Despite the fact that they all run around in silly costumes, some caped characters get more respect than others. If you say you’re a Batman fan, even his harshest geek critics won’t make fun of you, at least to your face. But saying that Robin is one of your favorites leads to snickering and the occasional joke about inappropriate pixie boot fetishes.
Um, ew. And whatever. Tim Drake Wayne —Robin III and the current Red Robin — is my ace, and I’m totally OK with that.
As far as I’m concerned, Tim is one of the coolest teen heroes this side of Ultimate Universe Peter Parker. Unlike his predecessors, or even his successor, Damian, Tim wanted the Robin job, and he earned it through sheer tenacity and top-notch detective work. Even Batman had to give the boy his props, which is not exactly easy for him. Until his real father was killed in Identity Crisis, Tim had a somewhat normal home life, something all but nonexistent in the Bat Universe. I’m still upset about that plot development, but I don’t have Brad Meltzer’s telephone number.
Anyway, it was Geoff Johns’ Teen Titans run that really made me a Tim Drake fan. Guarded but thoroughly badass, Tim emerged as a natural leader in a group of occasionally whiny, me-so-angsty teens. He stood out by simply not being annoying, but he also put to those pixie boot jokes to rest. Tim went toe-to-toe with Deathstroke (Slade Wilson), sliced him with a custom “R” shuriken, and then talked a little smack:
Slade: “Vicious.”
Tim: “When I have to be.”
While sneaking out of Titans Tower against Starfire’s orders, he put that whole sidekick thing in perspective.
Cassie Sandsmark (Wonder Girl): “Wait a second. You just lied to Starfire?”
Tim: “I lie to Batman.”
But my favorite Tim moment was in an exchange with his best friend, Superboy (Conner Kent). Sensitive about being a Superman/Lex Luthor mashup, Conner accused Tim of being “just like Batman” when he secretly took a piece of his hair for lab testing. Eventually, Conner had to eat those words, admitting, “I was wrong. You’re nothing like Batman.”
Tim: “I’m nothing like anybody.”
Damn straight. My friend Shag teases me about being the only person on Earth who’s reading Red Robin, but the naysayers are missing a truly interesting story about a likable hero — one who has been trained by the best, but gets things done his way. My daughter pointed out that Tim resembles Joe Jonas, which, from her point of view, is awesome.
Even in a ridiculous story (I’m looking at you, Battle for the Cowl), no one on the corner has swagger like Tim. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
Who isn’t reading RR? That comic has been great so far! The writing’s been great, the art has been consistently great and the new character’s introduced were likable.
I’ll always love Grayson more than Tim but believe me, Tim is a SUUUUPER close second in my ‘Favorite Robin’ category. What can I say, I’ve never not liked a mullet (though that rat tail was just- uggghh what were you thinking Grayson???)
You didn’t like Timmy in YJ? He really shined in that imo.
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Its true for some reason people have a bad impression of Red Robin. I have been trying to get my brother to read it because he loves Batman but he refuses. Yost’s final issue was badass!!!
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@Arrowette, I love me some Dick Grayson! He’s grown so much beyond his Robin role that I tend to think of him immediately as Nightwing/Batman. Love. Him. It’s always great to see the big brother/little brother dynamic between those two. (By the way, I really need to re-read the Young Justice stories. It’s been a while.)
@Comicconcept, your brother is missing out! You are so right about Yost’s last issue. It was full of action, and there was such a good mix of comedy and Very Special Moment panels. Red Robin fans, unite!
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YES!! Reread Young Justice. Peter David did not disappoint at all pretty much the whole series!! The jokes are still funny! As well as the costumes (fade, earing, leather jacket with metal spiky shoulder pads, masks too big for your face however no high riding thongs thank goodness). Read it!
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Great post on Tim Drake. You’re right on the mark. And RR has been a fun and exciting book.
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Thanks, Steven! Tim Drake fans have good taste.
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Check out Red Robin 15 – the commentary from Tim about his last name is just heartbreaking….
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Yes! It iS.
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i. love. tim.
theres reli nothing more to it. he is just plain fawesome, and despite that Dick is robin who keeps getting laid, tim is just… i mean WHY would no one tap that?
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I suspect that will not be a problem for Mr. Tim once he gets a little bit older. He is … quite adorable. I can say no more.
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I LOVE Tim more than Dick and even a little more than Bruce.
He is just the best!
I am going to read Red Robin! :)
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I love dick, as long as he is with Barbara, but nobody comes close to Tim.
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Tim is awesome. Love him!
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Can anyone tell me which article the photo is from?
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It’s from one of the later issues of Red Robin, but I’d have to go back into my longboxes to find out the exact issue.
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