Robin #136
Quick Review

 

It's been a while since I sat down to read an issue of Robin. I've kept up with the storyline from reading articles and internet forums, but decided to give it a try page-by-page this month. Following the events of Identity Crisis and the recent series of tragedies faced by the character, I wanted to see how it was impacting the monthly title.

Overall, I was pleased with the read. Not having all the back-story, the title quickly dropped me into the plot and I was happy to see a classic Batman villain, the Penguin, taking an active role in the overall story.

I really liked the sequence where Batman discusses what Robin will one day become. Batman explaining that he and Alfred will most likely work for Tim Drake before it's all said and done is a classic exchange.

I was lukewarm when it came to the primary villain, Dark Rider. I found it funny that Robin didn't even catch his name until the end of the fight.

At the heart of the matter, Robin is facing threats due to a bounty put on his head by Penquin. I would have enjoyed seeing a mix of villains bumping into each other as they went after the bounty but it was, at least, interesting watching the "boy wonder" take the villain apart a bit at a time.

I will add this title to my pull list to see where it's all headed. Long-lost uncle? Teaser at the end regarding big changes to come? Okay, I'll bite and stay tuned.

 

Official word from DC ...

 

Written by Bill Willingham; Art by Pop Mhan and Sandra Hope;
Cover by Damion Scott and Sandra Hope

 

He is a pale and ghostly figure who rides a horse made of living shadow. He is a bringer of death to all who face him. He is an assassin, bought and sold by the pernicious Penguin. He is the Dark Rider and he is coming for Robin!

 

Batman | 32pg. | Color | $2.25 US

On Sale March 23, 2005 

 

April 15th, 2005