DCU Comic Book Reviews

ROBIN #152

It All Comes Back Around

September 2006

Written by Adam Beechen

Pencils by Freddie E. Williams II

Inks by Freddie E. Williams II

Cover by Patrick Gleason & Prentis Rollins

Synopsis

Robin is on the streets in Gotham City, fighting crime while attempting to be “seen” so word can get back to Captain Boomerang, the son of the man who killed Robin’s father.  Unfortunately, after three nights, nothing has happened.  Later, Tim Drake goes to visits Zoanne for tutoring, although he really doesn’t need it.  That same evening, Tim begins the process of moving back into Wayne Manor as the adoption process to become Bruce’s son continues.  A call from a contact in the GCPD pulls him away.  Officer Harper tells Robin that an old-timer in the holding cell keeps telling everyone that the Joker has a nuclear bomb somewhere hidden in the city.  Robin listens to the old man and then goes to see if the tale is true.  Although he does not find the bomb, Robin does find evidence it had been there.  As Robin is heading out to gather more evidence, Captain Boomerang finds him.  Robin doesn’t want to talk; he needs to find the bomb.  Boomerang tells him it is time for a team up.

Review

This was a very good issue and certainly a good stepping stone for an interesting story of Boomerang and Robin getting to know one another.  I also liked the small bit with Zoanne and the conversation with Bruce.  I have said many, many times, in a super hero title it is important to get to know not only the person when he is in the costume, but also when they are out of the costume.  This issue presents all facets of Robins personality, from the fighter to the intellect to the detective and to the frightened kid who is trying to cope with the loss of his father and crime-fighting partner (Cassandra).  I have hopes that there will be a connection with Boomerang and perhaps the beginnings of a good friendship.  For some odd reason I think Robin needs to have costumed friends.  And, yes, I realize he is part of the Teen Titans but at times I think of those two as separate Robins since it is very rare (beyond the DCU-wide crossover) when one of the Titans appear in the Robin title. 

I think this issue also shows that Beechen was really cornered when it came to the Batgirl.  This issue works well and the story moves smoothly, whereas the Batgirl arc fell flat, mostly because I get the feeling the turn to the bad side for Cassandra was more likely mandated by DC editorial than a suggestion from Beechen.  Now that he has a chance to tell a story he wants to tell, I think we’ll start to see some good writing. -- MRB