AMBIDEXTROUS 242: YEAR WONDER

[MattBrady]

by Brandon Thomas

“Well, I’ve got good news and bad news…”

The preceding line was coming from the editor of Robin, but I already knew what he was going to tell me. It had been several weeks since I’d submitted a fairly monstrous proposal, in the incredibly distant hope that I could beat the odds and convince DC that I was the guy to succeed Adam Beechen on the title. The minute I heard he was leaving the book, I got in contact with the only editor at DC that I’d had a previous relationship with, and asked him if he knew whose office the book was in, and if they’d found a new guy yet. You know, just to say I did, because it was one of those things I’d kick myself about later. Turns out the person I only wanted some information from was the man now editing Robin, and he was kind enough to allow me to pitch for the book. And when I did, he and his assistant (another hardcore Robin fiend) really, really liked the proposal. But after several weeks of floating between blind hope and concentrated skepticism, the editor was calling to inform me that they were going in a different direction.

That was the bad news of course, but the good news was that the writer they’d chosen was no stranger to the character and probably the only dude I’d actually be excited about losing the gig to. More good news was that there was a slight gap between the end of Adam’s run and the beginning of Dixon’s, so as something of a consolation prize, I was offered the assignment of scripting Robin #167. Which I took with absolutely no reservations or hesitation, of course. The story I got to write was even the first issue of the proposal I’d called “Year Wonder,” with a slightly revised ending that substituted Captain Boomerang with Batman, ultimately making it a much more emotional affair.

With Dixon back to doing what he does best, I thought it’d be interesting to include some excerpts from the proposal that led to me penning an issue of one of my all-time favorite comics. Included below are my mission statement, the last two storylines I proposed, and a small epilogue all about the writer who is a huge reason why I’m writing comics in the first place. Enjoy with my compliments.

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Robin: Year Wonder
Series Proposal (16 issues)
Brandon Thomas
May 2007


Robin should be one of the biggest books that DC publishes.

The character remains a critical element of two main franchises (Batman & Teen Titans) and the potential growth for Tim Drake, especially in the wake of recent events, is clearly unlimited. The young hero who essentially kicked his way into the Bat-cave in the early nineties holds little in common with the one that’s been forced to survive the deaths of his ex-girlfriend, father, and best friend. These compounded losses would have crushed an ordinary man, let alone a boy, but somehow Tim was able to emerge, and with a newfound dedication to his chosen vocation. There was a time when Tim Drake was perfectly content to someday retire as Robin and live out his adult life as a civilian, but that time has now passed. To even entertain the thought of quitting would dishonor the memory of the people he’s lost, and at this point, Tim has no intention of leaving his life as Robin behind. Only in saving as many lives as humanly possible.

This proposed run is all about the concept of family, and the effects (both positive and negative) it has on the lives we lead. This notion is especially relevant in regards to Bruce Wayne and the small family of heroes he’s created, as their origins and motivations largely stem from terrible events committed against family members. Without their respective tragedies, none of these characters would even exist and that will be the main thrust of these stories. Every one of them is designed to examine what a person is willing to sacrifice in the aim of protecting and honoring the people closest to them, and to document the consequences of those sacrifices.

Robin will also operate as a thematic bridge between the Batman and Nightwing titles, and ultimately contribute to the legacy of Bruce Wayne. Tim Drake should be (for a variety of reasons) the last teenage partner that Wayne takes on, and in essence, he’s the final hope for providing a true, lasting successor to the mantle. Grayson was smothered by his relationship with Bruce, and will always need to pursue that sense of independence he was continually denied. Jason Todd was killed in the line of duty, later returned from the dead, and while having made some definite strides in recovering himself, clearly can’t be trusted with such an enormous responsibility. But Tim Drake is something altogether different: a young man who didn’t require a tragedy to ignite his sense of heroism. Drake’s motivations were always purely altruistic, and this separates him from similarly themed heroes created by chance and poor circumstance. Given his personality and the heroes that have contributed to his extensive training, it’s very likely that he’ll become one of the greatest heroes to ever populate the DC universe.

And these stories will encompass a single year in his continued development. They’ll push him to his emotional and physical limits, set him against adversaries both new and old, intensify the connections he shares with his surrogate family, and conclude with a moment of ultimate sacrifice that will propel his standing in comics to the next level.

