Robin III Part 15: Batman #450 (Early July, 1990)

Tim visits Tokyo…courtesy of Bruce Wayne.

I have this issue.

A boarding school class arrives in Tokyo for a week-long trip, and Tim confirms with his teacher that Bruce Wayne paid for the excursion.

Notes of Interest:

1) No character development here…unless you count the opportunity for Tim to brush up on his Japanese.

WTF? Moment: Tim’s presence is trimmed back even more than it was in Detective Comics #616 - all of two panels here – but it’s understood that Bruce is keeping him as far away from Joker as possible. My only gripe is that Bruce doesn’t let Tim know what’s going on! Tim isn’t dumb enough to think he’s ready to fight Joker…  Jason  …but considering how he was written back in Batman: Bride of the Demon, better safe than sorry.

So...about Firefly...

I've heard some great news, and some sucky news recently:

It seems that for the 10th anniversary of Firefly there will be a full cast reunion panel at SDCC this July.



However...

I can't afford to go!


This saddens me to no end.

The only up-side is that someone...somewhere...will record it and post it on YouTube.

But if Christina Hendricks is there I'll just cry.

And the winner is...GotG?

This is strictly in the "Rumor" file for the time being, but it seems Marvel Studios has finally gotten off the pot about the final non-sequel before Avengers 2...

                                                          

Now I gotta deal with it.

I've said before that having a movie set in an alternate future would have a snowball's chance of working, but...

In Marvel Studios I Trust

Robin III Part 14: Detective Comics #616 (Late June, 1990)

Tim’s left in the dark on this case, only this time it's for his own good.

I have this issue.

At Wayne Manor, Alfred relays a message to Tim from Batman to pack his things and leave Gotham. The boy asks why Bruce ordered this, but Alfred doesn’t know. All he was told was to take Tim out of the city and not to stop until it felt safe.

Notes of Interest:

1) We don’t know where Tim and Alfred go, or even which direction they take.

2) What Tim doesn't know is that Batman has deduced that Joker is still alive, and that is why Bruce wants Tim out of Gotham.

WTF? Moment: Tim’s reduced to four panels this issue, but those panels make clear the urgency of the situation and Bruce’s intention to keep Tim safe.

Robin III Part 13: Batman: Bride of the Demon (1990)

Tim’s education expands beyond Gotham as he helps fight a classic villain with global ambitions.

I have this issue.

Bruce takes Tim to a lecture by Dr. Brant Carmody about global warming and its effects on the environment. Afterwards, he meets Carmody’s son, (Brant Jr.) and they hit it off…until Tim sees the Bat-Signal overhead. He follows Bruce back to the limousine, and listens as Alfred is told to take Tim back to the manor. Tim asks to go along with Batman, but agrees to stay with Alfred.

Later, Tim radios Batman and asks how he could help. Batman describes the riddle the police needed him for, but Tim can’t solve it.

The next time we see him, the Batcave is under attack. Tim sneaks in and causes a distraction by using the Giant Penny to knock down as many intruders as possible. Batman swoops in and grabs him before the Penny falls over, but the Bat-line is cut and Tim lands hard. He’s grabbed by one of the bad guys, and learns that the man behind the invasion is Ra’s al Ghul. He listens as Batman agrees to be knocked unconscious, watches it happen, and sees Batman dragged away. Tim is then brought outside along with Alfred, and Ra’s tells them both that their lives are spared as a reward to their loyalty to Batman. The villains return to the plane and take off.

Hours later, Tim is in the Batcave with Alfred as the plane – and Batman – return.

Notes of Interest:

1) This is the first time Tim meets Ra’s al Ghul.

2) The riddle Tim can’t solve involves a special hand of poker – the Dead Man’s Hand.

WTF? Moment: So…Ra’s al Ghul is the third of Batman’s older foes Tim faces. I like that. There’s a sense of family between Bruce and Ra’s - and this story deals with that – and having Tim in the mix makes sense. But…

WTF? Moment #2: …the writing here is downright terrible. Just god-awful. Here’s an example: Tim is training to be Robin. He knows that Bruce has been called via the Bat-signal. He also knows that Bruce explicitly told him to stay with Alfred. So why in God’s name would he a) use the radio to ask…once again…if he could help, and b) almost call him Bruce over the radio? Tim is way smarter than that.

