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Robin (2021)
Robin, Vol. 3: Secrets and Shadows
Robin and Ravager have caught up with Deathstroke and Respawn! Can they convince Deathstroke to turn himself in...or fight to the death?
And what startling revelation does Robin learn that shocks this story to its core? Plus, Batman goes deep into the conspiracy behind Ra's al Ghul's death and discovers it's bigger than he thought. He must call in backup...just not the backup you'd expect!
And what startling revelation does Robin learn that shocks this story to its core? Plus, Batman goes deep into the conspiracy behind Ra's al Ghul's death and discovers it's bigger than he thought. He must call in backup...just not the backup you'd expect!
208 pages, Paperback
First published March 21, 2023
40 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 14, 2025
Despite my prejudice against Damian Wayne, I really enjoyed this book. Lots of fights and good artwork, and it moves the story along by dealing with the fallout of the Shadow War, there is a prelude story in the latest Batman/Superman books, and sets up Batman Vs. Robin.
The Shadow War is over, but the scars and trauma remain. Now, the survivors will need to find their own paths. Damian has an idea but no idea where it will lead.
Good artwork and the story dealing with the fallout of the Shadow War was good, but the rest of the story was a bit rushed. It is more of a setup for what is to come next. The book finishes this with a variant cover gallery, two of the best variant covers I have seen in a long time.
The Shadow War is over, but the scars and trauma remain. Now, the survivors will need to find their own paths. Damian has an idea but no idea where it will lead.
Good artwork and the story dealing with the fallout of the Shadow War was good, but the rest of the story was a bit rushed. It is more of a setup for what is to come next. The book finishes this with a variant cover gallery, two of the best variant covers I have seen in a long time.
October 30, 2022
I really wish this series would've gone on longer. I would've been so down for book following Damien and his new friends
October 9, 2023
Pretty good end to this series and a nice springboard into Batman vs Robin. I like that Damian is still looking to find his place in the world and decide who he is. I wish his friendship with Jon was still prominent, though, as Damian needs someone to bounce his thoughts off of. I was hoping to see Connor Hawke take on that role but he leaves to costar in the new Green Arrow series.
Definitely looking forward to seeing what Talia is going to do next and if Ra's is actually dead or not.
Definitely looking forward to seeing what Talia is going to do next and if Ra's is actually dead or not.
September 21, 2025
This book felt a lot more rushed. Some plots were literally mentioned once and then closed or cut off in the next panel or page. Considering the whole arc, the book is one of the worst ones.
December 14, 2024
The four stars are for the last two issues of the series, which capture again the fun of the first trade and set up stuff for the future. The rest of the trade is not worth it since it's crossover dependent. But I loved the tone of the series, it was super fun.
August 2, 2023
Secrets and Shadows gets off to a bad start with two seemingly random issues from the Shadow War event. I read them over in that volume where they actually make sense, so why include them here?
Probably because the last handful of issues are somewhat underwhelming. Robin returns to Lazarus Island to spruce the place up, only to discover Lord Death Man has arrived on the island claiming that Flatline has gone nuts. Robin runs off to find out of this is true, which it obviously isn't, then returns to the island to fight Lord Death Man. ()
Kind of a quiet end for this Robin series that was, for the most part, quite good!
Probably because the last handful of issues are somewhat underwhelming. Robin returns to Lazarus Island to spruce the place up, only to discover Lord Death Man has arrived on the island claiming that Flatline has gone nuts. Robin runs off to find out of this is true, which it obviously isn't, then returns to the island to fight Lord Death Man. ()
Kind of a quiet end for this Robin series that was, for the most part, quite good!
