finally, all “continuity”/status quo question aside, we asked the television writer to give us his “Hollywood pitch” for Robin the ongoing series as if he were explaining it to someone who has never heard of Infinite Crisis or “One Year Later”. We even went so far as to ask him to pitch it to someone who’s never even heard of “Batman & Robin”…

His response..?

“Teenage CSI.”

”If Robin is an accomplished junior detective — with Batman as the master — I’d like to show Robin doing some actual detecting,” continued the writer. “What are the steps? What are the thought processes? Exploring these questions are great ways of building tension, and will allow us some very cool visuals...just like the real CSI show — and it’ll give us even more reason to think that Robin is a cool, stylish character.

"That’s not to say we’ll be doing a mystery book...There’ll still be plenty of slam-bang action, and all sorts of people running around in costumes — and there’ll be lots of the character stuff that DC fans, Bat-fans and comics fans love...but we’ll be trying to bring some of what that show does very well to the book.

”In a larger sense, we’re talking about process. Not just the ‘detecting process’, we’re going to show that the character goes through, but the fine details that go into being a teenage superhero. How do you handle being a sidekick, with an identity tied to being the back half of ‘Batman and?’ What is your role? How do you find your own unique identity? How do you realistically balance being a superhero with being a teenager?

”School? Friends? Romance? How do you cope with injuries that can last longer than the duration of a single panel? How do you deal with knowing that your life is literally on the line every time you step out into the night in that suit? Those are all questions I’d have if I were going to be wearing the suit, so I’d definitely like to get into them.”

But Beechen also wants to stress that while his series will explore those questions, his series “will not be a book about navel-gazing.”

”The focus will be on action, action, action,” he promised. “I just want to make even more Robin relatable and cool, a character people are going to look forward to reading about and talking about with other fans even more than they already do.

”I’d also like to make sure that what happens in the Robin book has resonance throughout the DC Universe. Things that happen here can and should affect other DC characters. I want to do my part to make this book ‘Must Read’ material.”

We'll check back with him in a few months to se if he succeeds...

Look for more coverage of the “One Year Later” DC Universe here at Newsarama soon…

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Greg Rucka On Supergirl

Ron Marz on New Ion Series

bluebird · 12-03-2005, 02:56 PM

Tim and Cassie are the only real Robin candidates, aren't they...particularly if Robin is still a teen (like, we won't see twentysomething Dick returning to reclaim the mantel), and if it's "Teenage CSI", then it's GOTTA be Tim, right? Because Cassie doesn't have hardly any detective experience at all.

The other hints though--costume change, being wary of the character, the strain—seem to point to Cassie, as a change in identity would necessitate all that. Soooooo I don't know, but at this point, the clue point to Tim Drake staying Robin.

bluebird · 12-03-2005, 02:57 PM

woo hoo! my first "first post" post!

MatthewSmith · 12-03-2005, 02:58 PM

Needless to say, I'm pumped about this news.

Adam Beechen certainly has an impressive resume, so I think I can rest easily on that front. And I absolutely love Karl Kerschl's recent work on Adventures. I'm sorry to see him leave that title, but this will do just fine.

And I love the Teenage CSI angle where we get to see Robin do actual detective work. Tim Drake is the kid who figured out Batman's secret ID on his own. Let's see him put those skills to work. That is, in its still Tim behind the mask. And I hope it is.

Lord Ruthven · 12-03-2005, 03:01 PM

Quote:

5. Robin’s relationship with Batman, at least to start, will be "somewhat strained, owing to something Robin has done. In fact, a number of heroes will be wary of Robin, and with good reason."

So it gets revealed that it was Robin who had Bruce Wayne committed to the asylum... ;-)

algertman · 12-03-2005, 03:03 PM

Quote:

5. Robin’s relationship with Batman, at least to start, will be "somewhat strained, owing to something Robin has done. In fact, a number of heroes will be wary of Robin, and with good reason."

Tim is gonna kill Jean Loring

UltimateAnth · 12-03-2005, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MattBrady
1.The person in the Robin suit will be very familiar to DC readers.
2. Robin will be returning to Gotham City as the character’s primary base of operations.
3. Robin’s costume will be modified.
4. Robin will remain a member of the Titans ("so I guess it’s safe to say the character will remain a teen"). The book will reflect Titans continuity more than in the past.
5. Robin’s relationship with Batman, at least to start, will be "somewhat strained, owing to something Robin has done. In fact, a number of heroes will be wary of Robin, and with good reason."

1. my guess is Tim Drake. might be Cassandra Cain, but she isn't much of a detective. can't think of any other teens that would fit.
2. i like the return to Gotham.
3. no cape? i wouldn't mind seeing him ditch the cape. maybe that's cause i'm more of a Marvel guy.
4. continuity is the new black.
5. maybe it is Cassadnra Cain. didn't she kill someone?

overall, sounds interesting. i haven't read Robin in years, but i will give this a shot. i think DC has a solid plan for OYL.

Rod Odom · 12-03-2005, 03:04 PM

Yet another Hollywood guy.

While good comic book writers are getting starved out.

Punchy · 12-03-2005, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rod Odom
Yet another Hollywood guy.

While good comic book writers are getting starved out.

Cartoons are hollywood?

Who would you put on Robin then?

This actually sounds like a good book, but I have a thing about Bat-sidebooks... damn! I'll try one issue.

Gordon McAlpin · 12-03-2005, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rod Odom
Yet another Hollywood guy.

