DCU Comic Book Reviews

ROBIN #183

Robin Dies At Dawn

April 2009

Written by Fabian Nicieza

Pencils by Freddie E. Williams II

Inks by Freddie E. Williams II

Cover by Freddie E. Williams II

Synopsis

Lady Shiva writes a message to Robin, delivered to the Gotham City Police.  Upon reading the note, Robin fears he may not live ‘til morning.  When Robin returns to the batcave, he encounters Jason Todd.  Robin tells Jason Batman left a message for him.  Later, Robin breaks up Zoanne.  He tries to call Stephanie, but gets no answer.  He then faces Lady Shiva.  The two battle briefly, but it is over quickly as Robin drugged Shiva several hours earlier.  Robin tells her he might not be a better fighter, but he can fight smarter.   

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

I think that a number of regular readers of the Batman titles may actively dislike this title because, let’s face, Robin should not be able to get the better of Lady Shiva.  Or at least in the realm of the DC universe and how geeks tend to look at these things.  Frankly, it doesn’t matter to me one or the other.  Well, no, let me take that back.  It does matter to me because I dislike the fact that Shiva has such a large role here when she had not been seen in this title since whatever it was.  I like the fact the Nicieza rings her back since Shiva was a large part of the beginning of Robin’s run, but he doesn’t do in an organic way; it feels more like a writer’s decision rather than a character decision, if you ca understand the distinction.  Having said that, I do love Nicieza’s construction of the story, with Robin preparing for the final showdown by reflecting backwards on his life as well looking forward to his new role as Gotham’s protector.  I like the reflective nature of this final issue.  It makes sense in the larger context of what is happening with the character as well as the fact that this is the finale issue of the book.  There is a nice sense of closure to the series.  I just wish that Niciezca had either found a different character or found a better way to integrate Lady Shiva into this final story.  Despite that, it is still a good ending and I look forward to see where Tim Drake ends up in the Batman-less Gotham. 

The cover to this issue is a homage of the cover to the first Robin mini-series (art by Brian Bolland), which was released in 1992, I believe.  The title to the issue was also used in Batman, issue #165 (1963) and is one of the older stories that is such an important part of Morrison’s run on Batman and the R.I.P. story in particular. 

Origins & Omens

Written by Fabian Nicieza

Art by Freddie Williams II

Commentary

I vaguely recall the stories in the earliest issues of Robin from which the Obeah Man originally appeared.  Despite that, I like this particular story because it brings the book full circle.  And if you’ve knocked around this site long enough, you know how much I love it when writers create that circle of life type of thing.  As for the omen portion of the story, I find it interesting that the Nightwing omen also had the gun wielding Batman.  And is that Dick Tim is arguing with? 

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