DCU Comic Book Reviews

RED ROBIN #11

Collision, Part Three of Four

June 2010

Written by Chris Yost

Pencils by Marcus To

Inks by Ray McCarthy with Mark McKenna

Cover by Marcus To

Synopsis

In the batcave, Barbara Gordon (aka Oracle) informs Batman that Tim Drake (aka Red Robin) and Batgirl are involved with something just moments before she loses all power.  At Wayne Manor, Vicki Vale attempts to question Tam Fox about Tim’s whereabouts.  As they talk, Tam notices a rifle sight on Vicki.  Tam pushes her aside just as the gun is fired.  The two run.  Elsewhere, Red Robin, batgirl, and Prudence are fighting against the Seven Men of Death.  They are not doing too well, but are saved by the timely arrival of Batgirl’s motorcycle.  As they get away, the take along one of their attackers.  They question him and he lets them know that Ra’s al Ghul has target all of Batman’s associates for death.  Just then, Batman and Robin arrive.  In downtown Gotham, “Bruce Wayne” (Tommy Elliot in disguise) visits his lawyer at the behest of Ra’s al Ghul.  Meanwhile, Tam and Vicki search for safe ground.  Vicki demands to know Tim Drake’s secret.  Tam lies and tells Vicki they are engaged.  Just then, assassins close in, but Batgirl saves her.  She also wants to know about the engagement.  Meanwhile, Red Robin tries to determine Ra’s goal.  Elsewhere, Ra’s patient waits for Red Robin to make the next move.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

I hate it when the reader is smarter than the characters.  Or maybe I should I hate it when the characters are dumb.  Or…I don’t know.  I guess it is frustrating that we know the answer on why Ra’s al Ghul is targeting Batman’s associates, but the main character is clueless.  Granted, we’ve got more information than Tim does, but it is still hard to read when you keep thinking to yourself, “come on, Tim, remember about Hush!” At the moment, it is the one thing about this issue that is dragging down this story.  As the readers, we know where the story is heading, we can even see how the events will play out, but we still have to wait for Yost to go through the motions to get us there.  The rest of the issue flies by pretty quickly, hitting all the plot points with a few interesting twists along the way before reaching the cliffhanger.  I was actually surprised Yost didn’t have Tim figure it out at the end; it seemed logical and infinitely better than Ra’s statement that whatever happens next.  If only because we know what will happen next, because we are smarter than Tim.

When I started this issue I was wondering why Tim didn’t barrel through this set of assassin the way he had with the Wanderer and her crew.  It is incongruous that he could defeat 7 assassins on his own in a previous, but three trained fighters would have difficulty with the same number.  Luckily, Yost tossed in text about the new group being better fighters and trained under Sensei, so it is a little easy to swallow.  But it is still strange to see. 

The scene with Batman in this issue made a lot more sense than the one earlier in this series, where Dick and Tim argued with each other and then fought.  My opinion of Dick and Tim is that they have the relationship where they trust and respect each other and the different talents they have, but also the instincts they have as crime fighters.  So, it was nice to see Dick make the decision to follow Tim’s lead without getting into a fight about it. 

 

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