DCU Comic Book Reviews

ROBIN #129

War Games Act 1, Part 5: Alamo High

October 2004

Written by Bill Willingham

Pencils by Giuseppe Camuncoli

Inks by Lorenzo Ruggiero

Cover by Dustin Nguyen

Synopsis

On the way school, Darla Aquista, the daughter of Galante mob boss Henry Aquista, is kidnapped by members of the Odessa Mob.  Tim Drake sees what happens, but he tells himself he can’t interfere.  However, when gunfire is exchanged, Tim jumps into the middle of the situation. He knocks down a kidnapper and grabs Darla, telling her to run to the school.  He tells someone in the crowd to call 911 before dealing with another kidnapper.  Suddenly, more gun shots are fired, revealing Arnold Wesker (aka The Ventriloquist) and Scarface who have decided they will kidnap Darla Aquista.  They follow her to school.  Tim takes a car and rams it into Scarface’s car.  After the crash, Scarface pokes his head out and Robin takes him away from Weskler.  At WBGK news room, Arturo Rodriguez hears of the gun battle at Tim’s school and he decides to investigate.  At the school, Tim gets information from Weskler before he literally throws Scarface to the police.  Tim then runs and hides in the school.  Meanwhile, the Galante mob learns that all of their families (wives, children) have been killed and Henry Aquista’s daughter is held hostage at her school.  Inside, Darla rushes to hug Tim and thank him for his help when she is shot in the back!

Review

Despite the cliffhanger from Gotham Knights, this issue pretty much grounds the entire War Games story to a screeching halt.  Whether this sudden shift in story was intended or not, I am not sure, but I think it works.  The only way it works, however, is in this title.  Because Tim is no longer Robin, because of Stephanie’s firing and the fact that there is no Robin, the editors had the luxury of shifting gears.  As strange as it seems, this is a book without any super heroes.  Given that, obviously Tim (or Stephanie) would not be involved in any of the gang battles.   Just as obviously, you knew they had to be involved in some manner.  Whether very good in planning ahead or just sheer luck, Willingham was able to take advantage of Darla and use her to get Tim involved.  Moreover, the situation with Darla’s kidnapping not only plays a role in the overall War Games story but looks to be the impetus to get Tim back into uniform as Robin. 

One of the interesting aspects of this issue was watching Tim deal with the bad guys.  Not Robin, but Tim.  This is important.  Even though they are the same person, they are (just like Bruce Wayne and Batman) treated as different.  I liked the way all of the students were mesmerized (and a little take aback) by Tim’s actions.  While reading those scenes I was struck by the thrill of watching Tim, yet the growing fear that someone would recognize Tim as Robin.  But then I realized exactly what this scene shows:  Tim is a hero regardless of the costume.  The gadgets and the mask are nice to have, but really it is the person we are that determines if we are a hero.  And as Tim risked his life and his identity to save Darla, I think it shows how much of a hero he really is. 

The ending is a little weird for a couple of reasons.  First, how and why was Darla shot?  It would almost have to be an accident since she is supposed to be leverage, not a corpse.  If it was an accident, that was some shot that only one bullet made it into the school and somehow it just managed to hit Darla.  Amazing.  Second, she was shot in the shoulder, why is Tim doing CPR?  Her heart would give out if she was shot in the chest or if she lost enough blood, but not from a shoulder wound.  Of course, if Tim continues the CPR and forgets to stop the bleeding, she will need CPR. 

The sequence with Scarface’s arrival and then subsequent car crash at the school was a little strange.  How did Tim get the car he is driving?  Did he borrow it or hot wire it?-- MRB 

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