Three months ago, about Robin #123, I wrote, "Three issues into a new creative team's stint on this title, and they've lost me." Well, with a new artist and a fantastic new premise, they've found me and hooked me again. Willingham breathes new life into this series by treating by exploring the title character not as a person, but as a job. Someone new is filling the position, and this time-elapsed introduction works incredibly well. Not only is the core idea enough to get me excited about the book again, but the artwork adds a great deal of energy and polish as well, something that's been lacking in the title the past few months. Damion (Batgirl) Scott is offering up the best work of his career thus far here.
Tim Drake adjusts to life as a regular teenager, having promised his father to leave behind his life as a super-hero after being discovered. Life is returning to normal for Tim's girlfriend, Stephanie, as well, as her cast has come off and she's able to return to the rooftops of Gotham as the independent young heroine known as the Spoiler. A rift arises in their relationship, though, forcing the Spoiler to turn to an unlikely source of solace and guidance, the man who rejected her and forbade her to play in his crimefighting turf: the Batman.
The influence of Japanese manga on Scott's work shines through clearly in the non-super-hero moments of this story. There's a softness and energy in the teen characters that brings out their youth nicely. The tweaked costume design for the new Robin is sharp, and I love how it compares to the far less functional outfit that the character fashions for herself earlier in the issue. Scott also does an incredible job conveying the petite yet indimidating and lethal nature of the new villain, Scarab. Guy Major's colors are brilliant, and they bring a celebratory tone to this milestone story while never sacrificing the darker atmosphere that goes along with a tale set in the world of the Dark Knight.
I'm a bit surprised DC hasn't been pushing this comic book more, not just within the industry and core readerhsip, but in the mainstream media as well. This hasn't nothing to do with the quality of this book, but this very nature of this story and the iconic resonance of the Robin name present an opportunity to attract attention.
This story could haev unfolded in a thoroughly gradual manner, but Willingham and his editor seem to have opted for a much more accelerated pace. It's one that I appreciate. The creators cut to the chase, but the way in which they do maintains a plausibility in the plot developments. The Batman's reasons for his change of heart regarding Stephanie actually make a bit of sense. Furthermore, it's easy to see a change in her character by the end of the issue.
Given the appearance of the character on the cover, regular readers will not be surprised as to the identity of the new Robin. Willingham doesn't even try to foster an air of mystery. Despite the galloping pace of the story, it feels as though the writer addresses all of the important plot points. Alfred's comments ring incredibly true, as do Stephanie's unfortunate reasons for approaching the Batman. Will this prove to be a lasting change? I'm doubtful. Tim Drake is a strong character, one I can't see DC casting aside so quickly. Furthermore, Robin is identified in the mass consciousness as a "boy wonder," and I expect in the long run he'll remain that way.
