DCU Comic Book Reviews

ROBIN #166

The Big Leagues

November 2007

Written by Adam Beechen

Pencils by Freddie E. Williams II

Inks by Freddie E. Williams II

Cover by Patrick Gleason & Tom Nguyen

Synopsis

After tennis practice, Tim runs into Zoanne and is dismayed to learn she is dating the captain of the tennis team.  Later, Tim sets in motion the events for that night in preparation for a possible attack by Dodge and his gang of Gotham villains, Cheater, Skill, and Brutus.  In North Park, Tim is walking alone when the foursome step in front of his path.  However, it is Zatara in disguise.  Robin was able to set his trap with the help of Skill, who is really Ravager in disguise.  Robin then tells Dodge that he is going to take him back home to his parents.  Cheater and Brutus attack Robin.  Dodge helps to take down Brutus, but he is caught by Cheater.  With Cheater holding on to him, Dodge attempts to teleport.  It knocks Cheater unconscious, but causes Dodge to completely vanish.  Robin tells the others that Dodge is not dead and when Robin finds him, he will thank him for his help.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

The issue started great.  The scene at the tennis courts worked great (although I have trouble that someone with Robin’s abilities would lack the hand-eye coordination to hit a tennis ball) and I loved the brief bonding moment with Batman.  Nice little character-driven moments that really help to flesh out Tim’s world.  But then, the rest of the issue kinda slid downward from there.  The fight scene was less of a fight and more of the character spouting off to each other.  Robin’s insistence in trying to protect Dodge, return him to his family, and apologize for his early behavior when he ignored him seems a little hallow.  The sentiment feels right, but I don’t think that Beechen has done enough with the story and the characters to really sell Tim’s behavior.  It seems rushed and a little forced.  The fact that this is, I believe, Beechen’s last issue, reinforces that the Dodge story was wrapped up in only because Beechen wouldn’t be around to do it himself.  There were plenty of possible long-term plots for Dodge and most have better upsides than what was found in this issue. 

And, yes, I must say that my guess that Skill was actually Cassandra Cain in disguise was horribly wrong.  However, I did accurately guess that Skill was not who she seemed to be.  And even thought the use of Zatara seemingly came out of nowhere, I still liked it, if only for the Titans connection (even thought Zatara was kicked off the team).  But I would like to know, how did Zatara get out of the bubble?  Did it disappear when Cheater became unconscious.

I found it curious that Zoanne, who is presented as a black girl, went from dating Tim, who is white, to dating another white kid.  I am not sure if this was intentional in some way, either positive or negative, or if Beechen or Williams gave the matter any thought.  I am not criticizing the creators, or even applauding them; I am just wondering aloud.

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