While good comic book writers are getting starved out.

Don't be an idiot. Good writers are good writers, whether they've done TV or movies or comics.

COREMARK · 12-03-2005, 03:15 PM

Haven't bought Robin in a while, maybe I'll check this out. I love Karl Kerschl, his work on Majestic and AOS has been amazing.

Zadillo · 12-03-2005, 03:21 PM

Any chances that Spoiler is going to come back to life and become Robin again?

-Zadillo

MatthewSmith · 12-03-2005, 03:21 PM

Quote:

4. Robin will remain a member of the Titans ("so I guess it’s safe to say the character will remain a teen"). The book will reflect Titans continuity more than in the past.

Truth be told, this is the point I'm most excited about. All the interesting things that have happened to Tim in the last year or so have all occured in Teen Titans, and none of it has even been mentioned in his own solo book. So it delights me to no end to know that that's being taken care of.

tbumpkins · 12-03-2005, 03:21 PM

Hmmm, though it sounds like it's still Tim, the only other candidate I could think of that you guys haven't mentioned is Anarchy. He was a super smart teen character that was never actually a 'bad guy', so I could see him mysteriously stepping in, having a strain with Batman and being able to do intense detective work.

MatthewSmith · 12-03-2005, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zadillo
Any chances that Spoiler is going to come back to life and become Robin again?

-Zadillo

I certainly hope not.

Besides, she wasn't ready to keep the Robin mantle. So she certainly wouldn't be skilled enough now to do the whole CSI angle.

algertman · 12-03-2005, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rod Odom
Yet another Hollywood guy.

While good comic book writers are getting starved out.

whatever John

MatthewSmith · 12-03-2005, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tbumpkins
Hmmm, though it sounds like it's still Tim, the only other candidate I could think of that you guys haven't mentioned is Anarchy. He was a super smart teen character that was never actually a 'bad guy', so I could see him mysteriously stepping in, having a strain with Batman and being able to do intense detective work.

I used to really like Anarchy back in the day. I'd like to see more of him, but not as Robin. I wish he'd come back as one of Robin's main rouges.

JacktheKnife · 12-03-2005, 03:30 PM

I think it's still going to be Tim under that mask.

But just for shits and giggles...

1.The person in the Robin suit will be very familiar to DC readers.

Jason Todd

2. Robin will be returning to Gotham City as the character’s primary base of operations.

What a coincidence, Jason's already there.

3. Robin’s costume will be modified.

Hopefully not Jason's Robin outfit we saw a couple weeks ago in Teen Titans though.

4. Robin will remain a member of the Titans ("so I guess it’s safe to say the character will remain a teen"). The book will reflect Titans continuity more than in the past.

If it's not a teen, then the character must have a past with the titans....ala Jason Todd.

5. Robin’s relationship with Batman, at least to start, will be "somewhat strained, owing to something Robin has done. In fact, a number of heroes will be wary of Robin, and with good reason."

Jason returned from the dead and has been killing bad guys until persumably getting reformed by Batman...so Batman will be wary and other heroes who know his checkered past will be wary.

JoeZhang · 12-03-2005, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rod Odom
Yet another Hollywood guy.

While good comic book writers are getting starved out.

John - you've made a lot of money over the years - no need to be so bitter. You've still got blood of the demon (well for a few months).

Somniator · 12-03-2005, 03:37 PM

What possible need could there be for getting rid of Tim? He's a bloody good character, and I'll be annoyed if he's not still Robin OYL. Or, at the very least, if he moves on from being Robin, he'd better still have a big role to play.

UNLESS HE'S THE NEW BLUE BEETLE. THAT WOULD ROCK.

Rod Odom · 12-03-2005, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gordon McAlpin
Don't be an idiot. Good writers are good writers, whether they've done TV or movies or comics.

Hey, don't attack me because I speak the truth.

There are inded good writers in all sorts of fields. But why does DC and Marvel have to abandon the good comic writers? Just because they are veterans doesn't make their work less good !

Somniator · 12-03-2005, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rod Odom
Hey, don't attack me because I speak the truth.

There are inded good writers in all sorts of fields. But why does DC and Marvel have to abandon the good comic writers? Just because they are veterans doesn't make their work less good !

Sheesh, so no writer is ever allowed to cross from one medium to another?

"WE MUST STICK TO OUR OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWN!"

samnoir · 12-03-2005, 03:41 PM

It will be interesting to see where this trend with TV writers and novelists will go and how many will successfully make the transition.

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JacktheKnife · 12-03-2005, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rod Odom
Hey, don't attack me because I speak the truth.

There are inded good writers in all sorts of fields. But why does DC and Marvel have to abandon the good comic writers? Just because they are veterans doesn't make their work less good !

You do realize that Beechen has been writing superheroes and comics for a while right?

I mean he's been doing Justice League Unlimited (the comic) since it started and wrote for DC's animated stuff.

Where's the rule that says somebody can only write comics or for TV or for Movies? I think a writer should be able to write whatever he or she pleases

Rod Odom · 12-03-2005, 03:43 PM

Of course they should be let in. No one is saying "ban the Hollywood crowd."

But don't toss our comic writers (the good ones, at least) out the window. Reggie Hudlin writers a few somewhat average Black Panther stories and he gets rewarded with a Spdier-Man title. Christopher Priest has been giving us great stories for decades, including a great run on Black Panther. What does he get from Marvel now? Bupkus.