WTF? Moment #3: Tim mentions that he knew what cards made up the Dead Man’s Hand but couldn’t make the connection with the condition of the dead body Batman was called in on - showing that as smart as Tim is, he’s still new to thinking like a detective.

WTF? Moment #4: I put this Graphic Novel here in Tim’s chronology because he mentions Penguin by name in the past tense – meaning he’d already faced Penguin prior to this story.

Robin III Part 12: Batman #449 (Late June, 1990)

Tim’s idea proves to be a good one.

I have this issue.

Tim helps Alfred clean bird droppings out of the Batcave as Bruce confirms that Penguin is using sonics to control the birds. A fiber-optic camera on an owl’s collar provides the villain video surveillance. Tim believes that the video signal can be traced back to the source, but Bruce argues that the signal hasn’t been used since the last attack.

Bruce suits up again and heads out, but he orders Tim to cross check Batman’s files of known criminals with incoming flights to see if any are arriving to bid on Penguin’s technology. They learn that an Irish “person of interest” is landing in Gotham shortly, so Tim and Alfred scope out the airport. They find their man, and Tim radios Batman with the news, only to find Bruce already at the airport following another potential buyer.

The three of them then head to the Waynetech hangar. Tim prepares to triangulate the Penguin’s signal once the demonstration begins, and relay the information to Bruce – who flies off in a helicopter to follow the signal once Tim points him in the right direction.

Notes of Interest:

1) Bruce realizes that Tim’s idea to follow the signal was a good one, and tells him so.

WTF? Moment: I like that Bruce gives Tim credit for his idea. It shows that Bruce won’t dismiss anything, and encourages the lad to continue to contribute where he can. 

Robin III Part 11: Detective Comics #615 (Early June, 1990)

As Batman gets closer to stopping Penguin, Tim helps figure out how the birds are controlled.

I have this issue.

Tim is with Alfred at Wayne Manor when he sees Batman, swarmed by birds, approaching on foot. They race to the Batcave, but are ordered to go back into the house. Tim and Alfred do so, and the birds continue their attack until Penguin’s signal is canceled out.

Notes of Interest:

1) Tim guesses correctly that ultra-sonics are what jammed the signal.

2) He also acts quickly when he sees Batman in trouble.

WTF? Moment: Tim should have shouted his idea of ultra-sonics to Batman from the top of the stairs; it would have given Bruce more time to act…and shown off more of Tim’s deductive skills.

Robin III Part 10: Batman #448 (Early June, 1990)

Tim assists with one of Batman’s oldest foes.

I have this issue.

Batman returns to the Batmobile and informs Tim that the Penguin was behind the recent avian attack at the Gotham Stock Exchange. Tim questions Penguin’s motives and Bruce explains that Oswald’s appearance works in his favor – hiding the brilliant mind behind his actions.

There’s news of a major accident in the Washington Tunnel…involving birds…and Batman and Tim investigate. Tim’s instructed to stay in the car, and he does, but when birds are sighted attacking the West Side Power Plant, Tim relays the message.

They arrive too late to stop the birds, and again Tim stays in the car as Batman talks with Commissioner Gordon – Penguin has made his affections known to Sherry West, a popular soap opera star.

Back at the Batcave, Alfred bickers to Bruce about computer games while Tim learns that sometimes the best way to problem solve is with a little distraction and downtime to gain a fresh perspective.

They’ve learned that Penguin has the ability to control birds, and used the Washington Tunnel and West Side Power Plant to let people know it. The next step is to figure out how he’s doing it, and who…if anyone…he’s considering selling the technology to.

Tim mentions the actress, but Batman dismisses it saying Tim’s too young to understand Penguins motives there. Tim stays with Alfred, and Batman drives off.

Notes of Interest:

1) This is the first time Tim faces the Penguin.

2) Tim learns two major things here: appearances can be misleading, and distraction can lead to insight.

3) We also see Tim continue to follow orders…even when it means staying in the car.

WTF? Moment: Penguin is a good choice among Batman’s older foes for Tim to face early in his training. He isn’t as crazy as Joker, as violent as Killer Croc or as “mature” as Catwoman.

WTF? Moment #2: Artist Jim Aparo better be careful – it took me a second to realize Tim was crossing his fingers instead of giving Batman “the bird” so to speak…

Robin III Part 9: Batman #445 (March, 1990)

Tim makes a friend at school while trying to get a ride back to Wayne Manor.

I have this issue.

