When darkness falls over Gotham City, Tim Drake becomes his alter ego, the costumed crime-fighter known as Robin. Usually he patrols the night with his partner, Batman, but with Bruce Wayne recovering from the broken back he received from the criminal known only as Bane, Tim is forced to team up with the new Batman, Jean-Paul Valley!
Unfortunately for Robin, Batman’s replacement doesn’t need or want a teenage sidekick. So now the Boy Wonder is left to fly solo!
Plus, Tim Drake still has to manage being an average teenager with an average glut of adolescent headaches. He can’t drive, his girlfriend feels he’s neglecting her and the school jock picks on him. Meanwhile, Robin must contend with a car-theft ring, a hardnosed sheriff and a trio of escaped super-villains, including the treacherous Cluemaster.
ROBIN: SOLO collects, in chronological order, for the first time ever, ROBIN #1-5, ROBIN ANNUAL #1-2 and SHOWCASE ’93 #5-6 and #11-12, presenting Tim Drake’s adventures from his first solo series by fan-favorite comics writer Chuck Dixon (NIGHTWING) and the all-new art team of Tom Grummett (TITANS) and Scott Hanna (DETECTIVE COMICS)!
Charles "Chuck" Dixon is an American comic book writer, perhaps best-known for long runs on Batman titles in the 1990s.
His earliest comics work was writing Evangeline first for Comico Comics in 1984 (then later for First Comics, who published the on-going series), on which he worked with his then-wife, the artist Judith Hunt. His big break came one year later, when editor Larry Hama hired him to write back-up stories for Marvel Comics' The Savage Sword of Conan.
In 1986, he began working for Eclipse Comics, writing Airboy with artist Tim Truman. Continuing to write for both Marvel and (mainly) Eclipse on these titles, as well as launching Strike! with artist Tom Lyle in August 1987 and Valkyrie with artist Paul Gulacy in October 1987, he began work on Carl Potts' Alien Legion series for Marvel's Epic Comics imprint, under editor Archie Goodwin. He also produced a three-issue adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit for Eclipse with artist David Wenzel between 1989 and 1990, and began writing Marc Spector: Moon Knight in June 1989.
His Punisher OGN Kingdom Gone (August, 1990) led to him working on the monthly The Punisher War Journal (and later, more monthly and occasional Punisher titles), and also brought him to the attention of DC Comics editor Denny O'Neil, who asked him to produce a Robin mini-series. The mini proved popular enough to spawn two sequels - The Joker's Wild (1991) and Cry of the Huntress (1992) - which led to both an ongoing monthly series (which Dixon wrote for 100 issues before leaving to work with CrossGen Comics), and to Dixon working on Detective Comics from #644-738 through the major Batman stories KnightFall & KnightsEnd (for which he helped create the key character of Bane), DC One Million , Contagion , Legacy , Cataclysm and No Man's Land . Much of his run was illustrated by Graham Nolan.
He was DC's most prolific Batman-writer in the mid-1990s (rivalled perhaps in history by Bill Finger and Dennis O'Neil) - in addition to writing Detective Comics he pioneered the individual series for Robin , Nightwing (which he wrote for 70 issues, and returned to briefly with 2005's #101) and Batgirl , as well as creating the team and book Birds of Prey .
While writing multiple Punisher and Batman comics (and October 1994's Punisher/Batman crossover), he also found time to launch Team 7 for Jim Lee's WildStorm/Image and Prophet for Rob Liefeld's Extreme Studios. He also wrote many issues of Catwoman and Green Arrow , regularly having about seven titles out each and every month between the years 1993 and 1998.
In March, 2002, Dixon turned his attention to CrossGen's output, salthough he co-wrote with Scott Beatty the origin of Barbara Gordon's Batgirl in 2003's Batgirl: Year One. For CrossGen he took over some of the comics of the out-going Mark Waid, taking over Sigil from #21, and Crux with #13. He launched Way of the Rat in June 2002, Brath (March '03), The Silken Ghost (June '03) and the pirate comic El Cazador (Oct '03), as well as editing Robert Rodi's non-Sigilverse The Crossovers. He also wrote the Ruse spin-off Archard's Agents one-shots in January and November '03 and April '04, the last released shortly before CrossGen's complete collapse forced the cancellation of all of its comics, before which Dixon wrote a single issue of Sojourn (May '04). Dixon's Way of the Rat #24, Brath #14 and El Cazador #6 were among the last comics released from the then-bankrupt publisher.
On June 10, 2008, Dixon announced on his forum that he was no longer "employed by DC Comics in any capacity."
This is a nice little set of stories. Robin takes flight in the Eclipso event fighting Anarchy. Then he teams up with Nightwing to take on some drug dealers as part of the Showcase miniseries. Next, he gets his turn in Bloodlines in a surprisingly decent crossover (Most of these were pretty crummy.) Robin really shines in his solo series. Grummett's art is fantastic. The stories are a lot of fun with Robin taking on some car thieves and the Cluemaster while Spoiler joins the cast. I'm really looking forward to digging into Tim Drake's solo series in the next volume.
