Tim Drake: Robin #9 is published by DC Comics and written by Meghan Fitzmartin. Artwork is by Nikola Čižmešija, colours by Lee Loughridge and letters by Josh Reed. Main cover art (left) is by Nikola Čižmešija.
Tim Drake: Robin #9 is available from today in stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold.
Synopsis
Batwoman’s got blood on her hands as a familiar enemy rears their head and creates a rift between her and Robin. Do we really know what we’re capable of?
Review
The end is truly nigh. This is the penultimate issue of Tim Drake: Robin and I’m already mourning the fact there’s only one issue remaining. Whilst I’m unhappy to see the book come to an end, I’m glad to see that Fiztmartin is going out on her own terms with a storyline that’s challenging who Tim Drake is after 9 months of solid development.
This month we pick up right where we left off, with Batwoman accused of killing a child and no memory of the incident. Right away it’s clear that Batwoman isn’t about to become the focus though. Fitzmartin presents the entire story from Tim’s perspective – as it should be – and explores the impact all of these events have on him rather than solely focussing on the actual events at play. That would be a story for Detective Comics and this is very much Tim Drake’s story, right until the bitter end.
The whole book plays out in this way. We watch as Tim tries to help Kate and how that leads both of them to Bernard. In fact things get pretty dire all round. But that resolve to keep the focus really makes Tim Drake: Robin feel unique in its approach to storytelling.
There’s been a plot point the series has avoided for some time now. Something I had anticipated would happen that hasn’t. I’ve been proud that Fitzmartin has really ensured that big moments, such as revealing Tim’s identity to Bernard, have been earned throughout the series. That identity reveal is really the only big one left and I felt it might have happened this month. Now I can foresee a future where the book ends with a big reveal. Most importantly though… I feel it’s been earned!
Meanwhile, Čižmešija is really having fun with this issue. It’s wonderful when the art and story work together as well as they do here. Seeing Tim’s detective skills put to use always a pleasure and it makes for some brilliant visuals this month.
Verdict
The penultimate issue of Tim Drake: Robin is packed with suspense and conflict. With Tim torn between Bernard and Batwoman, Meghan Fitzmartin is ensuring that the book goes out the way it came in, focussed on its titular hero and his mission to balance a real life with his crime fighting. I’m not ready for it to end, but I’m ready to see what comes next.
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