Welcome to Year Wonder…

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Coulrophobia (4 issues)-
In a very obvious nod to Chuck Dixon’s The Joker’s Wild mini from the early nineties, this story once again requires The Boy Wonder to handle a Joker outbreak without the aid of his mentor, who is currently overseas chasing down Ra’s al-Ghul. The newly re-energized Clown Prince of Crime engages in a series of devastating terrorist style attacks on Gotham City, showing even less mercy and restraint than usual. Office buildings have Joker gas pumped into their ventilation systems, city landmarks are leveled with high explosives, police officers and city officials are found dead, as the Joker elevates himself to the status of an overwhelming, potentially unstoppable Authority villain. His presence, and his henchmen, are literally everywhere all at once, and it’s impossible for Robin to do anything but pick up the scattered pieces. And just as Tim begins to crack from the terrible odds and the rising body count, realizing that without Batman he stands no chance…the Dark Knight disappears without a trace.

While Dick Grayson leads the effort in locating him, Robin issues a priority one alert and summons the Teen Titans to Gotham City. Behaving more like his mentor than ever before, Drake takes on the role of squad leader and somewhat embraces the fact that he is the one man standing between the city and almost total destruction. He turns the Titans into a finely tuned instrument, directing their counter-offensive with almost surgical precision while simultaneously using every skill he’s learned as a detective to discover where Joker is launching his attacks. Commissioner Gordon and his men are doing their best of course, but the clown’s initial strikes targeted several members of the Special Crimes Unit, which seriously impedes what little progress they’re capable of. Everything rests on Tim Drake’s shoulders, and the young hero finds new limits as he’s forced to anticipate and ultimately control the whims of an uncompromising psychotic. One that’s recently deduced that Batman is missing and grows even more enraged that his greatest enemy is actually missing the festivities.

With his friends backing him up, Tim manages to put the brakes on the escalating carnage, but not before being beaten to almost nothing in a final confrontation with dozens of Jokers high above Gotham. The victory costs more than he could ever imagine though, as hundreds of innocent people are dead, one of his teammates is seriously injured, and as bad as things are, he acknowledges that without his efforts, the situation would’ve ended much, much worse. In a long history of unconscionable acts committed upon it by the Joker, Gotham will likely never forget the “rain of smiles” and the aftermath of the incident spells change for the entire city.

Returning to the cave to have his wounds tended to by Alfred, the worst night he’s ever experienced gets that much worse when Nightwing makes contact and informs him that in all likelihood Bruce has fallen into the hands of Ra’s al-Ghul. And if they want to have any real chance of saving his life, Tim needs to bring something with him to the
rendezvous point. That thing is Jason Todd…

Round Robin (5 issues)-
This storyline kicks off with the directive Dick Grayson gave Tim at the close of the Joker arc: find Jason Todd, and do it quickly. Even reeling from his psychological and physical punishment at the hands of both Jessica Crane and the Joker, Drake manages to track down the elusive man and relay al-Ghul’s ultimatum that they all appear before him if they want Bruce to live. Somewhat reluctantly, he agrees to join Drake and rendezvous with Grayson. Only after launching an assault on the stronghold in which they believe their mentor is being held, do they learn the true meaning behind Ra’s unusual demand.

For years, the environmental terrorist has pursued Bruce Wayne as a potential protégé and suitor for his daughter’s hand, only to be met with resistance and often-violent confrontation. He’s done with it, and believes he’s found the most obvious solution…force one of the young men trained and instructed by Wayne into becoming his apprentice, and use their relative youth to methodically corrupt them. To facilitate this anointment, the Robins will be forced into a competition, consisting of rigorous physical and emotional trials to determine which of them is the most worthy of this opportunity. Should they refuse, Bruce Wayne will be brutally killed, and they’ll soon follow his grisly fate.

Thematically, this arc is the culmination of the work we’ve been doing since
“The Promise,” and is about one thing above all else…the concept of family and its influence (both positive and negative) on the lives all of us ends up leading. From the moment Tim Drake makes his vow on the grave of his father, we’ve been racing up to this point. Here, Tim and his family will face some of the most challenging circumstances they’ve ever encountered, and will only be able to rely on their own endurance and instincts to survive.

Al-Ghul has already spent considerable time torturing and abusing Batman, but what the Robins experience is possibly worst…separated and set against each other in open war, fighting to stay alive long enough to effect an escape. But navigating an endless forest, fighting off a horde of the world’s greatest martial artists, and scaling an impossible mountain peak with minimal supplies (among other things) is almost more than they can individually bear, even with Bruce’s considerable training. And at every moment, every one of them is taking it all in, looking for that way out, or finding ways to secretly communicate amongst themselves. For those few folks that are still wondering just why there’s a Robin at all, this storyline effectively settles that question.