Tim’s at school and calls Alfred to see if he can return to Wayne Manor for more training over the weekend. Alfred tells him that Bruce is away in Moscow, but agrees to pick Tim up on Saturday.

There’s a knock on his door, and Tim opens it to find Rebecca Curley - a young girl who’s looking for her dorm room. Tim helps her out by saying that the girls’ dormitory is one street over, and that her grade would most likely be on the first floor. She thanks him for the directions and Tim offers to meet her at the cafeteria sometime.

Notes of Interest:

1) Tim’s appearance here is all of one page, but we see some of his dorm room and his general friendliness towards other students.

WTF? Moment: I’m not sure of the significance is of Tim meeting Rebecca other than showing how “nice” he is as a person. I did like the fact that he didn’t bat an eye at the shirt one of the other boys was wearing…

Robin III Part 8: Batman #444 (February, 1990)

Tim returns to Wayne Manor…more specifically the Batcave…and continues his training as he helps Bruce pin down the identity of Crimesmith.

I have this issue.

In the Batcave, Tim watches on as Bruce pulls a computer printout from the wallet of Crimesmith’s latest victim. On it are some smudges that Bruce explains could help identify which printer it came from – much like detectives did with typewriters in “the old days”. Bruce then uses the Bat-computer to identify anyone with enough experience in Microcircuitry, Physics and Chemistry to cause a person to combust instantaneously that also has access to the chemicals required.

As the computer does its work, Bruce explains to Tim that training the body is just as important as training the mind and they work out for a while until the Bat-computer signals that it finished its search and compiled a list of names. Tim notices the name Jeffrey Fraser…a man Bruce hired to repair Waynetech’s public image…and follows Bruce back into Wayne Manor where he compares the victim’s printout to some of Dr. Fraser’s notes. Bruce confirms that Crimesmith’s printout came from Fraser’s printer.

Tim is asked to compile a list of all property owned by Fraser and his company…then tell Alfred take him back to his school. His training for the weekend is over.

Notes of Interest:

1) Tim explains that his father is a corporate executive and travels all over the world.

2) We also learn that his parents have been fighting recently and they travel together as a way to work things out.

WTF? Moment: Wasn’t it just last issue where Bruce said he wouldn’t start training Tim until Alfred thought he was ready?  THAT sure was quick…

Robin III Part 7: Batman #443 (January, 1990)

Tim gains a quick lesson before returning to school.

I have this issue.

Bruce explains to Tim that the main idea behind fighting an enemy is to minimize the danger for both civilians and themselves. Tim then asks to go back out as Robin, but Bruce tells him it won’t be for a while - Alfred will be giving the lessons until he feels Tim is ready for Bruce. Tim accepts the terms and Alfred takes him back to his boarding school.  

Notes of Interest:

1) Tim wants to train right away, but wants to become Robin so badly he’s willing to follow Bruce’s orders.

2) Obviously, DC is taking their sweet time giving us a third Robin.

WTF? Moment: We only see Tim in six panels? Talk about taking their time, but…

WTF? Moment #2: …how f**king cool is that top left image on the cover?

Hey...Paramount...WTF?

Paramount has been doing some strange things lately.

Some of them, like postponing Michael Bay's Non-Teenage, Non-Mutant, Ninja Alien crapfest, are good.

Others, like postponing G. I. Joe: Retaliation simply suck.

What's going on over there?

Two Words...

The Avengers

 

See, Paramount made a deal with Disney for distribution rights of all future Marvel Studios films. (Paramount had the rights throughout "Phase One" up to now, and got a smaller percentage as a result with Avengers.)

Obviously, Paramount is looking for more projects that can bring in the same level of coin.

I wish they just stuck with what they had back in the day...

   

and not let them go to waste...

                   

But there's hope...



...so we'll see.

Robin III Part 6: Batman #442 (December, 1989)

Tim proves first-hand that Batman needs Robin.

I have this issue in the A Lonely Place of Dying Trade Paperback.

Tim and Alfred are in the Batcave, worrying about what may have happened to Bruce and Dick. Unable to sit by and wait, Tim suits up as Robin and has Alfred take him to where Dick’s tracking signal stopped. They arrive just as Two-Face blows up a building with Batman and Nightwing still inside. Two-Face fights him, believing his foe to be the previous Robin, but notices enough differences to suspect the truth…he faces a different kid.

Tim dodges enough attacks and gets in a few shots before Alfred steps in, trying to protect the boy.