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June 18, 2024i get that comics are all interconnected but why is there a reference on every other page to an something that happened in another comic that i can’t understand unless i’ve read it because it’s so specific like is this or is this not a ROBIN compilation
as a whole series i enjoyed it decently but haven’t we done this whole character arc before like we really don’t got something else
the art is beautiful, i love how damian is drawn, i think flatline’s design is super cute. a lot of the variant covers and other full paged art (the issue dividers??) are so cute. i am not convinced with damian and nika’s romantic relationship at all idrgaf about that
i thought the intertextual manga was cute
as a whole series i enjoyed it decently but haven’t we done this whole character arc before like we really don’t got something else
the art is beautiful, i love how damian is drawn, i think flatline’s design is super cute. a lot of the variant covers and other full paged art (the issue dividers??) are so cute. i am not convinced with damian and nika’s romantic relationship at all idrgaf about that
i thought the intertextual manga was cute
May 4, 2023
Robin is a very good book, but I think that is attributed to just how strong Damian is as a character. He really has distinguished himself away from the rest of the Bat-Family, and his solo book is as strong as when he is a part of the Teen Titans.
Highlights:
- The first two issues are included in the Shadow War story I read previously.
- In the aftermath, Talia "escapes" custody, but in fact was turned into an undercover agent, working for the D.E.O., to ensure Damian's safety.
- As Robin heads back to Lazarus Island (where he fought in the tournament, see last two Volumes), he tries to set up a paradise for misfits like himself. Lord Death Man shows up, claiming Flatline has turned into a monster and tried to kill him. Robin takes the bait and goes searching for her.
- Turns out, that was a con game planned by Lord Death Man to get him reunited with Mother Soul, a previous lover of his.
- That ultimately doesn't go much of anyway just yet, so we'll have to figure out where Robin goes next. For that, we get two endbook scenes: 1) a set up for Batman vs Robin, and 2) We see Respawn returned to life watching from the forest.
Very curious to see how father and son gets started with a war....
Recommend.
Highlights:
- The first two issues are included in the Shadow War story I read previously.
- In the aftermath, Talia "escapes" custody, but in fact was turned into an undercover agent, working for the D.E.O., to ensure Damian's safety.
- As Robin heads back to Lazarus Island (where he fought in the tournament, see last two Volumes), he tries to set up a paradise for misfits like himself. Lord Death Man shows up, claiming Flatline has turned into a monster and tried to kill him. Robin takes the bait and goes searching for her.
- Turns out, that was a con game planned by Lord Death Man to get him reunited with Mother Soul, a previous lover of his.
- That ultimately doesn't go much of anyway just yet, so we'll have to figure out where Robin goes next. For that, we get two endbook scenes: 1) a set up for Batman vs Robin, and 2) We see Respawn returned to life watching from the forest.
Very curious to see how father and son gets started with a war....
Recommend.
August 27, 2022
"CONNOR: Then who are you?
DAMIAN: I'm still trying to figure that out." —Robin #17
actually 3.5 stars!
that certainly . . . was an end to a really fun series. i didn't really vibe with the deathstroke arc and honestly when the lazarus tournament was done i wasn't rly that invested but the character dynamics were solid enough i feel?? sad that williamson's leaving tho he had a rly good grasp on damian rn
DAMIAN: I'm still trying to figure that out." —Robin #17
actually 3.5 stars!
that certainly . . . was an end to a really fun series. i didn't really vibe with the deathstroke arc and honestly when the lazarus tournament was done i wasn't rly that invested but the character dynamics were solid enough i feel?? sad that williamson's leaving tho he had a rly good grasp on damian rn
July 8, 2025
For me, this book truly Flatlined...
The weakest volume by far. Much of volume 3 is bogged down by the "Shadow War" event that Williamson was also writing at the time. The overarching narrative, along with its mysteries and characters, were mainly lost in this volume. The meaningful themes of identify and family are largely overlooked as this book ties in to the larger Bat family narrative, and Deathstroke's inclusion does to add much for me.
The series sadly ends, but does not wrap up in a satisfactory way. Instead, this series become the springboard for another event. (Looking back, I'm not sure if DC has gone a season without an event since Lazarus Planet started...I'm not a fan of events or crossovers.)