The core of this storyline (chapters 2-4) will each focus on a different Robin, in order of their tenure, crossing into and out of the other characters’ ordeals, while spotlighting the individual characteristics that make them unique. Dick’s natural athleticism, Jason’s overwhelming rage and anger, and Tim’s natural intelligence are all on display, but ultimately, it’s young Drake that interests al-Ghul the most, and he’s named the victor. Naturally, none of the others will even consider abandoning Tim, but the young hero makes the choice for them when he sacrifices himself to set them all free. Dick, in particular, finds the development impossible to stomach, and vows to come back for Tim, even if he has to call every superhero in the world to do it. Strangely, Bruce vetoes that idea, insisting that Tim made his choice to save their lives and they should honor his incredible sacrifice. In reality, he’s not ready to admit the truth to Grayson, that he and Tim had a conversation before the final escape attempt, detailing his intentions to make a deal with the devil if it was the only way to set his family loose. And that if forced to make that choice; he would use every weapon at his disposal to end Ra’s al-Ghul, once and for all.

And Batman, seeing the overwhelming rage in Tim’s young eyes, agreed to the dangerous backup plan. Now, he has to live with his decision, and do the one thing he finds the most difficult…trust that his partner can do something even he couldn’t manage. And do this without losing everything that’s important to him.

The final scene of this story is as heartbreaking as the one from the first issue. Here, Tim is strapped to a table and preparing for the “softening” phase of his apprenticeship under al-Ghul, who believes the young Robin needs some lessons in general obedience. A torturer then steps forward, holding a cattle prod crackling with electricity, inching it closer and closer to Drake’s chest. Tim barely notices, repeating the words he said on his father’s grave over and over, using them to find the strength for what will come next. His body catches fire, and it all gets more interesting from there.
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One Last Thing-
Tim Drake is the character that really introduced me to comics. In the spring of ’92, my father took me to my first comic shop and set me loose inside, my attention naturally gravitating to the more notable characters from the big two. Which meant Batman, and quickly thereafter, his young partner that I met through the second mini-series Chuck Dixon had written, featuring the Joker. Quickly, this new Robin became my favorite character in comics and I spent months tracking down every single issue he’d appeared in, both in and out of costume. I sought out the “Death in the Family” arc to understand the circumstances that led to his introduction, the “Lonely Place of Dying” story that thrust him into the spotlight. The first time he put on the new outfit, the first night Batman allowed him out on nightly patrols, I made sure I had everything that had anything to do with Tim Drake, making the character my very first comic-based obsession.

His nearly exclusive writer Chuck Dixon also became someone I greatly admired, and one of his seminars at a Chicago con is the main reason I decided to bypass an expected career writing adventure novels to pursue comics. Several of the original characters I created in high school were some variation of Robin, and with absolute sincerity there is no other personality in comics I’d rather write stories about, including his very popular (and rightfully so) mentor.

I’m aware that I’m not the most experienced writer to pitch for this assignment, but I’m confident I can bring a passion and hunger to the storytelling that will make it worth taking a chance on me. I’m eager to continue my development as a creator, and with some guidance I could become someone that could contribute to the growth of the DC stable of characters for years to come.

Thank you again for this opportunity, and I hope to hear from you soon.
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Thanks for reading folks, and I apologize for the absence of The Cool. Just wasn’t space for it, but I’ll try to get back on it next week when Miranda Mercury makes her long awaited return to the column…

B

[WoofofSteel]

NICE! Robin's back on my pull list...

[brucewayne1]

Some great storytelling elements here, and a welcome look inside the medium that we all enjoy. Thank you for posting this.

[vbartilucci]

I gotta love the irony of Dixon getting the job after getting mentioned so many times in this proposal. I can almost imagine the editor reading this and thinking, damn, yeah, Dixon WAS a good writer on Robin...I wonder what HE's doing?

[BoosterGold]

So DC chose beechen over this guy? wow DC can't do ____ right.

[skaly]

Originally Posted by BoosterGold

So DC chose beechen over this guy? wow DC can't do ____ right.

I think you might have misread. My understanding was that DC chose Chuck Dixon over "this guy."

[tgc]

Originally Posted by BoosterGold

So DC chose beechen over this guy? wow DC can't do ____ right.

No, DC chose Chuck Dixon over Brandon.

[skaly]

Originally Posted by WoofofSteel

NICE! Robin's back on my pull list...