Two-Face runs off, and Tim finds a way into the demolished building – a coal chute too small for anyone but him to fit through.

He finds Batman and Nightwing pinned under some crossbeams and manages to clear enough debris for them to get out. Batman, seeing a boy dressed as Robin, takes the mask off Tim’s face and tells him there is no Robin anymore. Tim shouts after him that he knows who Batman and Nightwing really are…and what happened to Jason.

Back outside the building, Nightwing recovers as Alfred tells Bruce about how well Tim fought against Two-Face. Dick mentions Tim’s detective instincts. Alfred comments on Tim’s acrobatic ability. Bruce then loses his cool and questions their thinking. He’s not willing to put another child’s life in jeopardy after Jason…but then Tim speaks up. He tells Bruce that Robin’s existence is as essential as Batman’s because the Boy Wonder is a symbol that needs to show the world that justice can’t be stopped.

With Two-Face still on the loose, they put the discussion on the back burner. Tim tells them that he slipped a tracer on the villain while they fought, and they follow the signal to a junkyard. Tim helps out a little, but mostly stays out of the way while Bruce and Dick take Two-Face down.

Bruce, Dick, Alfred and Tim return to Wayne Manor and continue the Robin debate. The only one dragging his feet on the idea is Bruce, but he comes to the conclusion that Tim is right.

Robin is a symbol…one as powerful as Batman…that needs to continue.

Notes of Interest:

1) At this point, Tim knows that Bruce is Batman but not why he became Batman.

2) It isn’t said outright, but it appears that Two-Face overhears Alfred call Tim by name.

3) Tim tells Bruce that he’s become more violent ever since Jason’s death, and needs a Robin around to make him “slow down just a bit and wonder what could happen”.

WTF? Moment: This whole issue shows off how cool Tim is. Sure, he goes toe-to-toe against Two-Face, but more importantly he stands up to Batman. Not Bruce…Batman. That one panel with Tim standing bright and colorful in front of a shadowed Batman – pointing a finger at him no less – speaks volumes.

WTF? Moment #2: Tim gets the nod of approval from both Dick and Alfred. This was done mostly to appease the readers, but still makes perfect sense.

WTF? Moment #3: Just to be clear – from the beginning of this storyline, Tim’s goal was to reunite Batman and Robin by convincing Dick to become Robin again. Dick refused, saying that he’s an adult now and being Robin again would mean going back in time (roughly four years) and be a kid again. Since Tim was convinced Batman needed a Robin in his life, he had to take up the mantle himself. It’s the support of Dick and Alfred, along with Bruce’s willingness to try, that convinces Tim that he could do it.     

WTF? Moment #4: Is there a better way to get new readers invested in the Post-Crisis DC Universe than to introduce a new Robin? No, there isn’t.

Father's Day 2012...

So, having mentioned several female Avengers that took on the challenge of motherhood for Mother's Day, I felt obligated to do the same for Father's Day. But there's Amazing Spider-Man and The Dark Knight Rises coming out next month...decisions, decisions...

Aww, screw it...

1) Thomas Wayne


There's been a revelation recently in the DCnU that affects Bruce Wayne. I won't mention it here, but whether or not you accept that as canon, this man is still Bruce Wayne's father. A man with old money that decided to become a doctor rather than follow in his family's footsteps. His death...in whatever DCU you accept...was essential for Bruce Wayne becoming Batman.

2) Scott Lang


The second (and best) person to don the ridicule...I mean persona...of Ant-Man had a daughter named Cassie who grows up and becomes Stature, a member of the Young Avengers, after her father's death.

3) Jim Gordon


While his relationship with Barbara Gordon depends on which universe you follow, (is she his daughter or his niece?) there's no doubt that he has a son - James Gordon Junior. If you don't know Gordon's relationship to Batman...stop right now and visit your local comic shop damnit.

4) Luke Cage
     

This former Hero for Hire became an Avenger in New Avengers #1 (January, 2005). He married Jessica Jones and has a daughter named Danielle.

5) Jack Drake


Jack is the father of Tim Drake, the third (and best) Robin. He was a Gotham businessman until the Obeah Man killed his wife and left him in a wheelchair. He fought against Bruce regarding Tim's activities as Robin, but eventually accepted his son's decision. Jack died in Identity Crisis #5, but he really shouldn't have.

6) Mister Fantastic


You really think I'd mention Sue on Mother's Day and not include Reed today?