More tasty '90's cheesewhiz with Tim Drake... I love this era. Tim takes on some dorky villians like Anarky and Cluemaster... but how Dixon develops Tim's relationships with Nightwing and Spoiler is the real magic of this book.
Robin Vol. 3: Solo collects Robin Annual #1-2, Showcase '93 #5-6, 11-12 and Robin #1-5.
This collected trade is a bit all over the place timewise and a lack of awareness of the whole Knightfall saga will more than likely have potential readers confused. I mean Batman literally becomes a different person between two of the issues. That said, Robin's solo run definitely hides in the shadow of the Knightfall event and I imagine most people reading this run will be doing so as a result of the event.
The trade opens with Annual #1 which is a longer issue involving Anarky and takes place before Knightfall: Broken Bat. Additionally, Showcase '93 #5-6 also both take place before Broken Bat and offer a solo adventure for Robin while Batman is away on Justice League business.
Showcase '93 #11-12 somewhat carry on from the two prior Showcase issues but most importantly take place after Broken Bat meaning Batman is now Jean Paul Valley with Bruce in recovery but also out of Gotham. These issues are cool and the interaction between Tim Drake and Nightwing is always an interesting read.
Robin Annual #2 also takes place in a similar timeframe as the previous two: Jean Paul is the Bat and Bruce is out of Gotham looking for Tim Drakes dad. Interesting side issue that sets up the Psyba-Rats for future issues and I believe falls in the 1993 bloodlines arc involving other DC characters.
Did I mention that the timeline of this book is whack?
Then, FINALLY, we get to Robin #1-5, the beginning of Tim Drakes proper run that will carry on for #50 issues. These five issues are fun and contain the re-appearance of Spoiler (Stephanie Brown-- watch this space!) who becomes a bigger character during Knightquest. I'd recommend a quick read of Detective Comics #647-649 because they detail the first appearance of Stephanie Brown.
Timeline mess aside, the book was fun and Tim Drake is always a good read with his strong detective abilities and lack-of-social skills while tries to balance his two identities.
First few issues are on DC Spotlight, which I assume were giving issues to side characters or C-Level heroes. This let Robin build up his character more while teaming up with Dick, which helped increase my likeness for Tim. Then we finally eventually get to his solo series written by Dixon. It's solid enough and fun but it feels little fluffy as does Dixon stuff sometimes. Art is solid throughout but sadly nothing remarkable.
Issues 1-5 of the monthly are great tales well told, the annuals are really really stupid with far too fantastical storylines that are suited for a different character not a grounded Batman family story.
This is a rather uneven volume, and is a collection of a number of single issues that don't actually make up a continuous narrative. It starts with an Alan Grant story that's more about Anarky than about Robin and is rather predictable, but not terrible. This is followed by two stories from Doug "objectively the worst Batman writer of the modern era" Moench, which are, predictably, total drek and unreadable. Robin Annul from 1993 is collected, and is part of the weird Bloodlines Earthplague storyline, and, uh, is weird and can be skipped (although it is a somewhat satisfying self-contained horror sci-fi story). The volume ends with the first four issues of Dixon's Robin series, two of which are from the Knightfall storyline. These issues set up the Robin series as, in some ways, a series where Robin and Spoiler are co-leads. There's a fun dynamic with Spoiler, and it's neat watching Tim trying to navigate being a teenager in high school while also being a masked crimefighter. These four issues are fun, but don't really make up for the rest of the volume, which is not great.
Chuck Dixon takes a small break from writing Robin and it really shows in this volume. When he returns for the last two issues the plot is noticeably more detailed and the characters more emotive. Still fun though!
I took a SLIGHT break from reading Batman Knightfall to read one of the side Batbooks at the time was my favorite and for a long time the only one I read regularly. And y'know what? Most of these stories hold up. They are loads of fun.
Robin: Solo picks up where the previous volume left off, collecting Robin #1–5, Robin Annual #1–2, and Showcase '93 #5–6, 11–12. The trade paperback covers mainly one-issue stories, where the five in the core series are somewhat interconnected.
The first five issues of the core series are interconnected one-issue stories that have Tim Drake as Robin being forced out of being the partner of Batman (Jean-Paul Valley), while Bruce Wayne is still recovering of having his back broken by Bane. It has Tim Drake on his own and teaming up with the Spoiler.
The two annuals are a part of crossovers – particular that of Eclipso and Bloodlines. As such, they do not fit in with the core series all that well and a greater appreciation for these rare issues would happen if one knew the crossover stories well, which I had to research further.