I know what you mean. I added Aquaman to my pull list after reading Mark Waid's pitch.

[lsp]

That is a nice well-reasoned engaging pitch. And there is no chance of something like that getting through at DC.

Most of the ongoing series are there to serve the company wide crossovers which are explained as the 'spine' of the company's Universe. Planning far in advance is a waste of time because from time to time someone else will decide what goes into the series that you are writing.

Having a plan is great. Having a direction is great. Maybe you could get an arc through here and there. But from time to time, the destination on your roadmap will be moved due to events beyond your control.

Bill Williams
Free comics at- http://www.wowio.com/users/searchres...PublisherId=81

[C20Percent]

My first impression after reading this proposal is it's simply way too big for the Robin series -- I wish that weren't true, but I think something like this is even pushing the limits for Nightwing. This might work in a Bat-Book Crossover, but we probably won't see one of those for a while.

Then there's the fact that the Joker is not usable right now because of Salvation Run, but like Dixon you could have simply made the villain The Penguin, and Jason Todd not available because of Countdown. All of that would result in Newsarama questioning you over and over again when this story takes place.

I will say this: Just from the summary alone -- without reading any dialogue -- it did seem very entertaining. And ending an issue with Robin on fire could have definitely been one of those rare "Holy ____!" moments.

[Comic-Reader]

Originally Posted by lsp

That is a nice well-reasoned engaging pitch. And there is no chance of something like that getting through at DC.

Most of the ongoing series are there to serve the company wide crossovers which are explained as the 'spine' of the company's Universe. Planning far in advance is a waste of time because from time to time someone else will decide what goes into the series that you are writing.

Having a plan is great. Having a direction is great. Maybe you could get an arc through here and there. But from time to time, the destination on your roadmap will be moved due to events beyond your control.

Bill Williams

That may be true, but if you're pitching something, you aren't going to be privy to editorial plans, so you have to pitch it as if they were going to let you do what you want so at least you can show that you understand the character and his place in the scheme of things at DC or Marvel.

Then once they give you the job, they tell you what to write. But I'm sure he knew that.

Now as for his actual proposal, I wasn't crazy about the segments he showed because they involved too many guest stars, and I think Robin needs to be alone for awhile. That Joker arc seemed too Teen Titansish for a Robin story.

[Ionicavenger]

What a fantastic pitch for a series that always seems to be right on the edge of greatness. The heritage alone of the character of Robin is SO important to the DC Universe. I will say that it is disappointing to learn that Brandon's pitch will not be used. If you have to go another direction, Chuck Dixon is the way to go. Dixon has essentially redefined TWO Robins already with his Robin Minis and the ongoing Nightwing. Speaking of, if we are jumping into the way back machine - can we get Dixon back on Nightwing? Please???

[whitemarkd]

Fantastic pitch - that's exactly the kind of Robin story I want to read. Maybe you'll get your chance someday...

[skyking]

I really enjoyed reading this pitch and it is a shame that DC couldn't have used some if not all of these ideas in a "Legends of the DCU" or "Legends of the Dark Knight" series of Trade Paperbacks (If these even existed). This would have allowed your vision to have been realized without disrupting the Final Crisis plans DC has put into place.

Come to think of it, if DC wasn't so intent on destroying the multiverse they just created at the end of "52," couldn't one see a Tim Drake focused world where these stories could have happened with no problem at all? (Bruce Wayne older, Dick Grayson healthy, Jason Todd never killed, but Tim Drake as the true successor to the Batman mantle).

[Caronte]

Memorability. This would have defined the Bat-Family for a long long time.

I disagreed a lot on not seeing Tim Drake anywhere during "Kingdom Come" ( please correct me if I am wrong). And now that they are introducing some of it's characters in "continuity", the fear of loosing it is a more solid probability.

Of the "new" characters, this is the one who has been treated best. Therefore, there is more character in him and it's worth inside the DC universe is unquestioned. Looking at what the character has been put through and what would be coming this year; I can only say that he's going to be in more "pull lists" than usual.

Since Final Crisis is coming, and the Bat-Family is treated with a kid-surgeon's precision and care; we would never get a shot at this pitch unless it became a mini outside the regular book to "introduce us" to a newly directioned Robin.

We still have to see him shake-off a lot of emotional baggage, like Cap Boomerang's son, Wonder Girl, his best friend's death, The Spoiler, stress as a TT lead...and I guess no one can overcome looking at his father dying while The Batman holds you for some sort of comfort. Eeerie...