Lord Death Man is a goofy character who didn't fit the story for me. (He is basically Skeletor.) I think his presence undermine's Flatline's character, especially since she is new and being established. The beach montage between Robin and Flatline kills the romantic friction that the two characters had been gaining, and her "betrayal" did the same. It's a shame her character has not continued past this series, to my knowledge.
Overall, what a let down for a really enjoyable series. One of the worst things about comics is that so many stories can't end, they have to continue for another writer or series. I'm not sure if I will read Batman v Robin or not.
The weakest volume by far. Much of volume 3 is bogged down by the "Shadow War" event that Williamson was also writing at the time. The overarching narrative, along with its mysteries and characters, were mainly lost in this volume. The meaningful themes of identify and family are largely overlooked as this book ties in to the larger Bat family narrative, and Deathstroke's inclusion does to add much for me.
The series sadly ends, but does not wrap up in a satisfactory way. Instead, this series become the springboard for another event. (Looking back, I'm not sure if DC has gone a season without an event since Lazarus Planet started...I'm not a fan of events or crossovers.)
Lord Death Man is a goofy character who didn't fit the story for me. (He is basically Skeletor.) I think his presence undermine's Flatline's character, especially since she is new and being established. The beach montage between Robin and Flatline kills the romantic friction that the two characters had been gaining, and her "betrayal" did the same. It's a shame her character has not continued past this series, to my knowledge.
Overall, what a let down for a really enjoyable series. One of the worst things about comics is that so many stories can't end, they have to continue for another writer or series. I'm not sure if I will read Batman v Robin or not.
March 20, 2023
The Lazarus Tournament may be over, but Lazarus Island isn't finished with Damian just yet!
Something like half of this volume is set-up and tie-in for other stuff, namely Shadow War and Lazarus Planet, so you're only really getting half a story in that respect. The remaining issues bring Robin and Flatline into conflict with the ridiculous Lord Death Man for a story that gives Flatline some much needed fleshing out. It's a shame the book kind of just tails off from there, with Damian heading off for bigger and better things, especially given how strong the last two volumes have been. It's not bad at all, but it feels more like a whimper than a bang.
On art for these issues is Roger Cruz, who stepped in after Gleb Melnikov departed and has honestly being doing a better job, if you ask me. His style's a little spiky, but it feels young and fresh, perfect for a book about teen superheroes like this one, while still evoking that manga style that Melnikov brought to the series when it started.
Robin's latest ongoing disappears in a puff of smoke, for better or worse.
Something like half of this volume is set-up and tie-in for other stuff, namely Shadow War and Lazarus Planet, so you're only really getting half a story in that respect. The remaining issues bring Robin and Flatline into conflict with the ridiculous Lord Death Man for a story that gives Flatline some much needed fleshing out. It's a shame the book kind of just tails off from there, with Damian heading off for bigger and better things, especially given how strong the last two volumes have been. It's not bad at all, but it feels more like a whimper than a bang.
On art for these issues is Roger Cruz, who stepped in after Gleb Melnikov departed and has honestly being doing a better job, if you ask me. His style's a little spiky, but it feels young and fresh, perfect for a book about teen superheroes like this one, while still evoking that manga style that Melnikov brought to the series when it started.
Robin's latest ongoing disappears in a puff of smoke, for better or worse.
January 6, 2026
(Estoy reseñando el arco equivalente al tomo núm. 4 de Robin en castellano).
Ha sido un tomo decepcionante, aburrido. Sin ningún tipo de transfondo o reflexión profunda, con cero acción trepidante y con cero magia o mimo. El reencuentro entre Jon y Damian me ha resultado vacío. Tenían cero química. ¿Quién lo ha escrito ha leído algún cómic de Superhijos? ¿Quería quitárselo de encima y ya? Es que no da la sensación ni de que haya disfrutado escribiéndolo. En fin. Con lo chulo que estaba el tomo 3 de Robin en castellano, este ha sido una tremenda decepción.