7) Bruce Wayne

Yep...depending on your universe. First, on Earth-2 Bruce married Catwoman and they had a daughter named Helena Wayne who became Huntress. Then, in Kingdom Come, he had a son with Talia al Ghul named Ibm, al Xu'ffasch who was a member of Lex Luthor's Mankind Liberation Front. Now his (and Talia's) son's name is Damian, and is the current Robin.

8) Spider-Man


Back in my days as a Marvel Zombie, Peter Parker was married to Mary Jane Watson (an inspiration for dorks everywhere) and as far as I'm concerned, they're still married. (Suck it Mephisto!) And they have a daughter...May Parker...Spider-Girl...and there's nothing you can say to change my mind (covers ears) la-la-la-I-can't-hear-you...

and finally...

9) Stan Lee


I know this is a cheap one, but this man is partly responsible for creating The Entire Marvel Universe! Without Stan, there's no Fantastic Four, no Spider-Man, no X-Men, no Avengers, no Hulk, you know the rest.

And for the record...he has a daughter - Joan.

So...Ant-Man or Guardians of the Galaxy?

I mentioned my thoughts on a Black Panther movie a couple of days ago, and I started thinking...which would make a better final pre-Avengers 2 "Phase-Two" film...

                    or                     

Each has their merits...

Ant-Man (Hank Pym) was a founding member of The Avengers, but is really a scientist who accidentally discovered a means to shrink a human being down to the size of an ant. His helmet is what allows him to make ants do what he wants.

I've said before that Pym should be introduced in IM3, and I stand by that - meaning that like Black Panther in Cap 2, Pym would be introduced to the audience in a sequel first (where he discovers Pym Particles), and then get his own film (where he'd could be "asked" by Fury to infiltrate an A.I.M. complex and gather some data...and have help from Black Widow and/or Hawkeye).

As for Janet Van Dyne...The Wasp (because let's face it, you can't have him without her)...she could be anyone from Pym's assistant, to a financial backer, to a random S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, to Ant-Man's handler - like Natasha was for Tony in Iron Man 2.

In the other corner, we have the Guardians. Kevin Feige mentioned them as a way to expand the MMU (his MCU) into outer space and open the door for more alien species like the Kree.

Not a bad idea, but the Guardians aren't just from space...

They're from the future (the 31st Century)...

An alternate future...

...where humans colonized other planets within our Solar System - Mercury, Pluto and Jupiter among them (back when Pluto was a planet). An alien race called the Badoon came along and essentially kicked our collective asses. The Guardians were formed by surviving members of the colonies and other alien species who fell victim to the Badoon.

In the end, they find the Badoon, defeat them and then face a villain named Korvac.



Now Korvac has the potential to be an Avengers villain in Avengers 2, but there's still the whole alternate future timeline thing. I suppose it could be explained in Thor 2 that Mjolnir allows Thor to travel through time as well as space, and that's where we'd meet the Guardians, but it's a reach at best.

Plus, it wouldn't explain how Korvac could follow Thor back through time and space to reach 20th Century Earth and kill the Avengers (which he did in the books) only to "restore the spark of life" in their bodies before dying himself (which he also did in the books).

Wasn't the whole point of these films to make them...dare I say it...grounded in reality?

As cool as all this might look on screen, I just can't get my head around how Marvel Studios could integrate this within the Marvel Movie Universe.

So in conclusion, my cash lands squarely in the Ant-Man ticket booth, because I'll take Hank Pym over Vance Astro, Charlie-27, Martinex T'Naga, Nikki, Yondu Udonta, Stakar and Aleta any day.

And don't get me started on that new team with Rocket Raccoon...not ever...

In Marvel Studios I Trust

Robin III Part 5: The New Titans #61 (December, 1989)

Tim learns more about Bruce and Dick from Alfred.

I have this issue in the A Lonely Place of Dying Trade Paperback.

Tim tells Dick that Batman needs a Robin around so he can have someone to care about, and someone to care about him. Dick leaves, and Alfred is left to comfort the boy. They spend the afternoon talking about the complicated relationship between Bruce and Dick.

Later, Alfred informs Tim that Dick just activated his homing signal…and it was quickly cut off.

Notes of Interest:

1) Tim shares Alfred’s concern for Bruce and Dick as well as the idea that Bruce does need someone around.

