Robin III Part 16: Detective Comics #618 (Late July, 1990)

How Tim spent his summer vacation...

I have this issue in the Robin: Tragedy & Triumph Trade Paperback.

Tim’s on school vacation and is spending it at Wayne Manor (where else?). A postcard arrives from his parents – forwarded by the school - saying they’re in the Caribbean for the next week or two.

Meanwhile, he and Bruce are tracking down a computer fraudster who’s stolen over ten million dollars from various bank accounts over the past few weeks. While Batman follows leads on the street, Tim’s been in the cave hacking into the bank’s system to track the next “withdrawal”. As they wait, Tim turns on the television for a Sherlock Holmes rerun when news breaks about the missing plane carrying Tim’s parents. In shock, Tim returns to his room, fearing that the plane went down.

Notes of Interest:

1) It’s clear that Tim’s looking forward to becoming Robin, saying that “one day [he’ll] be as good as Jason”.

2) Tim admits that hacking into the bank’s computer system is illegal, showing his moral compass is somewhat skewed – he’ll do a “bad” thing for a good reason.

3) Despite his feelings about his parents’ constant arguing, he loves them very much.

4) This is the first time Tim's parents - Jack and Janet - are mentioned by name.

WTF? Moment: “As good as Jason?” Really? Uh-uh. No way. Considering he’s already met Dick, and has a stronger connection with him than with Jason, wouldn’t Tim want to be more like the Robin Dick was?

WTF? Moment #2: Writer Alan Grant does a good job showing Tim’s commitment to becoming Robin. He learns his parents’ plane is missing, and fears they may be dead, but understands that he has to be strong, be patient, and be there when Batman needs him. Tim is willing to put his personal crisis aside, and do the job. Not bad for a thirteen year old.

WTF? Moment #3: I can see Tim’s school forwarding the mail to Wayne Manor, but that means that a) the school acknowledges that Bruce Wayne is caring for the boy over the summer, and b) Tim’s parents must have approved Tim’s being there; because every…single…time my dork-ette wants to do anything school-related, I have to sign like three pieces of paper.

WTF? Moment #4: Here’s a nit-pick: didn’t the Giant Penny break apart in Batman: Bride of the Demon? Yes…yes it did.