Rating: ***

When it was announced that there would be a new Batman and Robin, a guessing game began.  When a teaser image was released, we all made the assumption that the new Batman would be Dick Grayson and that the new Robin would be Damian Wayne.  DC tried to keep the guessing game going, but in the end, we were all right.  When the announcement came that a “Red Robin” title would be launched, with a new person behind the mask we made the assumption it was Tim Drake aka Tim Wayne.  Well, guess what, we were right again!

I’ve revealed that in my opening paragraph because I don’t feel its worth it to continue teasing that information or say beware of spoilers.  We knew it was coming and now Tim is Red Robin with the quest to find his presumed dead mentor: Bruce Wayne. 

This was a good issue, but not a great start to the series.  I think the reason why I’m interested in collecting this book is because of the character of Tim Wayne.  Tim has developed into arguable the best character DC has created in over the past twenty years.  He’s developed from this young, intelligent, and innocent boy who discovered the identity of Batman, to this man who seems to be not only capable of taking over for Batman, but he could be an even be a better Batman than Bruce could ever be.

In this first issue we find out why Tim is no longer Robin.  That was one of the mysteries with the switch in Robins.  The reason why Damian is now Robin and Tim is out is because Dick believes Tim is too good to be a sidekick anymore.  He looks at Tim’s skills as a crime fighters and views him as an equal.  He also believes that if not guided properly, Damian’s behavior could lead him to going down the wrong path.  Damian needs his help.  Tim feels betrayed and angry.  He’s loss his parents, Bruce, and now his job.  He takes out his anger and punches the hell out of Damian.  The best moment in this book.

Tim is angry and I’m wondering if all of these hardships will make him more of a dark character.  I think we saw some of that in the last few issues of the “Robin” series.  There isn’t much of a story in this issue as it’s more of a set up for the whole series as Tim believes for whatever reason that Bruce is alive.  It appears that Tim will travel the world in search of Bruce and the issue ends with a group of assassins gunning for him from a rooftop.  Who has hired these assassins?  It’s Ras al Ghul who escaped from Arkham Asylum in “Nightwing” #145.  I thought he was still there until I did a Wikipedia search.

The big negative for this book is the artwork.  I think it’s horrible.  I wouldn’t mind seeing Mark Bagley on “Red Robin”.  He’s going to be doing some work for the “Batman” title with Judd Winick.  Maybe he could be the regular artist for the title after he finishes.  I will continue to collect this title, but as much as I love the character of Tim Wayne, I’m not going to continue the title if the story isn’t interesting.  Lets hope the search for Bruce Wayne is a winner.