Robin III Part 52: Detective Comics #646 (July, 1992)

Tim gets a post-graduate course on crime in Gotham City.

I have this issue.

Tim tries to get Driscoll back inside the building but doesn’t make it in time – Galvan electrocutes him on the spot.

Bruce goes after Galvan and gets temporarily blinded. Tim follows the criminal, but can’t reach Galvan before he starts a fire in the middle of the street. When Gotham Fire and Police arrive, Tim goes with Bruce to the Batmobile and head to Police Headquarters to save Galvan’s next target …Gordon.  They arrive to see Gotham’s finest surrounding the darkened building, and head inside.

Tim waits in the wings before taking a shot at Galvan and gets thrown against a firehose. He grabs the hose and goes after Galvan when Electrocutioner grabs him. Tim knocks the villain out, and prepares to shoot water at Galvan when he discovers that the water pressure’s been shut down. After taking a jolt from Galvan, Bruce arrives and removes the device regulating the killer’s electricity.

Bruce turns his attention on Tim, and reprimands the boy for his somewhat jovial attitude towards Galvan…then quickly apologizes for overreacting.

The violence over, Tim (along with Bruce) swings away into the night.

Notes of Interest:

1) This issue takes place immediately after Detective Comics #645.

2) We do see a bit more humor from Tim, which could be considered a defense mechanism – especially since…

WTF? Moment: …Tim was holding what remained of Driscoll’s arm after Galvan killed him. That’s just gross. Good thing Tim was wearing his insulated suit.

WTF? Moment #2: Bruce reprimanding Tim for his behavior is bulls#!t enough. But doing it in front of Gordon? No way. Bruce should have held it together until they were alone. And even then, he would have been wrong…which I’m glad writer Chuck Dixon made him realize so quickly. Honestly, I think Tim did the best he could. Remember – this is the first time Tim’s been up close and personal with a murder victim. Driscoll didn’t just die in front of Tim. He was killed while Tim was holding onto his arm.