The Showcase issue has a main character teaming up with other – usually odd and unexpected partnership. The first two (Showcase '93 #5–6) centers on Tim Drake as Robin and the last two (Showcase '93 #11–12) is centered on Dick Grayson as Nightwing, but Tim Drake sticks around and helps out, which is probably the reason it was included in this trade paperback.
Chuck Dixon (Robin #1–5, and Robin Annual #2), Doug Moench (Showcase '93 #5–6, 11–12), and Alan Grant with John Wagner (Robin Annual #1) penned the trade paperback. For the most part, I rather liked the storyline of the core series, it has Tim Drake striking out on his own, and being pushed out by the new Batman. The other stories are medically done, but still rather good.
Tom Grummett (Robin #1–5), Kieron Dwyer (Robin Annual #2, Showcase '93 #5–6), Bob McLeod (Showcase '93 #11–12), and Tom Lyle (Robin Annual #1) penciled the trade paperback. For the most part, their penciling style complements each other rather well, yet still distinct, which makes the flow of the trade paperback somewhat smooth – artistically speaking.
All in all, Robin: Solo is a wonderful continuation to what would hopefully be an equally wonderful series.
This is the third volume collecting the adventures of the new Robin Tim Drake from the 1990's. I never read these at the time, too many others I was ready at the time and it never really caught my attention enough to rise into the list of comics I was reading.
Modern superhero comics aren't to my taste now, but then they are not really aimed at me, so I've been getting my fix by reading things I didn't read or couldn't afford to read at the time. Nightwing and Robin are two of these series I have been reading and enjoying and this volume is no different. A couple of Annuals, both parts of multi part stories but also working just as well as stand alone adventures just as easily, a reasonable story from the Showcase comic guest starring Nightwing and also the first 5 issues of his own series fill this collection. The Annuals and the showcase stories are ok, they are not bad but neither are they that good. Just run of the mill action tales. The first five issues of his own comic though are a different matter. These are really good, Chuck Dixon has a good handle on the Robin character and writes a good yarn. I am looking forward to the next volume and seeing where he takes Drake.
It was fine. I really like the addition of Spoiler, I think Stephanie's great. I think it was really random for Tim to kiss her towards the end, especially since he's still dating Ariana (is he though?) I really liked how Tim said he was supposed to be taught pressure points and meditation but because he went under Lady Shiva's training he instead learned the art of battle. I think it really speaks to the way he fights and the thought process behind his decisions. His mental battle whether or not to kill Cluemaster was great (and funny). Honestly? If he decided to go full anti-hero I wouldn't be opposed. He definitely has it in him.
I liked the first annual, but I wish Anarky wasn't caught. Sue me. I like his ideas. I want to see more of him! I think it's really interesting that they're both fourteen (is Tim fourteen? The age thing confuses me...) and he's a great foil for Tim... (what if they kissed?? what if they were boyfriends?? weirder comic pairings have happened)
I skipped the second annual because I want to get on with the actual story. Maybe I'll go back to it when it's time for the fifth annual.
I don't have access to Showcase '93 unfortunately.
Overall, I wasn't blown away. But it had consistent writing and intriguing characters and villains.
Another highly enjoyable collection. It’s a mishmash of stories, none of them bad, mainly because Tim is so likable as Robin. First we have Tim fighting Anarky as part of the Eclipso event. Then he teams up with Nightwing to stop a drug operation; I love Dick and Tim’s relationship, and it really shines here. The Bloodlines crossover is shockingly decent, though dated in the technology it references. The first five issues of Robin’s (fourth) solo series take place during Knightfall when Azrael is Batman. Jean-Paul kicks Robin out of the batcave, so Tim sets out on his own fighting crime. I love the Spider-Man vibe to these stories. Tim doesn’t quite have the Parker luck, but he’s a young kid juggling family, friends, and trying to keep his identity secret. Chuck Dixon writes Tim so well. The story here sees Robin team up with Spoiler to stop her dad, Cluemaster, and his cronies. Fun stuff.
Chuck Dixon continues his solid run on ROBIN. In this volume, Robin deals with the Eclipso and Bloodlines crossovers (two annuals that are hard to find), a Showcase team-up with Nightwing, and the first five issues of his solo series, which pit him against AzBats, The Cluemaster, and Spoiler. The chapters by Dixon are the strongest in this trade, with sharp artwork by Tom Grummett. The rest of the volume is no slouch, and it's a fine continuation of the Robin series. (Sidebar: I wish this volume included the three Dixon issues of Detective Comics that introduced Spoiler in advance of her appearance here. Back issue bin, here I come!)
This one gets a bit bogged down by the general happenings in Batman comics at the time. You just gotta have to go with it.
The showcases story was kinda boring and a bit of a mess, but it was nice ot see Nightwing there. The annuals were probably my favorites. Just the right amount of goofy and fun. It's also nice to finally get into the main 1993 series in earnest. The first 5 issues feathured in here were a pretty fun read.