DCU Comic Book Reviews

ROBIN #155

Teenage Wasteland

December 2006

Written by Adam Beechen

Pencils by Freddie E. Williams II

Inks by Freddie E. Williams II

Cover by Patrick Gleason & Prentis Rollins

Synopsis

While Bruce Wayne appeals to the kidnappers through television, Tim Drake (aka Robin) is stalking his kidnappers, looking for a way to take them all down.  Unfortunately, Dodge has arrived to do the same.  Unseen by the kidnappers, Robin tries to help Dodge and is able to take down 5 of them, but unfortunately Dodge gets caught by their leader, Torrance, forcing Robin to reveal himself.  Elsewhere, Zoanne is questioned by the police and comforted by her parents a she cried about Tim being taken.  Meanwhile, Torrance gets away, thanks in part by Dodge teleporting himself right into Robin.  The two find Torrance, who is using the kidnapped kids as a shield.  Before Robin can act, Dodge teleports on the leader.  As Robin leads the kids away, Torrance fires at Dodge, who teleports away; the bullet instead hits Robin’s friend, Jared.  Robin attacks back, injuring Torrance and also damaging Dodge’s teleportation device, which shorts out, electrocuting Dodge.  When Robin goes to check on him, Torrance escapes.  Later, Bruce Wayne tries to tell Tim that the injuries to Jared and Dodge are not his fault, but Tim is having a tough time letting go....

Review

As with all of the issues post-Batgirl’s storyline, this was a very good issue.  The interaction with Dodge, the contrast between his youthful exuberance and naiveté paralleled to Robin’s stoicism and experience, makes for intriguing elements and in this case work very well indeed.  As we see Robin dealing with the villains in a methodical manner, using tricks and tactics learned from Batman, Dodge barrels head first into the situation, unaware of the danger he faces.  Beechen has emphasized Batman's teachings in most issues so far, so I am pleased to not only be told, but also shown how much his training has helped Robin does what he does.  Good stuff. 

I am curious to see where the ending of this issue will lead, if anywhere.  On the one hand, Tim has being a vigilante long enough to understand that things happen that are out of his control, so the silent brooding and self-recrimination seems out of character.  On the other hand, Tim has been portrayed as a sensitive young man, one who has bounced around from school to school and does not have many friends (and recently lost his best friend) so that perhaps he is beginning to feel the weight of all that he does.  As I said, it will be interesting to see where this goes, if Beechen follows up on it. 

I am glad Beechen decided (at the moment) to not have Robin attempt to train Dodge.  I think somewhere in the DCU, there is a good story waiting to be told (or maybe told already, correct me if I am wrong) of a young hero training a younger hero to disastrous results.  This would work well, especially in an extended "family" like the Batman titles in which the character's actions would have repercussions to a number of different characters (and titles).  While it is possible Robin could take Dodge under his wing at a later date, I would not be all that happy with it.  While I like the idea, I don't think it fits Robin.

Wackdonals?-- Review by MRB