Red Robin

If I Rebooted the DCU (Part Two)

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With DC Comics reboot of their entire universe with 52 new first issues looming ever closer I continue to take a look at what I would do if I rebooted the DCU.

Where I could I kept ideas DC wanted to explore in the relaunch (when not incredibly stupid like Voodoo), and even included titles I’m personally not all that high on but characters I know have a devoted fan base. You’ll find I’ve also kept far more of the current titles than DC’s proposed reboot, and brought back a few personal favorites as well.

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Red Robin #26

/ / Comics

red-robin-26-coverIt’s all lead up until this moment where Tim Drake decides what kind of a hero, and what kind of a man, he wants to be. He’s taken on Ra’s al Ghul and the League of Assassins, an evil Internet, Catman, and even had time for a little romance, but nothing has prepared him for what happens next. Red Robin comes face-to-face with Captain Boomerang, the man who murdered his father.

In a logical manner Tim has left breadcrumbs for Captain Boomerang to follow, with each selfish decision further closing the noose around his neck and putting him in harm’s way. Red Robin actually carefully orchestrated Boomerang’s death at the hands of Mr. Freeze, only to have second thoughts at the last minute, deciding he needs to do the job himself.

In the end Red Robin can neither allow Mr. Freeze or himself to kill Captain Boomerang. He skates a thin line but still comes out the hero. The issue ends with short conversations with Dick Grayson and Batman receptively, which showcase how closely each was watching Tim’s methods.

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Red Robin #25

/ / Comics

Red Robin #25There’s much to recommend in the second-to-last issue of Red Robin. We get an appearance by Cassandra Cain (the former Batgirl who has been absent from the DCU since Stephanie Brown took over the role) who helps stop the latest group of assassins from killing our hero, and attempts to “kill” him herself.

Aside from surviving the attack by the sister of Ra’s al Ghul and uncovering a mystery opponent behind all of the attacks on his life, Red Robin must also deal with the fallout of his lies to Tam Fox about her father, help out Cain take on a ten year-old martial arts genuis who wipes Hong Kong with both of them (I want more of this story).

The real shocker comes in issue’s final panels where we see Red Robin’s impressive new base of operations as well as learn that our hero has “assassinated Captain Boomerang.” Like most of DC’s current Bat-titles I’m sorry to see this one going away, but it looks like the final issue will be a doozy. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Red Robin #23

/ / Comics

red-robin-23-coverA new mystery unfolds for Red Robin as attempts are made on the lives of both Bruce Wayne and Lucius Fox (who is “killed”), as well as several other prominent figures including Dr. Light.

His search leads him to ask help from both Batman and Jim Gordon as well as spening a little kissy-face time in mid-air with Lynx. The assassin appears to be wearing the armor of Scarab, an assassin Red Robin knows all too well. Getting him released from prison so she could lead him to her secret cabal seemed like a good idea… but if the last panel is any indication it’s going to cause far more trouble than he could have imagined.

It’s nice to see another appearance by Lynx. I’d actually like more of her but Red Robin’s life is chaotic enough just fitting her in for a couple of panels (like this one). The storyline begun here should give us quite a few action-packed issues as the league of Scarab (Scarab League?) sets their sights squarely on a single hero. Sadly, Tim loses a couple of cool points for only seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark three times? Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Red Robin #20

/ / Comics

red-robin-20-coverEnter the Catman. The first issue of a two-part crossover with Teen Titans begins here as Red Robin battles with Catman who has been hired by the Calculator to keep the hero out of the ubernet. His solution is simple, and deadly – he puts Tam Fox in danger.

I’ve got to say any comic can be helped by a little Catman, and the fight between the two is pretty good. I’m also glad to see how seriously Drake takes a threat like Thomas Blake. You’ve come a long way, baby (thank you Gail Simone!).

That said, the best part of this issue is the second-half where Red Robin reconnects with the Teen Titans (and Damian). The Empire Strike Back reunion scene is pretty good, as is the chemistry between Drake and his former teammates is enjoyable as well as telling on how much Drake has grown into his own character. Now if they can just survive the daunting task of taking out Calculator’s base of operation protected by an army of robots made in his own image. (I wonder if he calls them Doombots?) Definitely worth a look.

[DC $2.99]

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