Ha sido un tomo decepcionante, aburrido. Sin ningún tipo de transfondo o reflexión profunda, con cero acción trepidante y con cero magia o mimo. El reencuentro entre Jon y Damian me ha resultado vacío. Tenían cero química. ¿Quién lo ha escrito ha leído algún cómic de Superhijos? ¿Quería quitárselo de encima y ya? Es que no da la sensación ni de que haya disfrutado escribiéndolo. En fin. Con lo chulo que estaba el tomo 3 de Robin en castellano, este ha sido una tremenda decepción.
April 19, 2023
The first 2 issues are part of Batman: Shadow War. I'm not a fan of crossoves such as this, but it does tie in to Damian's storyline so it is recommended to read before starting this third volume. Then starting with issue 15 it picks up directly after Shadow War. I was never a fan of Damian's Robin, but this series potrayed him as a more likable character and wouldn't have minded reading more of his solo adventures.
April 21, 2023
About half of this volume is part of Shadow War, and probably shouldn't be read separately. I could barely follow what was going on, and didn't see enough to really care. The rest feels like it's set up for Batman vs. Robin, an event I don't know if I'll follow. But I still liked how Williamson wrote Damian, and the position he left him in could be promising for other stories. Not bad, just overshadowed by being stuck between two Batman events.
May 28, 2023
My new rule is that I’m not giving good grades to books with half the story cut out. The first part of this book is part of Shadow War and it’s missing at least half of the story. It’s nonsensical.
I’m ok with a book having one part of a crossover, like an issue. But when it’s half the story and you don’t include the other half? Sorry. I wouldn’t want to read a novel that’s missing half the pages, so a TPB that’s missing half the story is also not a good read.
I’m ok with a book having one part of a crossover, like an issue. But when it’s half the story and you don’t include the other half? Sorry. I wouldn’t want to read a novel that’s missing half the pages, so a TPB that’s missing half the story is also not a good read.
August 23, 2025
What a perfect way to close this series, it only makes me want more. Damian is still searching for his purpose, carrying the lessons from both sides of his family but also beginning to build his own spaces, places where others can find refuge. And in that search, he’s also finding something just as important: friends. He can take a day off. He can breathe, relax, and live beyond training and the constant pressure to succeed. I’ll definitely be following his story, wherever it goes next.
September 13, 2024
mostly good but definitely some weird storyline confusion around what happened that i think left me too confused for a final book in the series, like what happened to deathstroke (did he die, how died already, did he really just died idk) and also like how did mother soul escape.
i guess if im not caught up on the new52 maybe that's why im confused?
i guess if im not caught up on the new52 maybe that's why im confused?
February 20, 2025
Ahh classic. It wouldn't be a proper superhero run if an event didn't happen that totally confuses the reading order and plot, and then it ends unfulfilled because of editorial shenanigans (derogatory)
January 12, 2026
this volume was good but not as much as the others, mostly because there were too many references of other comics which i wasn't aware, totally my fault tho
the cliffhanger? i need to read batman vs robin
the cliffhanger? i need to read batman vs robin
May 25, 2023
Still fun some cross over stuff from other series in this one so a little confusing
July 10, 2023
Crossovers made it almost unreadable at the beginning.
August 22, 2023
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
November 7, 2023
It was a fun series this volume was just eh for me
December 28, 2023
after the event tie-in there just wasnt much going on i think just not enough issues post shadow war to really do much with
February 26, 2024
Not as good as the first two, but not bad at all! The aftermath of the Lazarus Tournament and Shadow War and I liked it!
March 24, 2024
Carino, anche se la trama resta aperta e continuerà su batman vs robin. Gli speciali alcuni carini, altri meno
December 16, 2024
Unfortunately Damien is getting less interesting instead of more interesting.
March 23, 2025
Not a very good finish to the "acclaimed" run by Williamson (acclaimed by who, I don't know)...
April 8, 2025
pretty weak ending but a fun ride overall
I'll miss flatline......
I'll miss flatline......
June 14, 2025
Erm…I’m SO confused. What. What happened to the silly little death tournament and silly little homicide ppl?
Also I hated the art style.
Also I hated the art style.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews