Customer Reviews

Robin: A Hero Reborn

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book covers the beginning of Tim Drake as Robin. He is the third Robin and feels a strong need to prove himself. In his first adventures he fights and is even trained by, one of the world's best martial artists, Lady Shiva. Robin races to defeat a new threat more powerful than previous enemies. The terrorist Ghost Dragons have captured a sample of old bubonic plague and plan to unleash it, killing millions.

I really like Tim Drake as Robin because he does exactly what Dixon proposes: he "complements" Batman. He is not reckless and brash like Jason; if anything he lacks confidence. However, he is arguably the best detective of the three Robins, and incredibly clever.

His determination is what really impresses me. When he is training and feels so helplessly alone, he doesn't give in. That is a true hero. I also have always liked it when Nightwing and Robin get together. They just have such a great brotherly relationship. Chuck Dixon writes both characters really well.

Chuck Dixon is really great with these "coming-of-age" stories. Robin: "A Hero Reborn" is the story of one young man's journey to become a hero. He is not so arrogant to believe that he is destined to be great, and he acknowledges humbly the dangers of the world. Despite his fear, he bravely treads onward. Tim embodies our own struggles with inadequacy and anxiety and we cheer him on as he bests each new trial. This strong empathy between reader and protagonist is reason enough to check out this book for anyone curious to the motivations of a "Boy Wonder."

This book (which collects Batman #455-457 and the 5-part Robin miniseries) is best to be read right after "Lonely Place of Dying" where Timothy Drake got accepted by Batman to try out to become the new Robin. Here we see how 'the boy' Timothy Drake has to grow up and evolve to rightfully become 'the Boy Wonder'.

It all starts off with the three part story that runs through Batman #455-457 (with Art by Norm Breyfogle, which is sufficient but nothing great) in which Tim is ordered to stay home, while Batman is out on the streets. This in order for him to become fully prepared before he gets to roam the streets someday. Batman is determined not to make the same mistake with Tim he made with Jason Todd (see "Death in the Family"). But once things get too hot even for Batmans feet, Tim proves his worth (this is a story with one of Batmans major villains which shall remain nameless in this review because guessing who he might be is a vital point during the storyline). Storywise this is the most entertaining part of the book. After having proven his spirit is good, the Robin miniseries starts (with art by Tom Lyle, which is an improvement) with Tim getting send to Paris in order to learn more, and perfect his fighting skills. There he gets involved in a fight with a gang, which later turns out to be more than an average streetgang but instead an organisation lead by a mad man. Together with allies he met along the way he goes out to see if he can make a difference, and so his trip to Paris turns into a worldwide pursuit in which he learns a lot from the others and from himself.

This book is not for someone who's just out to get a nice self-contained Batman story (better get "Dark Knight Returns", "The Long Halloween" or "Batman: Prey" for that purpose) but it's a nice addition for people who like to keep track with the Bat-mythos. It continues right after the events that took place in "Lonely Place of Dying" so I'd really get that first (and if you want to know what all the hinting to 'Jason Todd' in the book is about you might wanna check out "Death in the Family" too, but that's optional, not a must). Given, it's not the greatest Batman-related story you'll ever read nor is it the most memorable, but it DOES make for a couple of hours of good, uncomplicated entertainment and will definately be worth your while (again, IF you're a fan of Bat-mythos).

I thought this Batman graphic novel was great!!! I really enjoyed seeing the new Robin (Tim Drake) taking the mantle of becoming the Dark Knight's sidekick. But it all doesn't happen just instantly, Tim Drake has to prove himself to be a true vigilante superhero by battling his own inner demons and through rigorous and grueling physical and mental training, just like Bruce Wayne had to do before he became the Batman. Plus he has to go up against a power-hungry druglord that plans to wipeout the whole city of Hong-Kong with a powerful secret weapon developed by the Nazis in World War II. I recommend this great graphic novel to all fans of the Batman mythos. I myself can't wait to buy the sequel to this story of the new Robin.

This is a great book that retells the origin of the Current Robin, Tim Drake, who stars in the self titled monthly comic book series. It follows young Tim's adventure from being first accepted into the "Bat Family" through some of his early training and his first solo adventure. Many of the characters still make appearances from time to time in the current comic stories. The art is solid and the storytelling is cool. I especially liked some of the more psychological stuff the book explores as Tim goes through the fears of living up to the mantle, and some of his own inner ghosts. I bought this years ago and it's still one of my favorite comic stories.

Lets face it: if there is no Robin, there is no Batman.

I nearly cried from reading "Death in the Family" when second Robin, Jason Todd, was killed. Robin represents a part of the Batman comics that enlightens us, makes us thrilled to be the kid, and follow the Dark Knight. That, combined with the fantasy that Batman could recreate his golden days with Richard Grayson (Robin I) died along with Jason.

Some people say Jason wasn't a hero, but I dont think that's correct. He was a child trying to fight in a man's war. Patience and diligence were lessons that he didn't learn.

In between Jason's rashness and Richard's perfection was a thin line that Tim had to walk. But he walked on that path because he knew that Batman needed a Robin. It didn't have to be perfect, but Robin had to exist. Yet in order for Tim to be worthy of the mask, he had to experience something terrible in his life, something Batman had felt before: loss of a loved one.

Frustrated by his mother's death and haunted by visions of the two former Robins, Tim managed to past the test by focusing on what counted. He conquered his fear and concentrated on using his brilliant detective mind to close a case. What mattered was rescuing Batman when his life was in peril-even more than becoming Robin.

This was a hero reborn, indeed. Tim had the balance the traits between both former Robins and the mind to pull it all together. He wasn't just a robin, but a phoenix who rose out of the ashes to become the legendary sidekick to Batman. Everyone is happy to have Tim on the team, and I can see why.

Haaaave you met Tim? Tim Drake takes over the mantle of Robin in this story from the early nineties. I never read it originally and I think its done pretty well. The Batman portion of the book is a little more grounded and captivating than the intro into Robin's solo book. The villains and perils in that are kind of laughable. The art holds up pretty well and is totally reminiscent of the era. Overall, a decent introduction that lacked a little back story but holds up over time pretty well.

This tale gives us a reason to care about & respect Tim Drake as the new Robin, watching him develop his crime-fighting skills on the road.

I bought this series when it was first released and time has been good to the story, it does not seem dated at all. It is a classic coming of age story that really portrays Tim as a humble & able detective who is out to learn the fighting skills necessary to make it as Batman's partner.

The villainous King Snake is the perfect mix of evil mastermind/crime boss and physically intimidating foe, never coming off as "evil from birth", he actually has his own jilted moral code.

Overall a great read, the only down side is that it is collected in the old newsprint format. Hopefully someday it will get the slick page paperback or hardcover release it deserves.

In a time where comics sink to new lows in terms of story & artwork is the "only" thing that matters.... this book is an exception.

A solid story & worthy art in a cute (cheap) little package.

Worth picking up.

wow this is the best comic I have ever read this is an awesome Comic I read it like 3 times I loved it. It was so detailed I coulnt stop reaing it I finished this book in 1 day it was so awesome it was 2am until i finished it and I started reading it at 12 am.