Red Robin #1 Review

Red Robin #1

Anyone not new to comics knows that widespread comic book events are a part of the gig; a big event is hinted at, then it happens, and so great is the story that some of it trickles into the title or plot of different side-characters. It’s this very method that sometimes can lead to surprises like Villains United from Infinite Crisis that spun into Secret Six, and it’s this very method that can also give our hopes up and then leave us hanging. I’m not saying that Red Robin #1 will end up like that but I have to be honest; this left me a little unsatisfied.

SPOILERS START HERE

The story is basically following Tim Drake, as Red Robin, as he runs around the world confused as to who he is and looking for his father, Bruce Wayne, who he does not think is dead. That idea isn’t what made me question this issue; I image Tim would be a little confused with his adopted father apparently dead and one of his friends taking the role of Batman and then not choosing him as Robin (a role which Tim has built as his own). And I think out of all the Robins it makes the most sense for Tim to be suspicious of Batman’s death. What made me go a little “eh” is that there were absolutely zero surprises and the whole thing just looks a little…bland.

Now I’m not saying I need a Jim Lee artist and Frank Miller writer just to be happy, I just found this issue to be kinda boring. I know it’s a #1 but nothing was really revealed (You didn’t know Red Robin was going to be Tim? Oh, well welcome to DC Comic books. For my rant on said topic go here), the scene with Damien and Dick left me more feeling bad for him than anything, and it took us to the end of the book for Tim to show suspicion into Bruce’s death, which the DC solicitation already spoiled for us (“Someone believes that Bruce Wayne may still be alive…and that someone is Red Robin”). I did like the twist of Ra’s Al Ghul tracking him down but the lack of depth here leads me to believe that no harm will come to him and in fact Ra’s (I think) wants to help him. And I wasn’t really blown away by the art either; there were several moments that seemed off (“Dick wearing a cowl in one panel and then ‘pop’ – he’s not) and every time we saw Tim in costume he seemed to have gained 20-30 pounds.

Overall I give this issue a 2.5 out of 5

Don’t get me wrong, I know a run can’t be judged on it’s #1, but this was just a little hard to swallow. I am interested to see what happens to Tim though and it will be interesting to see what evidence he might stumble upon on his way so I’m not giving up just yet…but I sure hope it gets better.