Batman: Gotham Adventures #19

Batman: Gotham Adventures

by Bob Smith (Cover (Pencils)), Terry Beatty (Inks/Cover), Lee Loughridge (Colors/Cover)

A disillusioned Robin must face the ferocious Lion Man and the alluring Prairie Girl. But what's the mystery behind these new villains and how will they change Robin's perception of crime fighting?

Genres: Comics, Comic Book, Batman

36 pages, Comic Book

First published December 1, 1999

Reviews

[cauldronofevil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny cover!

"A Little Thing" begins with Robin beating up a pirate-like thug with a machine-gun in a ball-pit in a fast food restaurant while Batgirl and Nightwing watch in horror.

"I think you got him, partner."

Nightwing gently chastises Robin for rushing in without a plan. Robin says the job is just getting to him. He longs for the good old days he’s heard about.

"I’d trade just one of these psychos with a gun fixation for a dozen costumed villains any day. "

Later Nightwing calls Robin and tells him there is a disturbance in the Diniville projects. It’s Prairie Girl with a scythe telling people it’s time they ‘Reap what they Sow’!

Nightwing attacks her and asks Robin to join in, but he knows its’ Batgirl and laughs it off.

They get a call from Batman asking for backup but by the time they get there he’s got it all wrapped up. Batman tells Robin to check on hostages and clear the rest of the house. They try to explain to Batman while Batgirl is dressed like she is.

"Well, he’s been feeling like all we do is fight killers and psychos. "

Batman advises her to change the way she moves next time.

Batgirl and Robin go off on patrol while Nightwing takes Prairie Girl’s costume back.

They see someone about to rob Gotham Federal Bank, dressed in a lion costume.

Once again, Robin knows it’s Nightwing.

"Were you going to hook up with Scarecrow and Metallo for a Wizard of Oz reunion?"

Robin appreciates what they’re doing but just feels like they only tackle immediate stuff and never get to accomplish anything permanent.

Just then they get a police scanner call about a break-in and rush to it.

The find a costumed crook breaking into an auto parts store. The three of them take him out easily but then realize he has a 17 person gang! This take more effort. \

"That was invigorating."

Robin says he’s calling it a night. On his way home he sees a guy dressed in a flower costume. Must be Nightwing again. But he turns around and it’s not.

"I’m Robin. Want to tell me why you’re dressed up like that? "

Chlorophil explains that he specializes in robbing nurseries. Nightwing and Batgirl shows up as Robin runs his ID through the bat computer. Robin convinces Phil to go straight.

At the bat cave they see that Robin’s spirits have been improved.

I’d read this story before in Batman Adventures Robin the Boy Wonder, but I wasn’t doing my cross-referencing origional stories thing yet (and by the way this is why I’m doing it!).

But this was a cute story, so I didn’t mind reading it again. I’ll give it 5 stars as essential (and I gave it 5 stars before!).

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another issue from the Batman: Gotham Adventures series. It’s a short story to read and I like the graphics and drawing of the characters reflect the Batman Animated Series.
In this issue the story is called “A Little Thing.” The new Robin is bored with fighting ordinary criminals. It turns out other heroes in the Batman family goes undercover in disguises to mimic new villains but each time Robin sees through it. There’s a twist of an ending I won’t give away. Fun read and my kids and I enjoyed it.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Oz reference was funny.