DCU Comic Book Reviews

ROBIN #140

Veteran Affairs

September 2005

Written by Bill Willingham

Pencils by Scott McDaniel

Inks by Andy Owens

Cover by Scott McDaniel & Andy Owens

Synopsis

In Blüdhaven, the Veteran takes Robin back to his secret headquarters to continue his recruitment pitch to have Robin join the Veteran’s team in the war on terrorism.  Robin gets a tour of the facility and then later spars with several of the other officers.  In Gotham City, Darla Aquista finds old classmate Bernard Dowd in an effort to locate Tim Drake.  Meanwhile, Robin learns more about the Veteran and his team and seriously considers their offer to join.  Batman is skeptical and decides to investigate on his own.  When Robin goes to visit his “Uncle Eddie” to tell him of his plans, he finds Darla waiting for him.  She tells him that they will be together forever, once she works off her debt by killing Robin!

Review

“Hang up and dial 911!  Tell them I’m at the corner of...of....  Oh, great! I don’t know where I am, because your directions stink!”

This was not a good issue, but then it wasn’t really bad.  I guess it all depends on your opinion of the current story arc featuring the Veteran, either in terms of your own views of the military or your views on whether costumed vigilantes should be involved with the army.  Personally, I am not all that thrilled with the possibility of Robin heading over to Iraq, although I am intrigued to see where the folk tale/funnybook angle of the various members of the Veteran’s squad will lead.  Is this just a cute way to provide details to people who may have lived a long time or will this actually play out in the plot in some manner, perhaps revealing the Veteran to be a hoax? 

As for the other part of the issue, Darla’s “mission” to kill Robin as a debt for Johnny Warlock bringing her back to life will prove interesting.  Essentially, we have a nice girl who has been given some very dark powers, which she is uncertain how to use or to control them.  This contrast when placed against the contrasted feelings she has for Tim Drake and Robin, who are the same person, might prove to be very, very interesting. 

I don’t know why, but this thought occurred to me while I was reading this issue:  what the hell is the Veteran doing in Blüdhaven?  The obvious answer is that he is trying to recruit Robin.  But that does not explain why all of his other officers and a bunch of other soldiers are doing in Blüdhaven.  Why aren’t they in Iraq or something fighting the war on terrorism?  Why does it take so many to recruit on teenage boy (and is not 18 and therefore would not be able to join the army, but I digress).  Anyway, this is either sloppy writing and/or editing or this is a set up for something other than a recruitment drive.-- Review by MRB 

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