DCU Comic Book Reviews

ROBIN #170

The Fix

March 2008

Written by Chuck Dixon

Pencils by Chris Batista and Jamal Igle

Inks by Cam Smith, Rick Ketcham, and Rodney Ramos

Cover by Freddie E. Williams II

Synopsis

Batman and Robin investigate a robbery of drug dealers in the middle of a deal.  The dynamic duo determine that it was simply a robber taking from criminals. The victim, Marcel Pincus, however, claims the robber was some kind of freak because she was dressed in a costume.  The next day at school, Tim runs into Ives Brennan, a friend from a previous school.  Later, Officer Harper arranges for Robin to meet with Pincus so Robin can learn more about the costume woman who robbed him.  Pincus tells Robin about a bowling alley that fronts for a gambling ring.  While investigating the place, Robin runs into the thief who goes by the name of Violet.  She attacks him and the fight, but Violet is able to get away.  The next day at school, Tim spies a blond girl who reminds him of Stephanie Brown (aka Spoiler).  Elsewhere, Pincus is sprung from jail and then taken directly to the Penguin, who tells him that he will help to lure Robin and Violet into the Penguin’s grasp.  

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

“She didn’t even get a memorial in the cave.”

For many people, Chuck Dixon is connected to their vision of Batman and Robin.  For most of the 90s, Dixon basically wrote all of the Bat-books:  Detective Comics, Catwoman, Robin, Nightwing, and Birds of Prey.  In fact, for the latter three Dixon wrote the very first issues.  I think many people would be psyched to see Dixon writing Robin once again and based on this issue, I think that feeling is definitely the feeling they should have.  This is good stuff from a writer who knows the characters as well as the medium of writing comics.  Dixon’s work is not going to create a major stir, but it is fantastic craftsmanship and a lot of fun.  He manages to bring back an old character (Ives), introduce an new character (Violet) and keep a recurring character (Zoanne) around, which shows that Dixon is interested in Tim as much as he is Robin.  This is good stuff and I can’t wait to read more. 

With the appearance of the Spoiler in Gotham Underground and now two different reminders of Stephanie in this title, it sure seems like she is coming back to the DC universe.  I am actually looking forward to see how this plays out and how Dixon handles her character, if indeed either Violet or the unknown blonde turn out to be Stephanie.  However, if it is the blonde, I would be a little upset at how she is re-introduced.  I mean, really, you were declared dead in a bloody war.  I would think you would harbor ill-will towards Batman for not coming to save you.  Or not come looking for you.  And your first thought is to enroll back in school?  And not tell anyone?

At one point during the fight, Violet asks:  “Who is this twerp?”  Are you telling me that you are in the middle of Gotham City and you don’t know who Robin is?  Moreover, you are wearing a costume.  One would think you are aware of other costume heroes and villains to the point that you would know who Robin is.  The big R should be a clue, I would think.  Okay, I’ll stop the rant, but man that just seemed so out of place.

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