Brandon Thomas: I SAY COOL THAT WE GET TO SEE YOUR WRITING IN #167

And I still want to see this reality show-like Big Brother for Robins story somewhere. Welcome Chuck Dixon as well...

[Capt_Piett]

Even if the Joker wasn't off planet for Salvation Run, killing for the sake of killing really isn't the Joker's style. He usually ALWAYS has some sort of underlying plan or scheme that goes along with whatever mayhem he causes. I can't see that MO fitting the Joker, though attempting to kill Robin certainly does. It sort of sounds like the Planet-X arc for Grant Morrison's X-Men in the terms of it's scale and scope and destruction.

This arc might work for an Elseworlds type of universe, but not part as the DC Universe overall, IMO.

[SageShini]

Originally Posted by Comic-Reader

Now as for his actual proposal, I wasn't crazy about the segments he showed because they involved too many guest stars, and I think Robin needs to be alone for awhile. That Joker arc seemed too Teen Titansish for a Robin story.

Meh. Sometimes I wonder if fans really understand the meaning of "shared universe". Why *wouldn't* Tim call the Titans in a situation like that? "Because the name of the book is Robin, not Teen Titans" is NOT an answer.

Anyway....damn. This was an *excellent* pitch, and now I realize there ARE people capable of writing the book whose name isn't "Chuck Dixon". It would be nice if this saw the light of day...somehow. And, of course, that if they picked Dixon's pitch over Brandon's, it has even more action and drama and elements that'll take Tim to the next level. One hopes...

[SalBeerch]

This was really fun to read, which is a pretty good indication that I would have LOVED your actual run. I especially like your idea that Tim Drake can be so much more in the DCU, he just needs one, great big chance to prove it. While I am looking forward to the familiar feel of Chuck's run, I truly appreciate your respect for progress. Don't give up!

[EMeadow]

Brandon, I'd have been proud to have bought every issue of your run with plots such as that.

Sounds fantastic!

[patient37]

It's a really grand proposal, and sounds like it would have made a great storyline---but why did you post it here? If you had hung onto it until Dixon eventually left the title a few months or years down the road, you could have retooled it slightly to fit the status quo of that time. Now that you've posted it here, there's hardly any chance of seeing this in print.

[Newtype1089]

I can't believe I'm actualy madd that Chuck Dixon is writig Robin

[abomination]

Sounds like it would have been an interesting run.It's too bad we won't see it....At least Chuck Dixon should tell some good Robin stories.

[Caronte]

I think he posted it here because it is a pitch that has been already neglected. So to speak he protects his story and his pitch sharing it with us. Unless DC wants a shot at it, no one should use this ideas and concepts. Maybe they could, but the similarities and the details inside the complete pitch already read by DC, protect his ideas.

Think of it as that huge vault in Indiana Jones where they hide and stock all the wonders of the world.

Bat-Books always have some sort of planned direction thru the year. It's a product, complete with logos, added value, a production crew and coordination with other departments (i.e. Final Crisis or any other crossover). So to publish something as redefining and edgy as this story, it would take a big effort on all sides; or some time for it to happen "when the dust settles down" and there's time for this pitch.

As for the Joker, I don't think we got enough details on how he makes a break and starts his vendetta. Batman's absence from Gotham is motive enough for him to go wild, plus a madman does not need a reason or an MO to kill.

Calling on the Teen Titans would have been good, who else does he call? they would see the grim and grittiest side of Ronbin while helping in Gotham. It's contrasting, too much color in darkness, it doesn't fit the mold, whatever. That's why it would be good, besides, Kid Devil, Raven and The Ravager kinda fit in Gotham, lol.

[tbumpkins]

Year Wonder seems very fun, and I love the appreciation for the character you give there. Is there really no chance for this ever to be picked up?

Originally Posted by SageShini

Meh. Sometimes I wonder if fans really understand the meaning of "shared universe". Why *wouldn't* Tim call the Titans in a situation like that? "Because the name of the book is Robin, not Teen Titans" is NOT an answer.

I agree, as long as it's not blown out of proportion as , "Look, ROBIN's friends the TEEN TITANS are here!" This was something I enjoyed about Joe Kelly's Superboy, he would have Robin or Young Justice there every once in a while and it felt natural.

[Kamandi2]

As interesting as it sounds, I'm actually glad they didn't go for this pitch.

Advancing Robin another year after he just got advanced 2 years over the last 2 years would have hurt the character in the long run and almost move him out of his teens.