Red Robin #9 Review

Written by Christopher Yost; Art and cover by Marcus To and Ray McCarthy

Red Robin returns to Gotham City as “Collision” begins! Now armed with the knowledge that Bruce Wayne is lost in time, what is Tim Drake going to    do about it?

The Red Robin title is suppose to be focusing on the search for Bruce Wayne. After 9 issues theirs only one clue of his where abouts, and that was back in issue 4. I wasn’t thrilled with Chris Yost “Council of Spiders” storyline, other then Marcus To beautiful art. Like many readers who are still reading Red Robin. We are hoping to find more information on the where abouts of the real Batman or what he’s been up to since Final Crisis. Like the conclusion to the “The Grail.” I was hoping for another clue to the conclusion of the Council of “Spiders.” It didn’t happen and I was very disappointed by the issue and the storyline it self. I thought it wasn’t worth the time to write a review. Now theirs a new storyline and Tim has finally return to Gotham City. Because of that I thought it was worthy to give the title another chance.

Some Spoilers…..

Tim Drake returns to Gotham City because Ras Al Goul has threaten to destroy Gotham City, and everyone Tim cares about, because he attacked the League of Assassins in issue 8. Issue 9 begins with Drake taken down Killer Moth. After their battle and the arrest of Killer Moth. Tim explains  Bruce is some where in time. I don’t know how Drake figured out Bruce is back in time after only seeing a bat symbol in a cave in the conclusion of “The Grail.” I’m more interested in reading how Drake learn more about Bruce’s disappearance then another terror attack on Gotham City by Ras Al Goul.  Tim’s attitude has dramatically change after knowing Bruce is really alive and not dead, he’s extremely happy. Superboy and Krypto makes a surprise appearance in the issue, and he’s even surprise to see how happy Drake has become. Its always great to see the two characters reunite, because it reminds me of their Teen Titans days when Geoff Johns wrote the Teen Titian title. I thought Drake was very out of character for awhile with all his happiness. Tim is still watching out for Tammy and her father Lusious Fox, because she’s now evolve in the crossfire with Ras Al Goul.  Thomas (Bruce) Elliot and Vicki Vale featured in the issue as well.

Vicki’s trying to ask questions about Tim Drake to fake Bruce Wayne. Thomas Elliot does a great job acting  the part of playboy Bruce Wayne in front of Vicki Vale. The issue does get serious again when Drake received a call from Ras Al Goul to warn him that he already begun to attack someone close to Drake. The issue ends with Drake entering the batcave looking for Dick, Damien or Alfred for help. Instead he discovers Stephanie as Batgirl. I wished Chris Yost explain more of the information Tim has discovered about Bruce. Instead of just skipping it.  Again I thought the entire  Red Robin title run is to focus on the search for Bruce Wayne, but in every issue it gets further away from the main focus. Marcus To art continues to be wonderful and beautiful.I though he did a good job trying to draw a innocent Stephanie when  Tim Drake discovered she’s Batgirl. Marcus To’s fantastic Art is the only thing that continues to keep the title together. It would be great to see Marcus To’s talent being used in a DC Comics title that actually is having success. Instead of being under the boat. Red Robin issue 9 is a solid issue mostly because of another reunion with Drake and Connor, which makes it worth picking up. Chris Yost “Collision” storyline continues in Batgirl issue 8.