WTF? Moment: In addition to connecting Tim to Dick Grayson, Marv Wolfman and George Perez show a friendship developing between Alfred and Tim. It works. I know I’m dating myself, but it kind of reminds me of the middle seasons of M*A*S*H* where Col. Sherman Potter bonds with Radar. The old and young (or old and new, depending on your interpretation) are working together to understand and try to control the insanity around them, not just from the war but from the doctors and nurses of the camp whom they both care for.

Black Panther…The Movie

There’s talk that Marvel Studios is planning to have Black Panther be one of the two non-sequel films in “Phase Two” of their film franchises.

It makes sense. Ever since Africa appeared on the map behind Nick Fury and Tony Stark near the end of Iron Man 2, fans like me were wondering when Marvel Studios would get around to it.

What worries me is how Marvel Studios plans on introducing the character…

If we assume that all of the “Phase Two” movies take place after The Avengers (a logical assumption, because Iron Man 3, Thor 2 and Cap 2 must be), the challenge would be in connecting events resulting from the Chitauri invasion with Africa.

But, since Africa appears on the map behind Nick Fury and Tony Stark near the end of Iron Man 2, we know that S.H.I.E.L.D. has an interest in Africa before the Chitauri invasion.

So, Marvel Studios has a decision to make. They could…

a) have Black Panther in his own movie that takes place before The Avengers.

In other words, Kevin Feige would mess with the MMU timeline some more (like he did with IM2, Thor and Incredible Hulk). While not unprecedented, this could wind up adding confusion to the audience’s understanding of the chain of events in the MMU.

b) have Black Panther in his own movie that takes place after The Avengers.

The problem here is introducing a brand new character that would have no connection to anything else in the MMU up to this point..and wouldn't explain Africa’s significance on the map.

Or…

c) have Black Panther appear within a sequel first (most likely Cap 2) and then give him his own movie?

My money is on option c. It makes the most sense to introduce him in a supportive role first, and then follow with a separate film.

So what about the map in IM2?

Maybe S.H.I.E.L.D. was looking for sources of Vibranium and learned there was some in Africa but couldn't follow up on it because of Thor’s actions in New Mexico and the Chitauri?

It's possible. Now, about the plot...

In Cap 2, Fury would contact Cap and explain that S.H.I.E.L.D.'s been looking at Wakanda as a possible source for more Vibranium. Cap would then be “asked” to look into a possible trade agreement with the African nation since his shield is made of the same stuff. Cap would agree to go; meet T’Chaka; they’d argue…and fight…until Klaw arrives looking to enslave everyone and take possession of the Vibranium mines. Cap would help out, but T’Chaka would be killed.  T’Challa would then become the new Black Panther, take Klaw’s hand off (like in the comics) and establish trade relations with S.H.I.E.L.D.

Black Panther could then go several ways…

1) T’Challa returns with Cap to America, meets S.H.I.E.L.D. and Fury, and winds up becoming a potential Avenger in the sequel.

2) T’Challa stays in Africa, defends Wakanda against Erik Killmonger or  Klaw (with the sonic blaster this time), and finds a danger that causes him to contact his new friends in America…making him a potential Avenger in the sequel.

Whatever Marvel Studios decides, it would be best for all if they firmly establish "Phase Two" as  post-Avengers, and use Thor and the Chitauri as reasons for not visiting Africa until now.

In Marvel Studios I Trust...

Robin III Part 4: Batman #441 (November, 1989)

Tim tells Dick of their connected past.

I have this issue in the A Lonely Place of Dying Trade Paperback.

Tim introduces himself to Alfred and Dick and reveals to them that he’s the young boy in the photograph taken the day Dick’s parents were killed. He also explains how he was able to deduce Batman and Robin’s true identities. Dick is impressed, and asks Tim what he wants from him. Tim tells him that Batman needs Dick’s help - but as Robin. Dick agrees that Bruce needs help, and brings Tim to the Batcave.

Tim is awestruck.

Dick leaves to help Bruce…as Nightwing…and Tim shouts after him that Batman needs Robin.

Notes of Interest:

1) This is the first time Tim enters Wayne Manor and the Batcave.

2) He also meets Alfred for the first time.

3) Tim is thirteen years old, an A student, has great deduction skills and is interested in a wide range of subjects including art and music.

4) Tim shows Alfred and Dick his copy of the photo last seen in Batman #436…hanging on a wall in Wayne Manor.

WTF? Moment: According to Tim, roughly four years have passed since Dick became Robin. Really? Four years? That’s a lot to take in.